Di Hill was such a large part of Swanmore Lawn Tennis Club over many years, and members have very fond memories of her. She contributed so widely to the club through junior coaching, playing in teams and organising social gatherings including group tennis trips abroad. She brightened our lives and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Di was a truly lovely lady – warm, friendly, funny, kind, generous and with a heart of gold.
Di did not come from a sporting family, but her great tennis talent was spotted early at Lee on Solent tennis club. She went on to play at county, regional, national, and finally at international level, representing the Great Britain team in different parts of the world.
In her younger years she played at Junior Wimbledon, reaching the quarter finals of the girls U18 singles before losing to the eventual winner. In 1970, she played in the mixed doubles Wimbledon championships with Alan Jones, in 1971 the Ladies Singles, and in 1972 the Wimbledon Ladies Doubles.
More recently, Di won various tournaments including 4 National Singles and 10 National Doubles titles.
In spite of all this success, Di was always modest. She regularly participated in club tennis at Swanmore, as well as interclub matches. She put fear into the opposition when she donned her ‘Great Britain’ jacket!
Above all, Di was eager to encourage and inspire all her coaching groups - young and not so young - to develop the skills and the passion for tennis which she possessed. She coached and played at many venues in Hampshire, and her fun-loving personality touched hundreds of people across the county.
At Swanmore, Di was the tennis inspiration for many juniors at the club and her ‘fun’ school holiday sessions were always very popular. Apart from the enjoyment of her coaching, there were edible motivational rewards, commendations and trophies for the juniors’ efforts and successes. Many of these youngsters have gone on to play in the senior club teams and leagues and beyond, at college and university. Di gave them the love of the sport, which she loved so much herself – what a gift.
Undoubtedly Di’s greatest pride came when she was elected a member of the All England Club, Wimbledon, where she had played in her early years. In 2009 after many years of watching and playing tennis there, she was made a full member of the Club. This was literally her lifetime's dream.
Di regularly attended every day during Wimbledon fortnight and typically she generously invited many of her local club players and friends to ‘her club’, as she loved to call it. This was a very special experience that was enhanced by witnessing the warmth and esteem in which she was held by her fellow Wimbledon members.
Sadly in 2010, Di was given the devastating news that she had Parkinson’s Disease. However, her competitiveness and up-beat personality did not allow this cruel disease to get the better of her. She continued to play as much competitive tennis as she could, playing her last game at Wimbledon in March 2022 with her regular tennis buddies.
The packed church at Di’s funeral in December 2022 was a fitting tribute to a much loved, admired and warmly remembered friend, whose active life was cut short far too soon. She touched so many of lives in such a positive way and we were blessed to have shared time and friendship with her.