ROEHAMPTON, August 4, 2025 (LTA Press Release)
It was a week to remember for Belgian rising star Jeline Vandromme, as the 17-year-old qualifier went all the way to claim her biggest title to date in the singles at the Lexus British Pro Series Roehampton.
The Belgian teenager, a former World junior No. 4 who began the week ranked 754 in the world, defeated two Brits in qualifying to the reach the main draw, and continued to upset the odds all week, as she beat three seeds – including number one seed Arina Rodionova of Australia – to reach Saturday’s final. Vandromme went up against Chinese second seed Han Shi, who came into the match having not dropped a set all week. With both players in rich veins of form, a tight battle was always likely, and is exactly what followed, with two close first sets going each way. China’s Shi looked set to claim the title after working herself into a 5-3 lead in the final set, but Vandromme fought back, saving three championships points and winning the next four games to take the deciding set and the title 7-6(4) 5-7 7-5 in three and a quarter hours.
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Following the match, Vandromme said, “I cannot believe it, I was three match points down and in my head, I was just like, ‘Ok you’ve got to lock in now’, and I tried to make as few mistakes as possible. From qualies to the final and winning the title – the biggest one in my career – it’s an incredible feeling.”
There was British success in the doubles event at the National Tennis Centre, as Amelia Rajecki, who lost out to Vandromme in the first round of the singles draw, claimed her second doubles title in three weeks alongside Alicia Dudeney, after winning with Victoria Allen in Nottingham a fortnight ago. The pair, playing their first tournament together, enjoyed some strong results in their run to the final, defeating number one seeds Naiktha Bains and Rutuja Bhosale 6-3 7-6(3) in the quarter finals, before winning an all-British semi-final against Danielle Hack and Sally Pethybridge 6-2 4-6 10-4. Facing fourth seeds Rinko Matsuda and Eri Shimizu of Japan for the title, the Brits raced out of the blocks, breaking their opponents in the match’s opening game and never looked back, taking the match in straight sets 6-1 6-4 in just over an hour.
Speaking after the win, Dudeney said, “To be able to take the title in our first week is great, and we’re back next week, so hopefully we can do just as well then.” On winning close to home, Rajecki added, “I spend a lot of time here, so it’s nice to be on a match court. On the road it can be quite tough because it’s just you, whereas when you play on home soil it’s a different experience.”
International tournaments such as the Lexus British Pro Series Roehampton are part of the LTA’s Performance Competitions Calendar (PCC) which provides significantly enhanced opportunities for British players at each age and stage of the performance player pathway on home soil. The calendar is designed to provide comprehensive opportunities for British players to play, earn ranking points and win prize money at home, throughout the year. The 2025 LTA Performance Competitions Calendar can be found here.
Tournament Director Sophie Archer said, “The National Tennis Centre is one of the standout venues on the British circuit, with some amazing results this week to match. It was great to see a British duo winning in the doubles and with the singles winner coming through from qualifying and winning in a 3-hour thriller, it has been a memorable week for players, officials, and everyone involved in the event.”
The National Tennis Centre plays host to more ITF action this week, with a combined W35 and M25 event taking place. Rajecki and Dudeney will look to make it two titles in two weeks, whilst familiar names from this year’s Championships at Wimbledon will also be taking part, with Oliver Tarvet and boys’ doubles runner-up Oliver Bonding in the men’s event, and young rising stars Mimi Xu and Hannah Klugman on the women’s side.
