Hampstead tennis ace Danny Ward has had a hugely successful 2017 season, writes Will Perridge.

The 45-year-old is the oldest player on the International Tennis Federation’s over-35 tour, but has defied the odds to keep winning tournaments.

He has improved his world ranking to the top 30, but admits it is getting harder with age.

“I’ve won the ITF singles and doubles tournament at Welwyn Garden City, the ITF doubles at Tunbridge Wells and the ITF singles and doubles in Felixstowe,” said Ward.

“I then won the ITF singles and doubles event at Gerrards Cross and my aim is to continue next year and break the top 20. What happens when you play tennis is when you get to a certain age your body takes longer to recover.

“I’m probably going to play nationals, which is an ITF grade tournament which is in Tipton in January. And then I’ll probably play the grass court nationals which are at Wimbledon which I won previously a few years ago.

“And then I’ll probably go abroad and play as well. I went to Spain a few weeks ago; I lost in the final of an ITF grade two tournament to a Davis Cup player.”

Former national champion and ATP world-ranked player Ward represented Great Britain at the World Tennis Championships earlier in his career and is the owner of Mercury Tennis Club in Hampstead Garden Suburb.

And he is delighted at just how well the club is doing, adding: “We took over the dilapidated site a number of years ago and now it boasts a thriving coaching programme catering for all standards, membership and various teams that compete in the Middlesex leagues.

“Things are going very well. Membership is growing all the time; we’re getting more kids into tennis, more adults into tennis and turning beginners in to advanced players.

“We’re hoping in future to make improvements to the clubhouse and probably proper floodlights are the way forward. That’s what we’re hoping in the future.”

“I have to give a special mention to Colin Church, owner of Ergotec Health Studio, Belsize Park for assisting with the recovery process for my body, after each tournament.

“Colin is current mens’ singles champion at Mercury Tennis Club.”

See mercurytennisclub.com or call 07921 675206 for more details.