Emily Arbuthnott. Photo: Supplied

TENNIS: A YOUNG tennis player from Harpenden has achieved a top five ranking in the country.

Emily Arbuthnott, aged 14, has made a tremendous leap in the performance rankings and has achieved a top five ranking in the country at both the U16 and U14 level.

Emily won the Girls U14 winter national tournament in Nottingham before Christmas, defeating the top seed in the final.

A week later in Bolton, she continued to show excellent form by reaching her second consecutive national semi-final in the U16 age group.

These results have propelled Emily to number three in the GB national rankings in both age groups, her highest ever positions.

Having trained at Batchwood for four years, Emily also plays at Harpenden Tennis Club and manages to combine 15 hours tennis training a week alongside full-time schooling at Haberdashers’ Aske’s School for Girls.

Liz Jones, tennis director at Batchwood Golf and Tennis Centre, commented: “Emily has earned some fantastic results this winter and is starting to make a big impact in older age groups.

“Considering she only started playing U16 tournaments in July and she’s a full-time schoolgirl, it’s a phenomenal achievement to reach a top three national ranking in just six months.

“She has really benefited from the depth and range of tennis expertise available at Batchwood, where our ‘Winning Ways’ programme has enabled her to develop her talent so effectively.”