TENNIS MOURNS LOSS OF THRELFALL

Sky Sports commentator Bill Threlfall has died at the age of 81.

Threlfall was the voice of tennis on Sky Sports since the channel's launch, commentating as recently as the ABN Amro Tournament in Rotterdam on February 25.

A former pilot in the Fleet Air Arm, Bill also won eight Royal Navy Men's Singles tennis titles - a record that still stands today, and played in the Men's Championship at Wimbledon during the 1950s.

He also won the National Veterans Championship five times and played for both England and Great Britain in a number of competitions.

Bill began coaching in Italy in 1967 and coached at the Hurlingham Club in London for the best part of three decades. He started his career as a commentator in 1974 before joining Sky Sports in 1989.

Viewers will fondly remember him working on events including the Davis Cup, the US Open, ATP Masters Tennis Series and many more.

Andy Melvin, Sky Sports' Deputy Managing Director said: "The fact that Bill was not only broadcasting on live tennis into his 80s but also still coaching and playing a mean game tells you something about the man.

"His enthusiasm, energy and that golden voice will be missed by all at Sky Sports and throughout tennis."