A TENNIS player’s impressive performance has secured him a career-high ATP ranking of 267.
Toby Samuel, age 23 from Ringwood, was a top-ranked player in multiple age categories and achieved a global junior ranking of 56 before the Covid pandemic cut short his final year in the junior tour.
In the summer of 2020, he embarked on a prestigious four-year tennis scholarship at the University of South Carolina in the US.
Ringwood’s Toby Samuel hits career-high ATP ranking of 267 after comeback (Image: Supplied)
His tenure at the university saw Mr Samuel become a linchpin in the NCAA Division 1 men’s tennis team, culminating in an overall athlete of the year award in 2023.
His trophy cabinet also boasts the ITA National NCAA Division 1 doubles title, clinched with his partner Connor Thompson.
During university breaks, Mr Samuel stepped onto the professional scene, reaching an ATP World ranking of 404 in singles and 242 in doubles.
His skills earned him a wildcard spot at Wimbledon in 2023.
From local courts to international titles: Samuel shines post-recovery. (Image: Supplied)
Plans to turn professional after his graduation in May 2024 were derailed by a bone stress injury and nerve impingement in his serving arm, resulting in a year-long recovery and a drop in rank to 1,871.
Thankfully, the pain improved in May 2025, and by July, Mr Samuel represented Great Britain at the World University Games in Germany, clinching a singles silver medal.
After regaining full fitness in August, Mr Samuel reached five ITF singles finals, winning three.
This streak set him up for more success in the ATP Challenger tournaments, where he seized his first two ATP titles at Soma Bay, Egypt and Manama, Bahrain.
A spokesperson said: “Toby’s breakthrough success at the Soma Bay Challenger in Egypt included a win over Ilia Simakin 6-4 6-4 in his opening match before defeating Peter Fajta 6-3 7-6(4) Alexandr Binda 6-2 6-3 and compatriot Charlie Robertson 6-1 6-1 to set up an all-British final against the British no.6 Jay Clarke, where he rallied from a set behind to lift the trophy with a 4-6 7-6(4) 6-0 scoreline.
“Toby, coached by Ian MacDonald at the Team Bath Sports Training Village, carried his form into the Manama Challenger in Bahrain, conceding just 17 games to his four opponents on the way to a second successive final where he raced past second seed Ilia Simakin in just 48 minutes, with a 6-0 6-2 victory.”
“After four months of competing, Toby will take December to recover and start working on his pre-season training ahead of his 2026 campaign.”
He started his journey to the top when he was playing in the courts of St Leonards and St Ives Tennis Club and The West Hants Club before moving to the Team Bath Tennis Academy for his A-levels.