Harriet Dart has been hailed as leading the exciting current crop of British players after winning Women’s Player of the Year at the 2023 LTA Tennis Awards.

The British number four was recognised for a stellar 2022 which saw her break into the top 100 in the world for the first time, as well as making a maiden appearance at the quarter-final stage of a WTA tournament. 

And LTA President Sandi Procter celebrated Dart’s attitude for representing the best of British. 

“She has brought some excitement, hasn’t she?” she said. “We've had excitement through Andy [Murray] for a few years, and Jo Konta.  

“But she is the current excitement. She is not the only one, we've got a whole raft of them now. 

“But Harriet just fights with a British ‘go at it’ mentality. She really responds when she is in front of a British crowd and it's been great to see her in the Billie Jean King Cup, she brings such a lot to the team.” 

The LTA Tennis Awards reward and recognise tennis volunteers, coaches, officials and players across Britain, and their associated venues. 

The ceremony was hosted by LTA President Sandi Procter and presented by Leon Smith OBE, with a number of high-profile guests in attendance, including Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Gloucester.

Hamstead's Dart represented Britain on the world stage at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals as the team reached their first semi-final since 1981 with the team helped by her defeat of world no.13 Paula Badosa. 

Accepting the award, Dart said: “Thank you for the award, I had a great 2022, I qualified for the Australian Open, I had a great run at Indian Wells, that was a massive step forward for me, breaking into the top 100. 

“I had a great grass season, first top 10 win, overall, it was a great year and I hope to do that again.” 

Dart was recognised alongside Men's Player of the Year Cameron Norrie and Wheelchair Player of the Year Alfie Hewett with all three taking to the hallowed All England courts for this year’s Wimbledon which got underway on Monday. 

Procter also reflected on the awards ceremony, which was held at the National Tennis Centre in Roehampton. 

She said: “I found the whole thing quite emotional. The inspirational stories behind all the winners and runners-up, and for all that they do, is unbelievable.  

“It just brought tears to my eyes when I listened to all those stories, from the Rising Star of the Year to Les Mellor, who got the Lifetime Achievement award is just incredible.  

“It's so heartwarming, all of it is wonderful.” 

To find out more information about the LTA Tennis Awards or for information on how to play, coach, volunteer or officiate in tennis, head to https://www.lta.org.uk/