For most players, winning a major title would be the highlight of a season. For Chichester Racquets & Fitness Club member Chris Ornstein, it has been one of several remarkable achievements during an exceptional year that has seen him rise to joint World No. 3 in both the Men’s 80+ Singles and Doubles rankings.

European Champion

Chris’s standout achievement came at the ITF Masters European Championships in Budapest, where he arrived as the tournament’s second seed and among the favourites for the title.

After progressing confidently through the early rounds, he booked his place in the final against the top-seeded Italian player. Chris made a flying start, racing into a 5-0 lead in the opening set before his opponent settled into the match. What followed was an epic contest lasting nearly two and a half hours, with momentum swinging back and forth throughout.

Showing tremendous determination and resilience, Chris eventually secured a dramatic 6-2, 5-7, 12-10 victory to become the Men’s 80+ European Champion, one of the biggest achievements of his tennis career.

Chris Ornstein on our hard courts.

Overcoming Early Setbacks

The success was made even sweeter given the challenges Chris faced earlier in the season.

His competitive campaign began in Alassio, Italy, where he reached the semi-finals before producing an impressive victory over the tournament’s top seed and reigning World Champion, Antonio Claudi. Chris then advanced to the final against Switzerland’s leading player.

However, disaster struck early in the match. Chasing down a drop shot in the opening game, Chris suffered a hamstring injury and was forced to retire from the final.

Fortunately, with the help of expert treatment from resident sports masseur Faz Chitima of Serious Sports Massage at CRAFC, Chris recovered quickly and was soon back on court preparing for the next challenge.

National and International Success

Chris returned to action at the GB National Clay Court Championships in Bournemouth, where he was seeded second.

The tournament produced another memorable moment as he faced his GB Team Captain in the final, an opponent he had been unable to beat in six previous meetings over the previous decade. Determined to change that record, Chris adopted a more positive and attacking approach.

The new mindset paid off as he claimed an impressive 6-4, 6-4 victory to lift the national title.

His winning form continued throughout the summer with back-to-back tournament victories in Lugano and Lausanne, Switzerland. The trip also had personal significance, as his wife and fellow CRAFC member Ginny Denison was able to reunite with a long-lost Swiss cousin she had not seen for 70 years.

Doubles Success and World Recognition

Alongside his singles achievements, Chris has also enjoyed considerable success in doubles competition.

He reached the doubles finals at all three of his major early-season tournaments, narrowly missing out in Italy before going on to claim titles in both Bournemouth and Budapest. These consistent performances across both disciplines helped propel him to joint World No. 3 in the singles and doubles rankings.

The rankings are a fitting reward for a season that has demonstrated not only Chris’s exceptional ability on court but also his commitment, competitive spirit and passion for the game.

Looking Ahead to the World Championships

Chris will first compete in the prestigious ITF1000 tournament in Mallorca before travelling to Crete in October to represent Great Britain at the ITF Masters World Team Championships. Team GB’s Men’s 80 squad will face 13 other nations during the team event before attention turns to the Individual World Championships.

Currently ranked joint World No. 3 in the world, Chris is expected to be seeded among the leading contenders in the singles draw. In the doubles competition, he and his GB partner are anticipated to be top seeds and among the favourites for the title.

Everyone at Chichester Racquets & Fitness Club congratulates Chris on an outstanding season so far and wishes him every success as he prepares to represent Great Britain on the world stage once again.