Tennis Title the Target for Stourbridge Local.

Santino Palermo is targeting a maiden tennis title after making the semi finals of the Stourbridge Open Plate last year.

"I took a heavy fall and struggled in the later stages of the match. The fall is out of my control but the fatigue is an area to improve heading into the 2022 season."

These were Santino Palermo's comments on his perfomance in last years Plate semi-final and how he intends to go further next year. The plate is a competition for those knocked out in the first round, but by upping his fitness and hitting the ground running in the spring, he wants to make an impact on the main draw.

I played tennis with the title hopeful and discussed his hopes for the upcoming season and whether he believes he has what it takes to take home the trophy.

"Everyone wants to win and I believe at my peak i have the ability to do just that, there are great players in the draw and I have all the intention to push them to their limit."

Current and 7 time, consecutive champion Finn Cook is the fiercest of the competition. A former Staffordshire number 1, orange bowl competitor and force on the tennis court. Cook holds the record for most wins at the tournament and also enters the doubles draw winning three times prior.

"I wont be entering the doubles, i hope this gives me an edge as i can focus on my singles game and perhaps those in both get caught up in having to do both."

It is currently a cold and dark winter but Palermo has big hopes of a fruitful warm and bright summer tennis season. You can watch the finals at Stourbridge Lawn Tennis and Squash Club, details of when will be posted closer to the time.