TENNIS: Ben Knapp in GB team for Seniors World Championship (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Cirencester Tennis Club member flies the flag for GB in San Diego

8:00pm Wednesday 1st February 2012 in Sport By Danny Hall, Sports Editor

BEN KNAPP could be forgiven for checking seismic readings rather than tennis rankings when he flies out today to represent GB at the ITF Seniors World Team Tennis Championships., writes Danny Hall.

Last year’s event in Christchurch, New Zealand was partly cancelled due to the devastating earthquake in the region, and this year’s venue – San Diego in California – is not immune to the odd rumble.

Cirencester Tennis Club member Knapp is hoping the only shocks occur on the hard courts of the Morgan Run Club and Resort which hosts the event.

Twenty one countries are fighting it out at the most prestigious veteran’s tennis tournament in the world with age categories from 35-55 (in five-year bands) catered for.

Knapp plays for GB in the Over 45s event, the Dubler Cup. Leon Dubler, the first President of the Veterans’ International Tennis Association, donated the inaugural trophy in 1958 which was won by Italy. Knapp, the reigning British Vets Over 45 champion, lines up with Matt Coombes (captain), Nick Jones and James Turner.

Knapp is the only member of the GB team who is not in full time employment as a tennis coach. Instead, he is an associate partner with IBM in their services division, splitting his time between London and Wales.

Team GB are ranked No.5 in the world and will have their work cut out against France and the host nation.

Before flying out, Knapp, who had a world ranking as a youngster and played at Junior Wimbledon in the Boris Becker-Stefan Edberg era, said he was happy with his game. “I have done a lot of running to stay in shape and I played No.1 for the Gloucestershire Men’s team in an Inter County event in November, winning two of my three matches,” he said.

“We also had an intensive weekend training camp at Roehampton a fortnight ago when I beat our captain Matt Coombes.”