Video: Konta and Rae serve up for Paul Collingwood and Jonathan Trott
English tennis number one Johanna Konta and Arnold’s own Jocelyn Rae have been serving up shots for former England internationals Jonathan Trott and Paul Collingwood as the Aegon Open hots up.
The four sport stars took to Trent Bridge on Monday (June 12) where a tennis court had been chalked up and a net raised for the tennis stars to serve to the cricket internationals and for a mixed doubles match.
Johanna Konta got through her first round match at the Aegon Open against fellow Brit Tara Moore after she retired to secure a round of 16 clash against Belgium’s Yanina Wickmayer.
Moore was supposed to play with Freya Christie in a doubles match against Laura Robson and Jocelyn Rae but the match was cancelled because of Moore’s earlier retirement.
The result means Robson and Rae received a bye to reach the quarter-finals.
Rae, from Arnold, said what started as a knockabout against the cricket players turned much more competitive.
She said: “We started unleashing a few serves but the guys were good at getting the serves back.
“They might have even nicked that one, I thought they were really good!
“I always love coming back to Nottingham, staying with my family and that kind of thing and the tennis centre was where I grew up playing a little bit.
“I feel really relaxed and easy here.”
Johanna Konta said: “I definitely wanted to be involved at the tournament in Paris and at Roland Garros for a little longer but it did give me time on the grass leading into the Nottingham Open and we have a few events in the lead up to Wimbledon.
“Overall, I’m just looking to play as much on the surface as I can and to get as many matches under my belt as I possibly can.
“I come here because I enjoy the closeness of the events, the set up of the courts, the hotel as we get to stay near the city centre, the food options too.
“The general vibe of the tournament is quite a relaxed one and an enjoyable one and the quality of the centre court is something I really love.”
Both former England internationals enjoyed playing against the tennis stars and learning how quick the sport is.
Jonathan Trott said: “You always wonder about other sports, how quick they are and how they go about their business.
“It’s good to witness it first hand and get the experience – I’ve had fun playing tennis in the past but I’m not a huge tennis player.
“Throughout the summer, I’ll certainly be keeping an eye on how the two girls go here today, how they go in their careers and how well they go this season.”
Paul Collingwood said: “It’s been brilliant that you don’t usually do to turn up and see the girls playing tennis and having a hit around with them is a good experience.”
