BURNHAM-ON-SEA tennis star Betty Norman was ‘guest of honour’ at the Avenue Centenary Open this week as she celebrated the 30th anniversary of her Wimbledon triumph.

Norman won the Great Britain Ladies’ Over-40s singles title in 1988, coming through a four-hour epic in the fourth round before defeating five-time champion Rita Lauder 6-4, 6-3 in the final.

It proved to be the first of several triumphs across singles and doubles in the competition for Norman, who also won the event 15 years on, aged 55.

As the Weekly News of 1988 put it: “Steffi Graf isn’t the only lady tennis player with a piece of Wimbledon silverware to put on her mantelpiece this year.”

Reflecting on her triumph, Norman - who only entered the tournament as she was on holiday from working for a central heating firm - said: “It was a wonderful experience.

“It was my first time playing at Wimbledon, so it was quite daunting - many of the other players played tennis full time, whereas I worked full time and played tennis on the side.

“I also played in the doubles tournament in 1988 with a lady from Cheddar and we reached the semi-finals.”

Burnham and Highbridge Weekly News:

TROPHY: How Betty Norman's success was reported in 1988.

Norman’s success led to further memorable experiences on the court.

“It opened up several opportunities and I went on to represent Great Britain, which was very special,” she said.

“I played matches in Hungary and Holland as well as spending a month in Australia, which was wonderful.

“We were also due to play in Yugoslavia but that didn’t happen because of the war, so we ended up playing in Bournemouth instead!

“Winning at Wimbledon was obviously a ‘biggie’, but I think representing Great Britain topped that.

“I still keep in touch with a couple of those I played with - I don’t go to Wimbledon regularly nowadays but when I do we all meet up.”

Norman, who represented Somerset for more than 22 years and is now a keen golfer at Isle of Wedmore, is set to catch up with Avenue members past and present on Friday evening as the club celebrate the staging of the Centenary Open.

The Open tournament started on Sunday, August 12 and will finish this Saturday, August 18, with the finals of the majority of the events taking place throughout Saturday, the finals day.

For more information, go to the club website.