AN 11-year-old Monmouth School pupil has been selected to play for Great Britain against France in a three-day tennis competition later this month.

Theo Purkis, who lives in Lea near Ross-on-Wye, is ranked number one for his age in the United Kingdom. As part of the Great Britain team of four, Theo will be travelling on 19th January, to compete against the top four players from France.

This will be the second time Theo has been selected to represent Great Britain against France, having been chosen to play for Team GB in January 2016.

Theo is particularly excited about this chance because it will be the first international ‘away’ match he will have participated in. He said: “I’m absolutely delighted and very proud to be selected for my country again. I am going to enjoy every second, work my hardest, and play my best tennis.”

Chris Davies, Theo’s first coach from the age of five, called it “an unbelievable achievement”, and praised Theo’s mental attitude, explaining how he remains “level and balanced despite his huge success.”

With dedication comes success, as Theo must train every day, on average 15 to 20 hours a week. Alongside competitions, Theo also attends a regular four-day training camp at the National Tennis Centre in Roehampton. He says that the balance between his training and school life is enjoyable, and that during his very first tennis camp at the age of five he had “wished he could play this all day, every day.”

Theo has also been selected as a wildcard in a European Grade 1 tennis event for under 14s at the end of January, meaning he will compete against the best 14-year-olds in Europe. Despite the age gap, Theo looks forward to the challenge. He said: “I can’t wait to play, it will be tough but I will enjoy the battle and learn from the best 14-year-olds in Europe.”

He added: “Even if I lose to an older opponent, it gives me a target for the standard to be when I reach their age.”

Theo gave thanks to his coaches Mark Willis and Steve Worsley at East Gloucestershire club in Cheltenham and the national team at Roehampton, his first coach Chris Davies, Monmouth Boys School headmaster Dr Daniel, and his parents.