Latest news with #W14
South Wales Argus
24-06-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Fearnley hoping for good British fortunes at Wimbledon
Fearnley was one of several home talents to wow the crowd in W14, with compatriot and British No.1 Jack Draper reaching the singles semi-final and he believes their exploits have set the stage for what will be a memorable summer on the lawns of SW19. 'It's always good to have British guys doing well before Wimbledon,' said Fearnley. 'It increases the hype and gives the fans something to watch and look forward to. 'What Jack's doing, being No.4 in the world is exciting and obviously there's myself, Cam and a lot of great wild cards that have been named. 'British tennis is in a good position, and it's great that it's peaking right before Wimbledon.' Fearnley and Norrie's unsuccessful bid for the final preceded Draper's own defeat to Jiri Lehecka in the final four. The home favourite lost out to the Czech star 6-4 4-6 7-5 in two hours and nine minutes, ensuring that the nation's wait for a first British singles champion at Queen's since Andy Murray in 2016 will extend to a decade. Draper went down a break in the opening set and Lehecka quickly capitalized to ease into the lead. Draper fought back to take the second and set up a grandstand finish in the decider but was unable to repel Lehecka's renewed assault. 'It's my best result here,' said Draper. "I lost to a better player today on the day, missed a couple of shots here and there, and at this level you obviously can't do that. 'I felt like it was a solid week. I didn't play my best tennis, but at the same time seeing the improvements since last year and I gave myself a chance of being in the final tomorrow. 'I didn't quite get over the line but that's tennis really and I'm looking to keep improving from here to hopefully do better at Wimbledon.' Draper cut a frustrated figure following his defeat to Lehecka and his anguish was plain to see after the Czech star denied the main man of British tennis a dream final berth. But Draper insists his frustrations were directed at himself more than anything, apologizing for his loss of added: 'The way I sort of playing at times. I have worked so hard to get myself in that position and I really tried to get myself up and get the energy going. 'I was trying to use everything I could. I tried to compete for every ball but in the end, anger just spilled over a little bit too much.'
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fearnley hoping for good British fortunes at Wimbledon
By Mohamed Hamza Jacob Fearnley hopes he can continue to contribute to good British fortunes ahead of Wimbledon this summer. The 23-year-old began his grass court season with a run to a first ATP Tour singles quarter-final at the LTA's HSBC Championships at Queen's, as well as reaching the doubles semi-finals alongside Cameron Norrie. Advertisement The pair were eventually beaten by doubles specialists Michael Venus and Nikola Mektić 6-3 7-5 but Fearnley took plenty of positives from his week in the capital amidst strong mood music amongst the British hopefuls in the men's draw. Fearnley was one of several home talents to wow the crowd in W14, with compatriot and British No.1 Jack Draper reaching the singles semi-final and he believes their exploits have set the stage for what will be a memorable summer on the lawns of SW19. 'It's always good to have British guys doing well before Wimbledon,' said Fearnley. 'It increases the hype and gives the fans something to watch and look forward to. 'What Jack's doing, being No.4 in the world is exciting and obviously there's myself, Cam and a lot of great wild cards that have been named. Advertisement 'British tennis is in a good position, and it's great that it's peaking right before Wimbledon.' Fearnley and Norrie's unsuccessful bid for the final preceded Draper's own defeat to Jiri Lehecka in the final four. The home favourite lost out to the Czech star 6-4 4-6 7-5 in two hours and nine minutes, ensuring that the nation's wait for a first British singles champion at Queen's since Andy Murray in 2016 will extend to a decade. Draper went down a break in the opening set and Lehecka quickly capitalized to ease into the lead. Draper fought back to take the second and set up a grandstand finish in the decider but was unable to repel Lehecka's renewed assault. Advertisement 'It's my best result here,' said Draper. "I lost to a better player today on the day, missed a couple of shots here and there, and at this level you obviously can't do that. 'I felt like it was a solid week. I didn't play my best tennis, but at the same time seeing the improvements since last year and I gave myself a chance of being in the final tomorrow. 'I didn't quite get over the line but that's tennis really and I'm looking to keep improving from here to hopefully do better at Wimbledon.' Draper cut a frustrated figure following his defeat to Lehecka and his anguish was plain to see after the Czech star denied the main man of British tennis a dream final berth. Advertisement But Draper insists his frustrations were directed at himself more than anything, apologizing for his loss of composure. He added: 'The way I sort of playing at times. I have worked so hard to get myself in that position and I really tried to get myself up and get the energy going. 'I was trying to use everything I could. I tried to compete for every ball but in the end, anger just spilled over a little bit too much.'
