Alayna Robbani, who lives in Tadpole Garden Village, trains in Wanborough and plays across Delta and St Mark’s, spent the start of 2024 in the under eight category. Within six months she secured eleven tournament wins, including eight in succession, and achieved a win rate exceeding ninety per cent. She is now the highest ranked girl born in 2018 in the country, a title she will hold until at least December.
Her success led the Lawn Tennis Association to issue her with a performance passport, a rare step that allows her to compete two age groups higher.
She has already represented Wiltshire at county level since the age of five. More recently she was selected for a Regional Academy squad, which is considered a stepping stone towards national development.
Now playing mainly in the under nine category, Alayna has continued her strong form. She won her first 9U tournament at the first attempt. Last weekend she reached her first Grade three final, losing only narrowly. The ranking points from that result mean she qualifies for a national Grade two competition in Surrey on 14 December, where she will face some of the highest ranked girls in the country, all up to two years older.
Her father, local entrepreneur Hanif Robbani, said her rapid progress has surprised the family.
“Within three or four months she was rallying with her coach longer than you would expect for her age. She seemed to understand the techniques instinctively. She is quite an anomaly.”
He added that tennis has broadened his daughter’s life.
“She has made so many friends of all ages. Academically she is gifted too. She plays other sports, she goes to birthday parties, she never misses family events. We want her to keep her love for the sport.”
But he also highlighted the importance of her mental growth.
“She gets nervous about opponents she has heard are very good, and that is something she is learning to manage. Losing has helped her win more than winning ever did, because it teaches her what she needs to improve.”
Her mother, local teacher Sofia Robbani, spoke about the difference she sees during matches.
“At home she is a happy seven-year-old, but when you watch her play older girls at such a high level she looks completely different. Then the match ends and the little girl comes back again.”
Alayna trains with coach Becky Watts in Wanborough, with earlier support from Dave Morris at Delta and Craig Loxton of Swindon Tennis. From December she will begin strength and conditioning work with Manjit Dol of Absolutely Fit as she continues competing in higher age groups.
She will join the under ten Wiltshire training squad in 2026, where she will be the youngest player.
Alayna is now preparing for the national Grade two event in Surrey on 14 December, aiming to finish an exceptional year with another strong performance.
