Reading Romanian philosophy, investing in cryptocurrency and playing mini golf are among the favorite activities of the British tennis stars at this year’s Wimbledon.
Top British players Ryan Penniston, Alastair Gray and Yuriko Miyazaki spoke to the Palestinian Authority News Agency about what they are doing off the field.
Best friends Gray and Peniston fulfilled their childhood dream of playing a men’s doubles match together for the tournament this year.
Advertising
As underdogs, they were beaten by American Jackson Withrow along with Joran Flegin – but both scored victories in their first singles matches.
Their winnings put a collective price of £56,000 into the bowl of the house they plan to rent together in the Wimbledon area.
After playing with young children in District SW19 at a community tennis event on Saturday, players revealed what they would do in their new home.
“I’m a TV geek, and a movie geek, so I watch a lot of Netflix and am a huge Marvel fan,” said Southend-born Benniston, 26.
Gray, 24, of Twickenham, said Peniston brought him into the Marvel franchise as he slowly made his way through all 28 films.
He said: I always ask him for recommendations and he always answers yes and gives a scale of 10.
“I’ve been browsing the Marvel series now, since the premiere, and I’m now on Thors. I also love Iron Man.
He said his favorite movie so far is Spider-Man: Homecoming, starring Tom Holland as Peter Parker.
Gray said that one of his main interests was tracking cryptocurrency after his coach pushed him to invest in digital.
He told PA, “It’s kind of serpentine.
“Learning about different projects, it would sound cliched, but the future funding of the world is exciting, and that’s what interests me.
“My coach Devin Bowen is a coding teacher and teaches me techniques.
“I try to be as informed a little as him.”
The couple said they also enjoy playing mini golf and enjoying “a cup of tea and a snack” at local cafes.
Born in Tokyo, Miyazaki transferred her athletic allegiance from Japan to Britain in March, after spending most of her life in the United Kingdom.
The 26-year-old said she had the support of her mother, Akiko, 57, a former professional pianist, and father Yuichi, 62, who works in finance, in her Wimbledon debut this year.
“They’re really, really supportive,” she said.
“From an early age they also had to sacrifice a lot for tennis and I am really grateful to them.
“It’s been my dream to play at Wimbledon since I was very young, so I think they loved every minute too.”
Miyazaki said she enjoys playing the piano, playing golf, and reading about Roman philosophy in her little spare time outside of training.
“I recently got into books on philosophy, stoicism, and stuff,” she says.
“Now, I’m reading Meditations by Mark Orwell.
“I like reading a lot of different kinds of books.”
When asked if she has applied any of her philosophical learning to tennis, she answers, “Maybe, yes.
“It gives you useful perspectives on life, and it carries over into tennis as well.”
The players were taking part in a community event on Saturday at Wimbledon Park, organized by the Tennis Association (LTA), the sport’s governing body.
All three exited the tournament this year after close performances – but they hope to return stronger to the grass at Wimbledon 2023.