PE teacher hails ex-student for Wimbledon title win

Glasspool (left) and Cash (right) made history in the men's doubles final on Saturday as they became the first all-British pair to win in 89 years

"To think a student from Woodrush High School in Wythall can win at Wimbledon - it's just amazing."

PE teacher Joe Maidment is in awe of his former student Lloyd Glasspool, who, alongside his partner Julian Cash, made history on Saturday when they became the first all-British pair to win the men's doubles title at the All England Club for 89 years.

Mr Maidment had travelled to Wimbledon to watch Glasspool, 31, from Redditch, in his second-round match in west London and said his performance throughout the tournament had been "inspirational".

"It should be a message to everyone in the West Midlands to follow their dreams and see what they can achieve," he added.

'I played against the champion'

Mr Maidment said even as a teenager at the school in Worcestershire, Glasspool had always been "level-headed, quietly determined and confident".

"I can now say I've played tennis against a Wimbledon champion. Unfortunately, I did lose 6-0, 6-0, and he was only in year eight at the time.

"I am so, so pleased for him and everyone involved," Mr Maidment added.

He described the title as "the icing on the cake" for the 31-year-old and said after he had now won Wimbledon, Queens and Eastbourne, his former student had secured "the triple crown".

Personal thank you

Mr Maidments said Glasspool, who is a member of the Warwickshire Lawn Tennis Association, had sent a video message to the school from the courts at SW19 ahead of the school's recent annual sports awards.

He added that he also received a personal thank-you message from his former student after Saturday's final.

"I've come a long way since when we played in year seven or eight and I gave you that little thrashing," Glasspool said to him.

"It gave me a nice little confidence boost to go and do great things in the sport.

"I appreciate the support from you and the whole of the Woodrush School," the men's doubles champion added.