THE devastated parents of a teenage tennis player have described him as a bright, caring young man.
Tom Atkinson, 19, of Garton-on-the-Wolds, died after the car in which he was a passenger was involved in an accident in Germany.
Tom had been competing in Poland and was preparing to play in a tournament in Munich.
He attended Garton-on-the-Wolds Primary School and Pocklington School before taking up tennis full time.
Tom had been inspired to start playing tennis at the age of eight by his older brother Ben, 22, also a keen player who has been completing a tennis scholarship in Carolina. Ben returned to the family home on being told the news.
Tom, who was 6ft 4ins tall, travelled to tournaments in Spain, Mexico, France and America, enjoying a successful junior career, gaining a sponsorship from the Rover Group. He also represented Great Britain and was a regular in the Yorkshire county team.
Yorkshire team manager, Gary Henderson, who partnered Tom in the inter-county championships at Southhampton, helping the Tykes to gain promotion to division one last year, said: "I am devastated. Tom was always a pleasure to be around."
He added: "Tom came from a great family".
"He had lots of friends and was always playing practical jokes."
Tom's parents, Rosie and Keith, said that their son's sporting prowess had made him many friends the world over, and this had been borne out by the many tributes and messages of condolence they had already received.
Mrs Atkinson said: "Tom will be remembered as much for his vibrant, outgoing personality as for his sporting achievements".
"He would sometimes play against world ranked players and then come home and play at Cherry Burton Tennis Club, a place he was particularly fond of."
Mr Atkinson added: "It was the friendship of the members and the social side of the game which Tom really enjoyed."
Tom had been preparing to play in a tournament in Munich when the accident happened last Friday.
Initial reports indicated that no other vehicle was involved in the accident at Baden Nauheim. German police are investigating. |
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