Schools tennis: Collins helps Britain to Winter Cup finals

It’s been a terrific couple of weeks for Ali Collins, of Dunblane Primary School.

Out in Turkey, she helped Great Britain qualify for this weekend’s finals of the HEAD Tennis Europe 12 and under Winter Cup. Back home, she then scored an upset win in the Scottish 14 and under Championships at Scotstoun Leisure Centre on Sunday.

She was unseeded, but added the title to the 12 and under event she captured last year.

The only Scot in the GB team in the qualification event in Istanbul, Ali played her part in defeating Bulgaria and Romania to make it through to the finals starting in Sheffield on Friday.

With a place in the top two assured, Ali had to pull out of the final match against Slovenia – GB lost 3-0 – as she had a back injury.

Just 11 years old, Ali is a member of the Tennis Scotland Performance Programme and trains at the Gannochy National Tennis Centre.

Of course, Dunblane is famous for producing the Murray brothers – Andy and Jamie – and Ali has received support from their mother, Judy. She also gains huge support from her school.