My ambition is to play professional tennis and I intend to launch my professional career in September 2016, after I graduate from Clemson University and return to the UK..

I started playing tennis at the age of 3 and have dreamt about playing professionally all my life.

I did play many other sports alongside it, being in the Manchester United and Leeds United mini football academies, as well as representing Yorkshire at cricket, but at 15 I  decided to concentrate solely on my real passion – tennis.

Whilst I  completed my GCSE and ‘A’ Levels, I represented England at U18 level and played ITF events reaching finals and semi-finals in singles and doubles events.

I represented Yorkshire in all age groups in Junior and Senior tennis, reached the semi-finals of the National U18 singles, and the final of the doubles whilst still under 17. I was also the British Colleges National Champion.

I was recruited to go to University in America as a student athlete, which enabled me to continue my degree, alongside 20 hours a week of tennis training in a very strong and competitive college programme.

After a very successful 4 years at two of the top American programmes – one year at the University of Florida as a “Gator” and then three years at Clemson University as a “Tiger” –  I lead the Clemson Tigers in my  Senior year – I am now ready to  embark on a professional career.

My tennis has developed over the last 4 years but the most significant gains have been in my physical and mental development. These will, I hope, take me to the next level.

It is well-documented that to play on the professional circuit costs a minimum of £20,000 a year ($30,000). In the first year this is extremely hard to finance as the earning potential is very low, however successful you are.

I have set up this Pledge Sports Tennis Funding Campaign as one of the many ways I am trying to raise funds to support me on my first year as a professional tennis player.

Any and all donations will be gratefully received.

Thank you for taking the time to read this,

Luke

 

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