Triumph for Rochdale man at Wimbledon

Dave Gartside at Wimbledon

A Rochdale man has been crowned the British Doubles over 50's Champion after winning at Wimbledon.

Dave Gartside, 50, from Shawclough competed in the British Senior Grass Courts Championship last week and after beating the British number 1, number 3 and number 6, Mr Gartside and his partner Neil Gibson, from Blackburn, walked away the winners.

The pair, who both play at Lancashire, played four games over a week long period and beat everyone they came across.

Mr Gartside, said it was a “bit of shock” to win.

He added: “It was fantastic to play at Wimbledon, we didn’t play on the show courts because they aren’t open all year round – they were going to put us on a court next to centre court, but then it rained, so we played on one of the outside courts.”

Mr Gartside was supported at Wimbledon by his 11-year-old daughter, Charlotte, his father, Robert and his father’s wife, June. 

He said it was “nerve racking” playing in front of his father, adding: “In 40 years of playing he has hardly ever watched me and he was my biggest critic!

“Every one else seemed to think I played well, including the British number 1 who made a point of coming over to tell me – after we had beaten him. It was very humbling.”

Asked if he expected to win, Mr Gartside said “no” he added: “I knew we were in with a good chance, when you get to the 50s every one that enters is quite good.

“I have been very steady for the last couple of years.”

Mr Gartside walked away from the championship with the title and a trophy, but he said the most important thing was the “prestige” of taking part.

The Championship is held every year and next year will be hosted in Oxford because of the Olympics; Mr Gartside and his partner now need to decide if they will defend their title.

At the end of the month Mr Gartside will compete in the Lancashire County Championships, which he admitted would be “just as hard” because “Lancashire are blessed with good players.”