Boulding set to be a smash for Villa

Should Tim Henman or Greg Rusedski finally conclude that their aspirations of Grand Slam success are unlikely to be fulfiled, perhaps they could follow the example of a former colleague and opt for a radical change of career.

Michael Boulding is adjusting to life as a Premiership player with Aston Villa, having signed for the club yesterday only three years after quitting professional tennis for football.

Boulding was ranked in the British top 20 but turned to football in 1999 at the age of 23 after impressing a Mansfield Town scout when playing in a pre-season friendly for Doncaster Rovers, with whom he had been doing some fitness work.

He spent two seasons with the Stags and signed a one-year deal with Grimsby Town 12 months ago. Now he has moved to Villa as a Bosman transfer on another 12-month contract after choosing them ahead of Everton and Middlesbrough.

What kind of impact he will make in the top flight remains to be seen, as he becomes Villa's third summer signing after Marcus Allback and Stefan Postma. His new manager Graham Taylor believes it is a gamble worth taking.

"Sometimes you get what they call a 'springer' in someone who arrives late on the scene, and that is the case with Michael," Taylor said. "He first came to my attention when he signed for Mansfield Town and started making up for lost time and I have been impressed whenever I have seen him play".

Perhaps an indication that Boulding made the right move is the fact that he managed to score a hat-trick for Grimsby last season – against Wimbledon.