News Archive, Category: Tennis

A profile picture of Toby Samuel on the outdoor tennis courts at the University of Bath, where he trains.

French Open debut fuels Team Bath Tennis ace Toby Samuel’s ambition for more Grand Slam appearances

28 May 2026

Team Bath Tennis ace Toby Samuel has set his sights on more Grand Slam appearances after making his debut at the French Open. Samuel, coached by Ian MacDonald and Tiernan Brady at the University of Bath, produced three outstanding performances to become only the fourth British man in 50 years to progress through qualifying and book his place in the main draw at Roland Garros. He faced world number eight Alex de Minaur and acquitted...

Dr Kate Baker presents an UK Sport Elite Training Centre accreditation trophy to Sophie Hamer and Stephen Baddeley of the University of Bath

University of Bath reaccredited as UK Sport Elite Training Centre

24 April 2026

The University of Bath has been reaccredited as a UK Sport Elite Training Centre (ETC), recognising its ongoing role in supporting Olympic and Paralympic athletes to achieve success on the world stage. The accreditation, first awarded in 2023, highlights the University’s contribution to providing world-class daily training environments, bringing together high-quality facilities, expert practitioners and a strong performance culture to support athletes and coaches. As part of the UK Sport network of Elite Training Centres,...

Joyous University of Bath women's hockey players rush to jump on top of their goalkeeper, lying on a blue pitch, after her save sealed victory in the BUCS National Vase final 2026

University of Bath hockey and rugby teams bring home silverware from BUCS Big Wednesday 2026

27 March 2026

There were victories on the hockey and rugby pitches when five University of Bath student sports teams contested national finals at BUCS Big Wednesday 2026. Both of Bath’s hockey 1st teams reached the National Vase Final, with the women sealing the title thanks to 3-2 shootout victory over Exeter 1sts after tying 1-1 in normal time. They had beaten Exeter 2nds in the same way in the semi-finals. [caption id="attachment_72802" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] The University of...

A composite image of (left) Team Bath Tennis player Toby Samuel, holding a trophy, and coach Tiarnan Brady posing for a celebratory selfie; and, right, Team Bath Tennis player Esther Adeshina standing on a blue court, in front of the net, while holding a trophy with both hands.

Back-to-back ATP Tour titles for Toby Samuel as fellow Team Bath Tennis ace Esther Adeshina secures first pro singles triumph

16 March 2026

Toby Samuel made it back-to-back ATP Challenger Tour titles and Esther Adeshina won her first professional singles crown during another outstanding weekend for Team Bath Tennis. In-form Samuel didn’t drop a set as he won the men’s singles title in Hersonissos, Greece for a second successive week, defeating Czechia’s Maxim Mrva 6-2 6-3 in the final to secure his fourth Challenger trophy since November. It stretched Samuel’s unbeaten run to 15 matches and moved the...

Team Bath Tennis player Toby Samuel, left, holds a trophy in his left hand and gives a thumbs up with his right. To his left is touring coach Tiernan Brady. Both are smiling at the camera.

Second tour title win as many weeks lifts Team Bath Tennis star Toby Samuel into world’s top 200 for first time

08 March 2026

Team Bath Tennis ace Toby Samuel has risen into the world’s top 200 for the first time after winning the third ATP Challenger Tour title of his career in Hersonsissos, Greece. Samuel, coached by Ian MacDonald and Tiarnan Brady at the University of Bath, dropped just one set across five matches and was particularly dominant in the closing stages of the tournament, beating home player Stefanos Sakellaridis 6-2 6-0 in the semi-finals before securing the...

A montage of key sporting moments involving the University of Bath during 2025

Global medals, international debuts, innovative new facilities and record-breaking crowds – what a year of sport at University of Bath

23 December 2025

With a new Olympic year about to dawn, it is time to reflect on another memorable 12 months of sport at the University of Bath during 2025. It has been a year where achievement and impact have been measured not just by the traditional yardstick of medals and awards – among them the accolade of The Times and Sunday Times Sport University of the Year 2026 – but also innovation, collaboration and ambition. The UK’s...

Team Bath Tennis player Toby Samuel, right, and his coach Ian MacDonald crouching down next to a tennis net featuring the ATP Challenger Tour logo. Toby is holding a trophy.

Two ATP Challenger Tour titles in as many weeks lifts Team Bath Tennis ace Toby Samuel to new career-high world ranking

30 November 2025

Team Bath Tennis ace Toby Samuel backed up his first ATP Challenger Tour title in fine style by winning a second just a week later. Samuel’s breakthrough success came at the Soma Bay Challenger in Egypt, where he beat second seed Ilia Simakin 6-4 6-4 in his opening match before defeating Peter Fajta 6-3 7-6(4) and Alexandr Binda 6-2 6-3. [caption id="attachment_72491" align="alignright" width="292"] (Above) Toby Samuel celebrates his Soma Bay Challenger success and (top)...

Team Bath Tennis player James Story stands in front of a blue sponsors board holding a trophy. Coach Tiernan Brad stands to James's left with his arm around his shoulders. They are both smiling at the camera.

Team Bath Tennis pro James Story shows Sheffield steel to secure biggest singles success so far

27 October 2025

Team Bath Tennis professional James Story has secured the biggest success of his career to date after winning the ITF M25 Sheffield men’s singles title. The Welsh number one, who trains at the Team Bath Sports Training Village, overcame fellow Brit Anton Matusevich 6-2 3-6 7-6(4) in a hard-fought final. That was the only set he dropped in five matches during an impressive week, which included an excellent 6-3 6-2 quarter-final victory over top seed...

A graphic promoting the Student Sports Pass at the University of Bath. There are pictures of people using various sporting facilities including a basketball court, swimming pool, tennis court, athletics track and badminton court. There are icons representing the different sports and facilties students can access. The text reads: "Free Student Sport. Did you know? Your student library card is also your Sports Pass? Activate your card on arrival at the Sports Training Village and take advantage of our world-class facilities right on your doorstep."

Get access to swimming, basketball, athletics, racket sports, MUGA and much more by activating your FREE Student Sports Pass

15 September 2025

Want to swim between lectures, serve up some rallies on the tennis and badminton courts, shoot some hoops indoors or outdoors, or join a group of friends for five-a-side football? University of Bath students can do all this and more for FREE with the student-exclusive Sports Pass!  Simply take your library card to the Team Bath Sports Training Village reception to activate your Sports Pass and gain access to a host of daily activities in our inspirational sporting facilities on campus. These include:   ...

A composite image of (left) Team Bath Tennis player Toby Samuel wearing a World University Games silver medal around his neck and holding a toy mascot in his right hand, he is smiling at the camera; (right) rower Josh Knight in a men's single sculls boat on the river in Duisburg during the 2025 World University Games.

Superb silvers for tennis ace Toby Samuel and rower Josh Knight as Bath-based student-athletes excel at 2025 World University Games

28 July 2025

Team Bath Tennis ace Toby Samuel and University of Bath-based rower Josh Knight both won silver medals for Great Britain at the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games in Germany. Samuel, coached by Ian MacDonald at the Team Bath Sports Training Village, enjoyed an excellent tournament on the clay courts in Essen and was only denied men’s singles gold by Japan’s Jay Friend who won a gripping final 6-1 4-6 7-5. He also won men’s...

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