QCF volunteer, Daphne, shares her story of coming back from injury and giving back to the QCF

Daphne is 15 years old and has played tennis since she was 6 years old, so almost a decade of tennis. It has been a wonderful journey from start until now where she is ranked just outside top 500 in the world junior rankings.

Daphne played many different sports before tennis became her main interest. Tennis is a fantastically rewarding sport but also physically demanding. On top of many hours on the tennis court, she spent significant time on strength and conditioning not only to be stronger and fitter, but also to avoid injuries. Unfortunately, injuries are difficult to avoid - in particular - when you are growing. Daphne has had her fair share of injuries from wrist and tendon injuries to navicular bone stress and bone marrow oedema. She has just come back from a five month injury where she had to completely offload her foot. She was wearing a boot and used crutches. It turns out that you can still play a bit of tennis if you are creative! See pictures.

Coming back from an injury requires a significant recover period, so she has not been competing since August last year. It is not always easy to stay positive during injuries because you are away from a sport you love so much. It is emotionally very tough. Daphne received a lot of encouraging and lovely messages from her tennis friends all over the world, which helped tremendously. While away from the tennis court, Daphne works on her upper body strength and focuses on school as she is preparing to sit her GCSEs in the spring.

Coming back to tennis after her injury also meant a return to the QCF. She has been volunteering at the QCF for almost three years now and she absolutely loves it. She adores younger kids as they are so much fun. The QCF tennis players are a resilient bunch of wonderful children who plays through all weather. When she started with the foundation she helped Leo, who was using a wheelchair on court, and she enjoyed every minute of it. She was in such awe of Leo and is still following his tremendous progress in tennis. She started working with the Foundation as The Queens Club had given her so much that she felt she needed to give back to the club. She is acutely aware that not all children have the same opportunities and she felt she could use her tennis skills to give back. When you have come a long away in your tennis journey, you often forget how it all started. She wants the QCF kids to know that she started exactly where they started in the service box playing red balls.

Observing the QCF children's progress week on week is what she loves most about the QCF. There are some amazing tennis skills on display!  By being part of the QCF, she is hoping that she can encourage some or almost all of the children to stay in tennis. Although it is hard work, it can be a very rewarding sport despite the injuries. Tennis is a social sport and you will always be able to find other children to play with where ever to go. It is a skill you never regret learning. .