RINGWOOD tennis ace Toby Samuel earned rich praise after finishing as runner-up in the 10-and-Under Aegon Winter National Tour Finals.

He was beaten 4-0 4-1 by Arthur Fery from Wimbledon in a hard-fought final at the recent event in London.

Following an impressive run of form throughout the Aegon Winter National Tour over the past few months, the 10-year-old was invited to compete in the prestigious finals competition by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA).

The invitation-only event is the pinnacle of the British winter season and showcases the talent of some of the best young players in the country.

Toby, who trains at West Hants, was one of just 16 players to be involved, having claimed his place by accumulating enough LTA ranking points.

Andrew Lewandowski, the LTA’s head of talent management, said: “To finish runner-up at the prestigious Aegon Winter National Tour Finals is a fantastic achievement for any young player and I am sure Toby will build on this experience.

“The tournament brings together the best boys and girls in the country, who have been playing on this national tour circuit throughout the winter.

“Competition at a young age is vitally important in developing both the tactical and mental competitive qualities the players need to have in place as they progress and start to play inter nationally. There is a long way to go for these players.

“It is a long journey for any player hoping to make an impact on the game but we hope that with the right support, they are given the best possible chance of reaching their full potential.”