Mimi Xu makes her senior debut as she looks forward to Wimbledon qualifying

Wales tennis ace Mimi Xu embraced the experience of senior-level competition after making her LTA’s Ilkley Trophy bow against Yanina Wickmayer this week.
Xu won both the Under 16 and Under 18 Junior National Championships earlier this year, and received a wildcard into the ITF Women’s World Tour event in West Yorkshire.
The teenager fell 6-2 6-2 to Wickmayer, a former US Open semi-finalist, though believes there is plenty she can learn from facing an experienced opponent.
She said: “I guess it’s a big jump from Juniors to Women’s and I’m not really used to it, but it’s a good experience. I’ve played a few 25Ks but this is my first 100K event.
“I feel like it was a good experience for me and I can learn lots from it. She has probably been in these moments before and it just kind of showed today, but there’s a lot I can take from it and I’m headed in the right direction, especially before next week. I try to stay calm and just focus on my goals.”
Up next for Xu is Wimbledon qualifying, with the Bridgend-born star having received a wildcard into the event at Roehampton from the All England Club.
“Playing in the Grand Slam events is what we all dream about and I can’t wait to play the Wimbledon qualifying now,” stated Xu, who beat her fellow Loughborough Academy player Talia Neilson-Gatenby, 16, in the Final of the event staged at the home of the LTA.
“I’m excited to play Wimbledon qualofying. It will be a great experience.”
Xu played both Junior singles and doubles at Wimbledon last year, but qualifying presents the opportunity for her to play in the senior event for the first time.
Latest
-
Tennis News
WATCH: ‘Greek god’ Marton Fucsovics takes shirt off to reveal ripped body
Marton Fucsovics shows off his muscles again.
-
WTA Tour
Aryna Sabalenka eyes Iga Swiatek’s No 1 spot – Why Sabalenka could usurp the Pole in the coming months
Aryna Sabalenka’s world No 1 goal could be within touching distance.
-
ATP Tour
What Novak Djokovic needs to do to be top seed at French Open
Novak Djokovic has a big chance to be back at No 1 in time for the French Open.
-
Wimbledon
Wimbledon reach verdict on Russian players with announcement imminent
The decision on whether Russian and Belarusian players can compete at Wimbledon this summer has been made.
-
Tennis News
Tennis legend predicts how many Grand Slams Novak Djokovic will win
Novak Djokovic is “going to be winning majors as long as he’s healthy”.
-
WTA Tour
Aryna Sabalenka, WTA and Steve Simon slammed as tension in tennis continues to escalate
All is not well in women’s tennis.
-
ATP Tour
Carlos Alcaraz off the mark in Miami as Jimmy Connors explains why he is head and shoulders above his peers
Carlos Alcaraz up and running in Miami as Jimmy Connors waxes lyrical about Spaniard.
-
WTA Tour
WTA accused of ignoring request for meeting with Ukrainian players – ‘Just silence’
Ukrainian players want to meet with the WTA board.