A FORMER British tennis ace was on hand to see potential stars of the future in action at Avenue Tennis Club on Monday night.

John Feaver, whose association with the club goes back generations, was introduced to tennis at Avenue before going on to enjoy a successful professional career.

WATCH: Interview with John Feaver at Avenue Tennis Club

He played at Wimbledon between 1971 and 1989, beat Bjorn Borg as a youngster and also reached the French Open doubles semi-finals in 1982.

Feaver remains involved at Wimbledon as player liaison officer and, in addition, helps run Performance Plus Sport with his son James, also a former professional.

PPS fund free tennis sessions for children at Avenue on Monday evenings and Feaver said: “It’s great that young people can start to play at an early age, especially for free.

“It is important to break down barriers and this is a way of doing that.

“There are a lot of smiling faces here, which is what it is all about.

“I have made a lot of friends at this club and have seen a couple again tonight - tennis is a game for life.”

For information on how to get involved in the sessions, visit www. avenuetennis.com.

Avenue also run ‘pay and play’ sessions on Friday evenings, where anyone can pay £2 and enjoy a hit - equipment and balls can be provided.