Teenager Ruben Harris was thrilled to have the opportunity to play on the hallowed turf of Wimbledon’s Aorangi Courts.

The 16-year-old from Canterbury’s Polo Farm Sports Club featured in the men’s wheelchair Finals of the Play Your Way to Wimbledon event, which is powered by Vodafone - the largest individual mass-participation UK tennis competition.

This year saw the competition open up to more players - with three disability events split between visual impairment, learning disability and wheelchair tennis categories, as well as an adult doubles pathway.

He said: “It’s a great environment and it’s a very special place.

“I played pretty well but it’s my first time playing this tournament on grass, I’ve trained on it a few times.

“It was very different. You can't move as fast which makes it harder and conditions outside have been quite windy.

“I got to see Alfie [Hewett, a seven-time singles wheelchair Grand Slam winner] and Gordon [Reid, a two-time Grand Slam singles winner] and it was so nice to just have them here.”

First launched in 2022, the competition is delivered by Vodafone in partnership with the LTA and The All England Lawn Tennis Club, forming part of the brand’s ongoing commitment to support grassroots tennis in the UK, whilst encouraging more people to pick up a racket.

Five-time Wimbledon wheelchair doubles champion Reid was thrilled to see the expansion of the categories.

He said: “It has been fantastic to see Play Your Way to Wimbledon, powered by Vodafone, expand the categories this year to include wheelchair, visually impaired and learning disabilities tennis.

“For me, the chance to see these opportunities being offered to a more diverse range of people is incredible and will help to encourage more people to get involved in tennis.”

Former British No.1 and Play Your Way to Wimbledon ambassador Laura Robson ran a coaching clinic in the week to support the tournament and its aims of inspiring generations to continue playing tennis.

She said: “It’s just so cool to get the chance to play on these courts at Wimbledon. I still get a buzz every time I walk out there, so I can't imagine how they’re feeling.

“I played Road to Wimbledon when I was much younger and I’m still friends with some of the people that I played against.

“It’s amazing to see how much it’s grown over the years and with the new categories this year it’s bigger and better.

“Growing the game involves letting people enjoy themselves on court and letting themselves have as much fun as possible so they want to come back and do it all over again next year.”

Play Your Way to Wimbledon, powered by Vodafone, is the UK’s largest individual mass participation tennis competition that gives players an opportunity to follow in their heroes’ footsteps and compete at Wimbledon. The All England Club and LTA are proud to partner with Vodafone to expand the competition to more players in 2023 with an adult doubles pathway, alongside visual impairment, learning disability and wheelchair tennis categories.