DOWNEND padel player Ruby Mathias made the last 16 in the adult category of the sport’s UK national championships.
The 13-year-old Downend School pupil has started to play LTA grade 1 competitions in the indoor racquet sport, which include fixtures full-time professional athletes.
At the national UK Padel event, held in Bristol, she entered both the under-18 and adult categories.
Dad Stuart said: “She faced world-ranked players, which at 13 some may find daunting – but she shows no fear.”
Ruby has also won recent LTA events in Kenilworth and Staffordshire, and in November played the top-ranked GB women at the Adidas HOP finals in Derby, in front of a live and streamed audience.
In 2026 she is planning to play in international competitions and take part in GB junior squad camps.