Becoming a top 350 junior tennis player in the world

Hi. I am Matt Upton, a 17-year-old tennis player from Cornwall. I started playing tennis at Truro Lawn Tennis Club from the age of about 3 because my sister wanted to play. I have competed since I was 6 years old in local and regional tournaments, and from the age of 10 in National level tournaments. I have won lots of singles and doubles titles in Great Britain, and I am now competing in international tournaments.

After reaching semi-finals and finals, I won my first International Tennis Federation (ITF) J30 title at Limassol in Cyprus, in May 2024. My highest World Tour Junior ITF ranking is 811 (3 June 2024).

I train full-time at the Mouratoglou Tennis Academy in France whilst also studying for A-levels online. To continue to improve I need to maintain the balance between training and tournaments, the latter being really important to test myself through competition.

I am seeking financial support so I can put a strong tournament schedule together. Tournaments are in many different countries and, of course, they are expensive to get to and compete. I have equipment sponsorship from HEAD UK, and other support is from my parents and, in May 2024, a grant from the Young and Talented Cornwall fund.

It costs between £1,000 and £1,500 to go to each tournament for travel, accommodation and food, depending on where it is. My parents fund my academy costs but are unable to fund a full tournament schedule. I am therefore trying to raise a total of £15,000 up to summer 2025. Any donations, however small, will be really helpful and much appreciated.

I will use all donations wisely. For example, £10 will provide me with a lunch at a tournament, £15 will re-string a racket at a tournament, £25 will provide an evening meal, £50 will support one night’s accommodation (I share rooms whenever possible), £100 will support one day at a tournament, £500 will support my return travel to a tournament, and £1,500 will fund one international tournament in full.

My goal up to summer 2025 is to reach the top 350 of the Junior ITF rankings. After this I will go to a US university or college, hopefully on a tennis scholarship. Beyond that, I would like to play professionally and my long-term goal is to reach the top 250 in the men’s world rankings.

I am focused and dedicated on achieving my goals in tennis. I home-schooled for GCSEs to be able to fit in sufficient training. Then, at 16, I moved to one of the best academies in the world to make the most of my potential and to live, train and compete in a professional tennis environment.

Many thanks for reading this request, and if you are able to support me in any way it will be much appreciated. Also, if you know of any other potential donors or sponsors, I would be grateful of you sharing this page with them (or you/they can contact me via GoFundMe).

Matthew