A POPULAR and apparently fit tennis coach died of sudden adult death dyndrome, an inquest heard yesterday.

Alex Watley, pictured, 23, was well known in his home town of Alresford where he coached youngsters in tennis and also played for Alresford Rugby Club.

As previously reported by the Daily Echo, hundreds of people packed out St John’s Church in his home town to pay their respects at his funeral.

The inquest heard how on December 30 he was found by his friend Stephen Phillips after the pair had been out the previous evening.

Mr Phillips said: “He was absolutely fine and if anything he was looking after me. He never mentioned anything about pain, he seemed fine.”

Pathologist Dr Hayley Burnley ruled out alcohol as a cause and said SADS was the most likely reason for death because no other obvious cause could be found.

Coroner for Central Hampshire Grahame Short recorded a verdict of death by natural causes due to SADS.

Since his death his family has been supported by charities including CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young) for which fundraising events have been held in memory of Alex.