Former Colyton Grammar School student and Seaton Tennis Club member, Emma Hurst played a big part in the GB team’s golden success at the prestigious Master’U BNP Paribas event in Lille, France - the biggest university team tennis tournament in the world.

Midweek Herald: Emma Hurst in action at the Master'U BNPParibas Tournament in FranceEmma Hurst in action at the Master'U BNPParibas Tournament in France (Image: Archant)

Jack Findel-Hawkins, from Exmouth, also accompanied Emma to France and celebrated with the GB team after they thrashed China 7-0 in the semi-finals before seeing off a USA team that had secured the university title in each of the previous six years! GB defeated USA 4-2 in the final to win the gold medal.

World University Games alumni Emma, who is now in her last year at Bath University, said: “The GB team support and positive energy created a great atmosphere to give us the basis for this win.”

Joint GB team captain Barry Scollo also commented: “This is an incredibly proud moment for university tennis in this country. To win gold against the USA with the strongest collegiate tennis system in the works is an incredible achievement.”