Blogs: amateurs prepare to take on the Masters

Two British Tennis Members are preparing for the match of their lives against two of the legends taking part in this year's AEGON Masters Tennis. Read their blogs as they chart their progress.

Corin Superfine and Martin Home won a competition organised by AEGON to find people who really prove that tennis is a game for life. Their reward is to live a day in the life of a tennis legend, including playing in a doubles match with two tennis greats at the Royal Albert Hall during the AEGON Masters Tennis.

Corin Superfine has used tennis to help him through a really difficult time in his life as he battles leukaemia.
Read Corin’s blog

Martin Home only took up tennis at the age of 35 but went on to play for his county and qualify as a coach – proving it’s never too late to pick up a racket.
Read Martin’s blog

Corin Superfine

14 December 2011

On Friday (2 December 2011) I had the unique opportunity to play tennis with two legends of the game at none other than the Royal Albert Hall!

Part of our prize was to stay at a hotel the night before as a family which really added to the experience. We saw Philippoussis in the foyer of the hotel that night, then Leconte was at dinner and, in the morning, Krajicek had a chat with us over breakfast, it was fantastic.

After breakfast, we headed out to the Royal Albert Hall and met with Tim Henman and Peter McNamara. We decided on the doubles pairings and I was lucky enough to be able to play with Tim, and then the game began.

Both Peter and Tim were such gentlemen. During the game they allowed me to take breaks when I needed and they made the experience brilliant including an evenly matched game. Tim and I won in the end which was a great way to finish a fantastic day.

Friday was a very special day all round, with my whole family involved. My daughter Lara umpired and both my sons got involved with Rory playing with Tim and Joseph acting as ball boy and linesman, the day really couldn’t have been any better.

I would like to thank AEGON, Tim and Peter for such an awesome day. Of all the professionals here at the Masters, it was really special to be able to play with Tim at the Royal Albert Hall and win, and I will remember it forever.

28 November 2011

On the 14th November we had a fantastic visit to the National Tennis Centre as part of our AEGON Wildcard prize. When at the NTC, I saw Judy Murray and I would have shaken her hand had she not been carrying two coffees!

During the training day, I had the best coaching I've ever experienced, which included some video analysis. Unfortunately I couldn’t really get the most from the day as I am currently living with leukaemia and got out of puff after three hits of the ball, but overall I had a brilliant day.

I am really looking forward to Friday when I will be playing tennis with Tim Henman and Peter McNamara! My wife and three children are all coming along too and everyone is so excited.

17 October 2011

Well this is my first ever blog! Just some background to start with: in February I was very frightened in hospital, worried that leukaemia had raised its ugly head and I would need a very risky stem cell transplant.

Since then I’ve gradually improved but it’s been a rollercoaster with a virus and other infections. When I heard I’d have the opportunity to play with two Masters I was delighted, even if I hadn’t played tennis since January and then was almost not expecting to play ever again.

In September I had a knock for an hour a time, twice with my friend Ben. Unfortunately I’ve taken ill again. Still not doubting I’ll be fit for the tennis and that antibiotics and other drugs will work, but for now I have yet another problem. Hospital visit tomorrow. Once I get over this recent problem, my aim is to play once a week to get ready for the day.

Martin Home

14 December 2011

Just over a week since the AEGON Wildcard Match at the Royal Albert Hall when I played with Peter McNamara against Tom Henman and Corin Superfine and the memory of it still brings a warm glow to my heart.

It was the most fantastic day and one I will never forget.

Peter and Tim were absolutely brilliant, pitching the level of their returns and serves just right so that Corin and I were able to compete without being overwhelmed.

At change of ends Peter and Tim took the time to chat and seemed to genuinely enjoy the banter and the match experience as much as Corin and I.

Thanks to AEGON for the ‘Tennis for Life’ competition. This was a brilliant idea and a fantastic prize.
People at work wonder why I keep smiling – I keep smiling because the memory of the day keeps popping into my head.

Thanks to everyone who made it such a memorable event – in particular to John Mariano for driving me to London and for videoing the whole match.

28 November 2011

Later this week I will be playing in the Wildcard match at the Royal Albert Hall with Tim Henman and Peter McNamara.

In preparation for this exciting day, AEGON organised two hours of specialist coaching at the National Tennis Centre two weeks ago. I had a fantastic day and really enjoyed the guided tour around the centre which boasts some amazing facilities. I also met my fellow Wildcard competition winner Corin Superfine and his family on the day, which was great.

During the session with the coach we got the chance to have some video analysis done which was a brilliant opportunity. After watching the video, we had the chance to try out suggestions from the coach to help us improve and believe it or not, it made a significant difference to my forehand!

Part of the day’s package also included being gifted a Mantis tennis racket which I have been using and I really quite like it. I may well switch to using it seriously for matches now.

Roll on next week!

7 November 2011

Four weeks to go until I play a set at the AEGON Masters tournament at the Albert Hall!

I’ve had a week off from tennis. I was up in Scotland, white-water kayaking every day. I've come back feeling fit and mentally positive having paddled a rapid I have always walked around. Prior to paddling each day I listened to a tennis motivation CD which seemed to work for kayaking as well! I am also happy to report that I did not injure myself apart from a few minor chunks out of my hand hitting rocks.

Today I have started the early morning back exercises, Pilates routines and hamstring strengthening exercises. This evening I will be getting back into my routine of stretching hamstrings and quads.

In terms of actually playing tennis, Wednesday night I will be playing doubles indoors with the rest of the team players at Letchworth Tennis Club and Saturday I will be doing three hours coaching.

17 October 2011

Only seven weeks to go to the AEGON Masters Tennis, where I will be playing a set of doubles with and against two of the tennis greats.

This is really something I am looking forward to, particularly after a disappointing summer. I only managed to play one Herts County Vets match, back in May, before picking up an injury and being out until August.

Not all bad though - I managed to get myself fit enough to win the Herts Closed Over 60s Singles final in September for the second year running. So things are on the up.

I am worried though that my calf and hamstring injury will return and I am desperate to play on 2nd December at the AEGON Masters. So I am doing all I can to keep my body healthy. This means daily Pilates sessions and match play twice a week at Letchworth Tennis Club, with kayaking as a cross-training activity to prevent staleness.

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