Taylor-Matthews makes move to Westwood Country Club
US will now boast 6 of the top 7 ranked men's players
World Number 4 Ben Taylor-Matthews has been announced as the new professional at the Westwood Country Club in Washington, leaving his current role as head professional of the Bristol Real Tennis Club.
The move will be a boon to the US court tennis scene, which will now be able to boast six of the top seven ranked singles players as working or touring professionals in their country — in addition to Tim Chisholm as the current World Doubles Champion. Taylor-Matthews will join John Lumley and Leon Smart as top-ranked British professionals employed by US clubs.
Taylor-Matthews will work under the Director of Racquets Dai Edwardes-Evans and current Westwood Head Court Tennis Professional Ivan Ronaldson. “This is definitely a full life change for me, uprooting my whole life and moving it to the States which is something I am really looking forward to,” said Taylor-Matthews. “America is something I always wanted to have a crack at, and I almost let that dream subside over the years, but the timing for when Westwood advertised, I thought it was now or never.”
Taylor-Matthews played at the club for the first time at this year’s US Open, where he reached the semi-final stage before falling to Camden Riviere. “I was hugely impressed with the facility. I think it’s the best looking court in the world. I think the set up there is so modern with the new tennis facility being so fresh. They found the balance between smartness and modernity with the club rooms behind. It is an incredible place to play and watch.”
The move will not hinder Taylor-Matthews’s playing ambitions, as he builds towards another challenge of the World Championship title as part of the 2026 World Race. “Westwood have been absolutely fantastic with the tournament scene. Not only do they understand my desire to play in tournaments but they actively encourage it, and want me to go and represent the club and do the best that I can.” The Westwood Country Club could prove a valuable training base for Taylor-Matthews as he looks to progress his playing career. “I’m very lucky that Noah [Motz] is at the club and keen to practice as well, as long as I survive some of his forces coming at me. I’ve got Philadelphia a few hours down the road, and I know that John [Lumley] likes to hit some balls so hopefully we can come up with a mutual hitting strategy.”
Taylor-Matthews also plans to continue his succesful podcast series A View From The Hazards, which he co-hosts with British Amateur Champion Robert Shenkman. He will also depart his current role with a heavy heart. “It’s a great job; everybody is extremely friendly and welcoming, and Ben Coleman is great to work with, and the committee are incredible.”
Despite moving to the US, Taylor-Matthews still thinks there is plenty of talent in the British real tennis scene. “The UK has an incredible history with volume of people at the top level. Shenkman has made a big push over the last few years, Levi [Gale] will keep pusing forwards I’m sure, and you’ve got the emergence of people like Henry Henman, Will Flynn, James Medlow and Vaughan Hamilton. Hopefully they all will step up and keep going — I want the British Van Alen and Bathurst teams to win and I can’t think of anything better than in the future being beaten by British players to show that we still are developing the talent.
Taylor-Matthews will compete at both the US Professional Singles and the Champions Trophy in the summer, as well as the inaugural Moore Family Office Summer Challenge.
Good luck BTM, an exciting move. We are sad to lose you from the UK though. Best wishes, Jane x