Key Points
- Four-peat Glory: Naqi Rizvi, part of the Islington Tennis Centre, has claimed his fourth successive men’s visually impaired (B1) championship in the “Play Your Way to Wimbledon” national finals.
- Prestigious Location: The competition was held at the famous grass courts of the All England Club in SW19, the Aorangi Courts.
- Popular Competition: “Play Your Way to Wimbledon,” brought to you by Vodafone, is the largest mass individual tennis competition in the United Kingdom, organized in collaboration with the LTA and the All England Club.
- Multiple Categories: The competition involved a number of different categories, such as 14U Junior Singles, 18U Junior Doubles, 19+ Adult Doubles, Wheelchair (Adult and Junior), Learning Disability, Visually Impaired, and newly launched Para Standing and Deaf categories.
- Community Involvement: Participants from all over the country competed in the qualifying rounds for the game through the year, eventually participating in the regional and national finals from 2-8 August 2026.
- Further Recognition: Some other local participants who took part in this event included Hassan Arif from North London, Monica Smith, Ben Whitley, and former world champion Paul Ryb.
London (Extra London News) August 12, 2026 – Naqi Rizvi has cemented his legacy at the All England Club, clinching his fourth consecutive men’s visually impaired (B1) title in a dominant display at the “Play Your Way to Wimbledon” national finals. The 35-year-old athlete, representing Islington Tennis Centre, triumphed on the hallowed grass courts of SW19, once again demonstrating the high standard of competition currently thriving within Britain’s grassroots tennis programmes.
- Key Points
- How did Naqi Rizvi reflect on his fourth consecutive victory?
- What was the wider significance of the tournament for visually impaired athletes?
- Who else participated in the All England Club finals?
- Why is the ‘Play Your Way to Wimbledon’ competition considered vital for tennis inclusivity?
- What is the history and scope of the tournament?
How did Naqi Rizvi reflect on his fourth consecutive victory?
The victory marks a remarkable run of consistency for Rizvi on one of the most famous stages in world sport. As reported by Eleanor Nobbs of London Now, Rizvi expressed his deep gratitude for the opportunity to compete at the venue for another year.
“I’ve won for the last few years here and I feel very, very lucky,” Rizvi stated, as quoted by Nobbs.
“I never want to take this for granted.”
For Rizvi, the experience of competing at the All England Club remains unparalleled. Despite his status as a multiple-time champion, he maintains a humble perspective on the prestige associated with the SW19 grounds, which hosted the national finals between 2 and 8 August.
What was the wider significance of the tournament for visually impaired athletes?
The tournament, “Play Your Way to Wimbledon,” is powered by Vodafone and delivered in partnership with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) and the All England Club. It is widely recognised as Britain’s largest individual mass participation tennis competition, designed to make the sport more accessible to players of all ages and abilities.
The impact of the competition extends beyond the winners’ circle. As noted in the report by Eleanor Nobbs, other North London competitors also shared their enthusiasm for the event. Hassan Arif, who reached the final of the men’s visually impaired (B3) category, highlighted the importance of inclusion.
“This competition is incredible,” Arif told London Now. “Having any kind of representation in VI sport is amazing.”
Former world champion Paul Ryb, 55, who competed in the men’s visually impaired (B3) category, emphasised the long-term benefits the tournament provides for the sport’s future. “This tournament creates a beautiful pathway for kids who are looking to go all the way and end up playing at Wimbledon,” Ryb remarked.
Who else participated in the All England Club finals?
The national finals featured a diverse array of talent, with participants having navigated rigorous qualifying stages throughout June and July. Thousands of players across the UK initially entered the competition at the club, park, or school level before advancing through county and regional stages.
Other notable competitors mentioned by Eleanor Nobbs in her coverage for London Now included:
- Monica Smith (60): From Islington, she competed in the women’s visually impaired (B1) competition.
- Ben Whitley: A member of Highgate Tennis Club, who participated in the men’s para standing (1-2) tournament.
- Paul Ryb (55): The former world champion, who featured in the men’s visually impaired (B3) category.
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Why is the ‘Play Your Way to Wimbledon’ competition considered vital for tennis inclusivity?
The event is part of a broader push to open the doors of professional tennis facilities to recreational players. This year’s edition of “Play Your Way to Wimbledon” was particularly notable for the formalisation of new categories.
According to Jamie Baker, Associate Director of Professional Tennis and Tournament Director of The Championships, Wimbledon, the expansion of the categories is a major step forward for the sport. As reported by Eleanor Nobbs of London Now, Baker stated:
“In partnership with Vodafone and the LTA, we are delighted to open up Play Your Way to Wimbledon to even more players with the addition of para-standing and deaf competitions.”
Baker added,
“For many of these players, competing on Wimbledon’s grass courts will be their first experience on the surface. We hope this competition continues to inspire players of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to discover the fun and benefits of tennis.”
The 2026 event hosted a wide spectrum of categories, including 14U Junior Singles, 18U Junior Doubles, 19+ Adult Doubles, and both Junior and Adult Wheelchair categories. The addition of para-standing and deaf competitions further solidified the event’s commitment to accessibility. Furthermore, young players in the 14&U category benefited from a dedicated coaching clinic led by Dan Bloxham, the Head Coach of the All England Club.
What is the history and scope of the tournament?
The scale of “Play Your Way to Wimbledon” is significant within the UK tennis calendar. Last year, the competition saw more than 11,000 players engage in the qualifying stages, with over 780 venues hosting events. By the time the national finals were held at the Aorangi Courts, 340 players had qualified to compete on the historic grass.
For those who reached the finals, the experience is designed to mirror that of the professional athletes who play at The Championships just a month earlier. Participants received a guided tour of the grounds, adhered to the traditional all-white dress code, and utilised the official player facilities, providing a unique and immersive experience into the world of professional tennis.
The partnership with Vodafone serves as a pillar for the tournament’s ongoing success. As a Connectivity Partner to The Championships, Vodafone’s support is aimed at connecting people with the sport and ensuring that tennis remains accessible to diverse communities across the country.
As Naqi Rizvi continues to set the benchmark in the visually impaired category, the stories of his peers—Hassan Arif, Monica Smith, and others—highlight the growing depth and enthusiasm within the community. Through the efforts of the LTA and the All England Club, the “Play Your Way to Wimbledon” competition remains a vital bridge between grassroots participation and the pinnacle of the sport, ensuring that the legacy of the manicured grass at SW19 is shared by as many people as possible.
