A BUTCHER has proved he is top of the chops after a round-the-clock tennis marathon saw him smash a world record.

Matthew Alden was celebrating with a well-deserved glass of bubbly on Sunday after playing a gruelling 27 real tennis matches in a row, starting at 7am the day before.

The managing director of Alden butchers in Osney battled his way through to victory, breaking the former Guinness World Record of 26 matches.

His triumph was extra special as the epic 22-hour battle raised cash for a charity founded by his late childhood friend.

Mr Alden said: "I loved every minute of it which made it easier and I'm now a world record holder, which is bizarre. But I don't see it as that because it was a team effort.

"It's a world record for us all. It has not quite sunk in yet. I feel proud, it's a great personal achievement.

"It was not just a physical challenge, it was more of a mental challenge."

Abingdon Road resident Mr Alden set out on his mission to become the world record holder of playing the most consecutive number of real tennis games after being challenged by a friend.

Not only did he rise to the challenge, but he decided to turn up the pressure and raise cash for charity Many Hopes, which was set up by school friend Bradden Young.

Mr Young, a fellow pupil of The Dragon School who died in July 2014, launched his charity to provide homes and education to youngsters in Kenya who survive abuse.

Mr Alden, 41, who will get official confirmation of his new title in about six weeks, added: "I’m not one to shy away from a challenge.

"My friend organised it all, got all my opponents together and so all I have had to do is train and show up on the day.

"But I thought if I’m going to try and break a world record, I should also use this as an opportunity to raise money.

"I knew Bradden when I was about six and we used to play sports together. I thought what better way to honour his memory than to raise money for this amazing charity which he set up."

Mr Alden fought his way through 27 three-set games of real tennis, which is played with a solid ball on an enclosed court, at Merton Street's Real Tennis Court.

He said he had a total 70-minute break during the epic tennis rally, which left him feeling "jet-lagged" at the end of his feat.

Family of friends of Mr Young were also close by, watching the world record holder thrash his way to his final tennis match.

Mr Alden, who raised more than £1,300 for Many Hopes and charity KEEN, said: "When you think of the money you can raise for others, it makes it all worthwhile."

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