WILTSHIRE'S Lewis Fletcher has been named in the Great Britain squad for the World Deaf Tennis Team Championships in Turkey later this week.

Fletcher, now based in Great Bedwyn, will join London's Esah Hayat representing Britain in the Dresse Cup, which along with the women's Maere Cup gets underway in Antalya on Saturday.

The team will be led by Fletcher's wife Catherine, the Tennis Foundation’s National Deaf Coach, who previously represented her country in the Maere Cup.

The Davis and Fed Cup-style tournament will see Great Britain line up as one of 10 men’s teams and eight women’s teams set to contest both cups.

Teams will begin their events with a series of round-robin ties before the knockout phase of the competition decides final placings. Each tie will consist of two singles and a doubles rubber.

For Fletcher it will be a fourth Dresse Cup after making his debut in 2003.

“Looking back on all the events I’ve played, the 2003 Dresse Cup is definitely up there as one of the best experiences I’ve had in deaf tennis – it was my first international event, the venue was amazing, the team was young and hungry and we won silver,” said the European medallist and two-time national singles champion.

“Now heading into my fourth Dresse Cup, I feel very privileged to still be around to compete and to share my experience with the younger players.''

Fletcher and Esah Hayat gained a confidence boost over the weekend when pairing up to win their first national doubles title together at the 2018 National Deaf Tennis Championships in London.

Catherine Fletcher added: “I’m really excited for this year’s Dresse and Maere Cup as we are travelling with three players who are making their debuts in the event, but who have gained valuable international experience in the last few years.

"It’s a long time since Lewis made his Dresse Cup debut for Great Britain and with his years of international experience and success and Esah’s international success in junior events, it will be great to see how that blend of youth and experience develops.''