Norwich tennis player 'excited' to compete for UK

Georgia Routledge is a keen player and Lawn Tennis Association Level 2 coach, but never expected to represent her country

A 19-year-old tennis player says competing internationally in the new classification para standing tennis is "life-changing".

Georgia Routledge, from Norwich, has been playing since she was six but "never thought this could be a career".

Para standing tennis is now recognised by the International Tennis Federation and Ms Routledge will be representing Britain at European and World levels.

"Every morning I wake up and just still don't believe it's real," she said.

Recognition of para standing tennis by the International Tennis Federation has opened up opportunities for Ms Routledge

Para standing tennis - also known as adaptive standing tennis - is for people with physical impairments who want to play tennis without the use of a wheelchair.

The sport recently had a boost after the International Tennis Federation recognised the 2024 Para Standing Tennis World Championships for the first time.

• Tennis star Hewett receives OBE at Windsor

• Tennis doubles star prepares for Wimbledon bout

• Hewett can continue in wheelchair tennis

In November, the Lawn Tennis Association held its first para standing tennis festival at the National Tennis Centre in Roehampton, and Ms Routledge was among those attending.

The player, who has cerebral palsy affecting her right arm and leg, said: "It was just really nice to be surrounded by people like myself.

"I'm really excited, if it does come off, then this could be my career."

She recently met Andy Murray, who was supporting the UK's first Para Standing Tennis Festival

The event was supported by three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray and Adam Hills, from Channel Four's The Last Leg.

Ms Routledge is now training five times a week ahead of attending the European Championships in June in Barcelona, and the World Championships in Turin three days later.

But as "the first British female para standing tennis player", she hopes the new classification will encourage more women and girls with disabilities to take up the sport.

Her coach Donna Andrews said: "It's amazing, she's stuck with the sport all this time and now there is this great reward for her to be the best ambassador and a great player."