A TALENTED teenage tennis player has overcome adversity to rise up the ranks in Suffolk.Sixteen-year-old George Adey, from Southwold, didn't take up playing tennis seriously until his 'first full season' in 2007 - but since then he has served up a meteoric smash in being ranked at number five at U18 level in Suffolk by the Lawn Tennis Association.

A TALENTED teenage tennis player has overcome adversity to rise up the ranks in Suffolk.

Sixteen-year-old George Adey, from Southwold, didn't take up playing tennis seriously until his 'first full season' in 2007 - but since then he has served up a meteoric smash in being ranked at number five at U18 level in Suffolk by the Lawn Tennis Association.

The promising tennis starlet only turned to the game a couple of years ago, after previously playing football with Sole Bay United.

But his proud dad Robert told The Journal this week that despite being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, the youngster has been spurred on to excel on the tennis courts around Suffolk and Norfolk.

'When George was 12 he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and two years ago he became the fortunate recipient of an insulin pump, which allows him to take better control of his condition and means that regular injections are less necessary,' Mr Adey said.

'Football, though not impossible, became more difficult wearing the pump and so George decided to devote himself to tennis, winning a doubles tournament in his first full season in 2007.'

Not looking back after this success, the youngster has been bitten by this winning bug as he climbs the county rankings and continues to scale new heights.

The Southwold & District Tennis Club member has also become one of the youngest coaches in the county - after completing the LTA Level 1 Certificate in tennis coaching just after his 16th birthday last year.

'This has qualified George to assist the pro at Southwold, Mark Websdale, and also Martin Coates, the Tennis Development manager at his other club, Ipswich Sports Club,' Mr Adey said.

'As one has to be 16 to take the course, George is, therefore, one of the youngest to achieve this qualification. He will be taking Level 2 in the spring, which would allow him to give individual coaching to others and he is very keen to make a career in tennis coaching and management - while having a successful playing career at the same time.'

The St Felix School pupil also has a tennis scholarship at the school in Southwold, and he is hopeful of studying coaching and management at university in the future.

Keen to pursue this tennis dream, George and his family are appealing to any local companies, businesses or individuals who may be prepared to back him with some form of sponsorship.

If you can help, and would like more details, telephone Robert Adey on 01502 722888 or 07773 414 591.