Sussex were due to take on the All England Club on clay at Wimbledon today.

The AELTC offer an invitation each year to a different county to play the challenge match.

County skipper Richard Walmsley believes the fixture is recognition for Sussex's achievements.

He said: "It is the first time we've been invited to play them and is a great honour which reflects that we are now a county worth recognising.

"After all, we've earned promotion three years in succession in the national inter-county summer competition."

Walmsley, though, was beset by illness and lack of availability on the eve of the clash.

He said: "Jordan Freitas was required to play for his school (St Bedes, Upper Dicker) because he is on a scholarship to them, and Barry Scollo has a mild form of glandular fever.

"With the like of Jon Monk and Ollie Foreman in America, and Martin Lee on the pro tour, they would have been No.1 and No.2"

The Sussex LTA are planning an award in memory of its late president Robert Cushing, who died recently.

It intends to present the award to an "unsung and unpaid" servant of Sussex tennis.

Pavilion and Avenue, the Hove home to British No.2 Julie Pullin, are to take part in the LTA's Play Tennis on May 5 and 6 . They will offer their facilities and coaching for free. It is part of a national initiative.

Sussex youngsters represent the county in the first Sun Alliance South East under-10s tournament at Horsham this weekend.

Robert Lee (Brighton), Karl Kafparis (Worthing), Michael Goode (East Grinstead) and Matthew Gooledge (Eastbourne) fly the county flag.

The Sussex squads for the LTA National Under-13 Inter County Championships from May 5-7 have been announced.

The girls (at Nottingham) include: Francesca Scollo, Amy Harris, Nicola Lee, Olivia Smith, Katie Russo and Lisa Wells.

The boys (at Aldershot): Alan Wright, Adam Hassan, Charlie Nichols, Khalil Kafparis, Matthew Wilson and Mark Hazzard.