A 16-year-old tennis player has seen her talents recognised with an award as part of the Tennis Black List 2024.

Hephzibah Oluwadare, who trains at the GB National Tennis Academy at the University of Stirling, won the Rising Star Award, which aims to champion and showcase new player talent in the UK and internationally for those under the age of 25.

Oluwadare said: “I’d like to say thank you for giving me the Rising Star Award.

“I would like to thank Anne-Marie (Batson) and Richard (Sackey-Addo) for starting an amazing initiative to celebrate black excellence within the sport.

“I would like to thank God who has kept me healthy throughout this journey and my parents for their unconditional support throughout my career.

“I would like to thank Tennis Scotland and the LTA who have provided many wildcard opportunities and also funding over the last few years.

“Thank you for giving me this award – it will really motivate me in the next few years of my career.”

The National Tennis Centre hosted the Tennis Black List 2024, celebrating tennis role models from the black and mixed black heritage community.

Founded by Anne-Marie Batson and Richard Sackey-Addo last year, the event on 27 June 2024 marked the second year of the Tennis Black List, supported by the LTA, Barclays and YC Sports.

Taking place in the run up to The Championships at Wimbledon in nearby Roehampton, the awards recognise the contributions of individuals and organisations from grassroots level up to the professional game in Britain and internationally.

The Tennis Black List follows the example set by the successful and respected Football Black List, created by Leon Mann MBE and Rodney Hinds, and Rugby Black List which have demonstrated the power that celebrating black excellence can achieve in sport.

The event was an opportunity to inspire the next generation in the tennis community, with the commitment shown by the winners on and off the court.

Awards were handed out in eight categories across the evening at the ceremony, with several recipients present at the National Tennis Centre.

Oluwadare, from Hemel Hempstead, has competed at Junior Wimbledon twice and helped Scotland secure victory at the Junior Four Nations.

She was also a part of the Billie Jean King Cup Junior team and became J200 Oberhaching Champion in Germany in February of this year.

Tennis Black List organisers Batson and Sackey-Addo said: “This was truly a night of inspiration and celebration of the black and mixed-black heritage communities’ excellence in tennis on and off the court.

“It’s been an honour to recognise a group of remarkable people who are the perfect embodiment of this.”

“One of the main aims for the Tennis Black List has always been to build a community to help provide more opportunities and access to our sport.

“Many of our guests are doing amazing work which is positively impacting the lives of so many people by breaking down barriers to sport and we want to celebrate and grow this even more.”

LTA Chief Executive Scott Lloyd said: “It was hugely inspiring to celebrate once again all the amazing successes and achievements of the black and mixed-black heritage communities – the 2024 winners are real role models to everyone.

“Our vision at the LTA is for tennis to be welcoming, enjoyable and inspiring to everyone. We know that seeing and celebrating the success of role models, inspires and encourages more people to get involved – whether as a player, a coach or a volunteer.”

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