Dundee tennis player Alice Keddie, who captured last month’s under 14 AEGON Spring Clay Court Championships title, has been selected along with two English girls for the British under 14 team competing in the Summer Cup. 

The 12 year old returned from Queenswood School, Hertfordshire with the under 14 singles and doubles titles to add to her under 12 honours gained from last year 2008.

“It was really good to win and to know that I’ve not been beaten in that tournament,” said12 year old Alice, who was selected for the British team this week.

“On Monday we got to Roehampton for a training camp then we fly out to Italy for the qualifying round. If we qualify we go to Switzerland for the main draw.”

A tennis player since she was eight years old, Alice has been coached by Mark Walker for over three years. Further support comes from the Tayside & Fife Institute of Sport, part of the Area Institutes of Sport network that provides high performance expertise to Scotland’s potential world class talent.

“My serve and forehand work well together and are my strengths,” said Alice, who feels her game is best suited to playing on clay. 

“With Mark I’m working on my deep backhand, return of serve and my third ball after my serve.

“I have three sessions a week with my fitness trainer, Alex Boyle from the Tayside & Fife Institute of Sport; two for weight training and one for fitness and agility.  It helps with endurance and on court work.”

She might be only 12 but Alice has a mature head on her shoulders as well as clear goals.

“My aim by the end of this summer is to be in the top 50 in the ETA 14 and under rankings and by the end of next year to move up to the top 10,” she said.

“Long term to be top 10 in the world and winning Grand Slams.”