South Wales Argus
23-06-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Queen's is 'home sweet home' for Alcaraz after triumph
The 2023 champion defeated Lehecka 7-5 6-7(5) 6-2 at the Andy Murray Arena to take back his West Kensington crown after last year's second-round exit to British No.1 Jack Draper. It was double delight for the Spanish superstar in W14, with the result a career record 18th successive victory on all surfaces, following his epic victory at Roland Garros, and Alcaraz was quick to praise the Queen's lawns for allowing him to showcase the best of his tennis as he ramps up to defend his Wimbledon title at this summer's Championships. "It's really special, this trophy and this tournament,' said Alcaraz. 'I'm happy to lift this trophy once again. I have to say Jiri has had an incredible week – his level is really high – it's a nightmare playing against him. "I have to thank everyone who makes it [Queen's] possible, they all make me feel at home. I came here without expectations, just trying to get used to the grass as much as possible. "I want to say thanks to my team for the whole week and my family and friends. Without them it would not have been possible. It's been really special playing in front of all of you – every year does – and I can't wait to come back next year." Alcaraz needed two hours and ten minutes to fend off Lehecka, clinching the opening set after a break in the penultimate game. The world No.2 picked up where he left off in the second by serving up four aces to lead 3-2, only for Lehecka to push the set to a tie-break before firing off an ace of his own to level the match. That, however, proved to be the only high note of the world No.30's battle against Alcaraz, as he was broken by the Spaniard not long into the third set, who then went on to take three games on the bounce to ease into a comfortable 4-1 lead. From there, it was game, set and match but Lehecka – who ended British interest in W14 when he eliminated Draper in Saturday's semi-final – was gracious in defeat, revealing that the result does little to dampen what has been an enjoyable week. "It's tough for me to find some words now, but I'm happy that I had a chance to fight for the title,' conceded Lehecka. 'Obviously, well done to Carlos and his team for doing a great job as always. I gave everything I had - unfortunately it wasn't enough, but it's always great to be back at Queen's. "I want to thank everyone here for making this event possible - to HSBC, the LTA, all the ball kids, all the fans of course, and most importantly - my team". For the latest action on the British summer grass court season, check out the LTA website
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
London school pupils handed detentions for lateness after TfL change bus routes
A north-east London school stopped giving out detentions to late pupils using public transport after realising changes to bus frequencies were impacting how quickly they could get to class. Students at Woodbridge High School in Woodford Green have complained they were being unfairly punished for lateness due to the buses they take not being reliable. Last year, Transport for London (TfL) reduced the frequency of the W14 from three buses an hour to one an hour, while the W12 had a route change, now diverting away from Walthamstow village. Deputy headteacher Jeremy Clifton has now taken action by writing an open letter seen by TfL telling of how the changes to bus frequencies have negatively impacted his students, the London Standard reports. He said that 'buses are frequently delayed and not running to the published times' and that 'late buses mean that we have 30–50 students waiting for long periods at stops'. Mr Clifton said the buses arrived at the end of the school day too full to pick up more passengers. 'I've witnessed buses just driving straight past, not stopping to pick up kids, literally one behind the other at some times,' Mr Clifton told the publication. He added in the open letter obtained by the Standard that the long wait times mean students end up walking home or battling to get onto the bus, 'raising safety concerns as students panic and push to get on the bus, not wanting to be left behind'. Mr Clifton explains he along with other teachers will often help students board the bus at the end of the day, trying to encourage more students to move down the vehicle, which some avoid out of worry they will miss their stop. He also flags that this is particularly concerning during the dark winter months, when 'personal safety can be compromised' by not being able to use the bus. The services affect students both leaving and arriving at school. The letter also states that the detentions for being late 'impacts our relationship with students as they complain about the bus service and say that we are not being fair by punishing them.' The 2,000-student school now no longer gives out detentions for lateness due to public transport as this has been judged as no longer in the student's control, the news outlet reports. Mr Clifton added that elderly and disabled people have also been affected: 'Without a good bus service, you become detached from your community.' Mr Clifton has called upon TfL to create a dedicated end-of-school service for students and wrote in the letter: 'I strongly urge TfL to reconsider introducing the new buses and to restore the W12 and W14 routes to the previous arrangement, or, at the very least, design a more effective route for each service.' Geoff Hobbs, TfL's director of public transport service planning, told The Independent: 'In September, we made changes to the local bus network that increase service by 10 per cent and took account of previous requests for better access to Whipps Cross hospital. 'The bus changes to W12, W13 and W14 mean these routes now run more frequently to major hubs, making it easier to travel in and around the area. 'Many users on route W12 have seen frequencies doubled and W13 passengers can travel to Leyton without changing. On the new route W14, passengers have a higher frequency at the northern end of the route as well as an evening and Sunday frequency for the first time. '26,500 more people now live within one bus journey of Whipps Cross hospital. Electric buses are being phased in as they arrive from manufacturers.' 'We continue to engage with the local community and have met local residents and their representatives. Our focus now is to improve the reliability of these routes." The Independent has contacted Woodbridge High School for further comment.
