In the latest of a series of Question and Answer sessions with members of Charnwood Tennis Club, Kevin Leck turns the tables on the club's roving reporter Andrew Smith. He asks about his role in the club and his tennis history as well as digging out some other interesting nuggets.

Q1.  Kevin Leck - What does being the Press Officer for Charnwood Tennis Club entail? Is it an enjoyable role?

A1.  Andrew Smith - When I started I was mostly reporting on the matches that were being played. We have plenty of teams who play throughout the summer and winter months (indoors) so that keeps me busy with plenty to write about.

However, I have tried to add to this reporting on our club's wider activities including awards nights, social events, charity days, etc.

It's massively enjoyable!!  I don't play matches, so it gives me a far greater sense of involvement with the club. 

Q2 KL). Do you play tennis competitively, or do you prefer a social game? How long have you been playing the sport?

A2 AS). I have played a few matches, but mostly stick to social play and leave the competitive stuff to players who are far better than me!!

I started in 2005 but couldn't play that much social tennis (on a Saturday afternoon) as it clashed with my hockey fixtures. However, in 2017, I was involved in a horrendous bike accident and due to the injuries playing hockey became difficult, so I played more tennis instead and have really enjoyed it ever since.

Q3 KL)  Why did you join Charnwood Tennis Club? What kind of opportunities does it offer for social players?

A3 AS) I live only a few minutes away from our courts so it made sense travel-wise. Also, the courts are magnificent and the club has a tremendous coaching setup which has helped guide me as well as many other players.

The club has plenty of inter club sessions and eight courts (three different surfaces) and so there's nearly always plenty available for play.

We field many teams of all abilities so there's ample opportunity for everyone to enjoy some matches against other clubs.

Q4 KL) With the club currently at an all-time high in terms of league positions, there must be chances to watch some high class tennis at the club. What should potential spectators aim to see?

A4 AS) Definitely, we have some fabulous players on both the mens and ladies sides. The best players hit the ball so sweetly that it makes a lovely sound off their rackets!

Spectators can watch Charnwood's elite players in Premier League matches, Mercury Cup fixtures ("the FA Cup of tennis"), National League matches, Club Championships and much, much more.

Q5 KL) How did you get the Press Officer role? Do you have previous writing experience?

A5 AS). I have always been interested in reading the newspaper coverage of various sports, and when I played hockey a position arose for a Press Officer which I took up and really enjoyed.

Back in the day it was sending over reports to The Echo by fax. How times have changed!!!

Several years ago, Charnwood Tennis Club legend Caroline Wilkinson organised a Christmas walk and wanted someone to write it up and I volunteered! At the time, Charnwood Tennis Club didn't have much press coverage so I gradually took on this challenge.

It's certainly been a learning curve, as I was unaware of how much happened both on and of the courts, but it's been very enjoyable!!

Q6 KL) Anyone who has read your letters in the Echo will soon realise that you are someone with a deep interest in many sports. Do you play, or have you played in the past,  any sports other than tennis?

A6 AS) Definitely!!! I played over 750 games of hockey for Loughborough Carillon and am an active golfer at Longciffe Golf Club where I have played since 1992.

I follow other sports keenly including cricket (Warwickshire) and football (Aston Villa).

I have travelled far and wide to spectate at major events and have been to the USA to watch baseball and American Football.

I have been to most of The Open Championship golf venues to work on the scoreboards and leaderboards which is a lot of fun.

Q7 KL) Who are your favourite tennis players, past and present?

A7 AS). I'm showing my age, but I used to like Jimmy Connors, then really admired Stefan Edberg for his backhand and sumptuous volleys.

Of course there's Andy Murray who showed amazing spirit to challenge and occasionally get the better of the three greats, Federer, Nadal and Djokovic and also become No. 1 in the world rankings.

I also liked watching Marcos Baghdatis, the Greek Cypriot. He had tremendous charisma and was a fabulous entertainer.

I enjoyed watching Emma Raducanu win the US Open back in 2021, hopefully she can recover from her spate of injuries and return to the top level.

Q8 KL)  Do you have any ambitions for your own tennis?

A8 AS) Yes indeed! My game is based on playing from the baseline and being able to get the ball back, I'm trying to develop a little more offensive skills to put the opponent under pressure. I plan to shorten both the points and the amount of court I have to cover, (I'm not getting any younger!) but this might be easier said than done!

Q9 KL) How would you assess the current health of Charnwood Tennis Club?

A9 AS). Fantastic! We have a great coaching team, some fabulous players, teams for those of all abilities, players from young beginners to octogenarians, fantastic artificial clay, savannah and hard courts. We recently invested in new floodlights which means playing when there's no natural daylight is much improved.

Q10 KL)  Which sports writers do you enjoy reading?

A10 AS). Well I enjoy several. Derek Lawrenson (Golf - Daily Mail) is good as is Sam Wallace (Football - Daily Telegraph), but I particularly enjoy David Lloyd (cricket - Daily Mail) who has a fabulous combination of wit and wisdom. He clearly loves the game and also the pubs and curry houses he describes around the Test Match venues!!

Q11 KL).  What sportsmen outside side tennis do you admire?

A11 AS). Owing to my age, I really liked Ian Taylor (Aston Villa) and Dougie Brown (Warwickshire cricket). They might not have been the most naturally talented, but both always gave 100 per cent commitment to the cause and had fabulous rapport with their supporters.

Q12 KL). What do you enjoy outside of sports?

A12 AS) I enjoy music including Oasis, Abba, Queen, Jim Steinman (the composer behind Meatloaf) and Bonnie Tyler, as well as Musical Theatre - The Phantom of The Opera, Miss Saigon and Les Miserables. 

I also enjoy cooking and love eating, so it's a good thing I do a bit of exercise from time to time!!

I just about manage find time to go to work, although I'm now part time / semi retired now!!

I enjoy walking, and make an annual pilgrimage to Calpé in Spain (just outside Benidorm), where there are fabulous guided mountain and coastal rambles, to enjoy out along with other like-minded expats.