Paul Ryb believes superior fitness levels enabled him to win the British Visually Impaired Tennis Championships for the third year in a row.

Ryb, 44, overcame arch rival Chris Bailey in the final of the B3-B4 category at the National Tennis Centre in Roehampton. This followed a semi-final success over Callum Lock, 18.

He said: “The main reason for my victories over the last three years, to be honest, is fitness.

“I do very intense one-on-one fitness and hand-eye coordination once a week in a kickboxing studio in Golders Green.

“It gets tougher every year – I get older and the others get younger. I’m convinced that gives me the edge over some of the better players. The aim is to maintain that level.”

The victory was Ryb’s fifth in six tournaments this year and he hopes to test himself against the world’s elite in the coming months.

"We’re hoping it’s going international next year,” he said.

"The British Tennis Association and LTA have pledged that there will be an international tournament.

"There are lots of countries playing visually impaired tennis now, and next year I hope to defend all my titles."

Meanwhile, John Barnett captained Herts over-75’s to the British Team Championships following a 3-1 victory over the West of Scotland.

Barnett and his partner won both their matches.