Leeds tennis ace served with “vital” support by Yorkshire care company

A tennis ace from Roundhay, Leeds, has secured sponsorship from a Yorkshire based care company for the fifth year running.

Luke Johnson is a professional 28-year-old tennis player who competes in between 25 and 30 tournaments every year, most of which are abroad. The support from Czajka Care Group will help towards the costs associated with competing.

Luke turned professional in 2017 after returning from the US, where he had spent four years obtaining a Bachelor of Science at Clemson University in South Carolina and honing his skills on the acclaimed US college tennis circuit.

This year, Luke, who is currently ranked at 683 in the world singles rankings and 430 in the doubles rankings, underwent surgery on his right knee for a torn lateral meniscus.

The sponsorship from Czajka Care Group, which owns and operates homes, throughout Nab Wood and the Aire Valley, will contribute towards Luke’s training, coaching, travel and equipment costs.

Luke (pictured left) said: “It costs around £25k to £30k every year to play in up to 30 tournaments, which is why corporate sponsorship is so vital. Czajka Care Group is the one firm that has supported me since the start, and I am hugely grateful.

“In February this year I had surgery on my knee, and I have spent the last few months rehabilitating and training in Leeds and London. I train six days a week for around seven hours every day, so it’s a huge commitment.

“Turning professional has been rewarding but you need to compete in lots of tournaments in order to climb the world rankings, which is very expensive, and the prize money simply doesn’t cover it at this level.”

Managing director of Czajka Care Group, Konrad Czajka (pictured right), who is a keen tennis player, said: “I love sport and tennis in particular. I enjoy a match or two every few months with Luke, although I never disclose the result! It’s a tough sport but Luke is very talented and dedicated and we feel very proud to help him with his professional career.”