TEENAGER Danyal Abubaker has recovered from two bouts of surgery and 18 months out of the sport to win the Bradford & District Junior League's under-15 player of the season award.

The 14-year-old from Mirfield received his trophy at the league's presentation evening at Heaton Tennis & Squash Club, and credited club professional Matt McTurk for his revival.

Helped not only technically and tactically but also mentally and physically at Heaton, Mirfield Free Grammar School pupil Danyal is now ranked 20th nationally at under-14 level, and has won several tournaments, including one recently in Halifax.

His form this season is all the more impressive bearing in mind that he had two operations on his right elbow, followed by 18 months of convalescence prior to the start of the 2014 season.

His mum Abida said of his time away from tennis: “Each day he would tirelessly play chess instead to keep his active mind occupied.

"During that period he became the school's chess champion, and he won it last year too.

“We are so proud of him – he has not let injury get in the way and, although doctors say he will never get full movement in his elbow (because of complications), he has proved to himself and others that you can do anything if you work hard at it, and he continues to be a bright button at school too.”

Danyal thanked coach McTurk and Tennis Heaton for making tennis fun and for his help throughout the last year in giving him confidence to overcome his injury.

Heaton's head coach McTurk said: "The coaching team are very proud of Danyal's achievements this year.

"He has made some significant changes to his game, both technically and tactically, and we are all working hard to help Danyal go to the next level in his tennis development.

"He has also worked hard and has been a pleasure to coach. The overall mission of the Tennis Heaton coaching programme is to help every player strive to reach their maximum playing potential, using the concept of positive thinking, reinforcing the correct techniques, tactics and hard work."

This all starts with the junior coaching programme at Tennis Heaton and McTurk's Tennis Tots programme, creating a culture at the club which is based on teamwork, sportsmanship and competitive spirit.

McTurk added: "The coaching staff have a tremendous passion for the game and this helps to provide all our players with the necessary training and assistance to allow them to maximize their development as tennis players and as people."

Anyone interested in the junior coaching programme should contact Matt on 07711-181998 or info@tennisheaton.co.uk.