Britain’s three female teenage wild cards introduced themselves to the Wimbledon crowds with merit despite all exiting the tournament on the opening day.
Mimi Xu, 17, and 16-year-olds Hannah Klugman and Mika Stojsavljevic all showed glimpses of their talent as they exited the senior draw against much higher-ranked players in SW19.
Swansea’s Xu had the unenviable task of facing fellow Briton Emma Raducanu, ranked 278 places higher and a natural fan favourite since making her own teenage breakthrough at the tournament four years ago.
Xu garnered plenty support of her own, however, and made her presence felt with an impressive serve that reached speeds approaching 120mph at times.
Raducanu’s 6-3 6-3 victory was a job well done in the end, but Xu will surely have many more opportunities to further endear herself to tennis fans in SW19.
She said: “Obviously it’s not my dream debut, my dream debut would have definitely been to have won, but I’m so honored that this is my debut.
“I got to play on an amazing court with an amazing crowd, such a great atmosphere, against an amazing opponent.
“I feel like it’s made me believe in myself, believe in my game that it’s there, that the good stuff is really there. It’s really good, but it’s just being able to do it more consistently.
“It’s really put belief in me, ignited a fire within me that I can do this, and I belong here.
“I just really wanted it to last a tiny bit longer, but I loved every single moment out there.”
Wimbledon local Klugman faced former US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez, ranked 38, on her first experience of the main draw and as the youngest British player at the tournament.
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Though losing the first set 6-1 when taking time to find her feet in the sweltering heat, Klugman rallied in the second to give her 22-year-old opponent a little more to think about before an eventual 6-3 loss.
“That was obviously my first main-draw match and against such a tough opponent. It was an amazing occasion and I loved the atmosphere,” she said.
“I tried to enjoy it but it was tough today. Conditions were tough, it was hot.
“I’m disappointed a bit with how I played and also the outcome, there’s a lot to learn from it.”
Of the support she received from a home crowd assembled on her own doorstep, Klugman added: “I didn’t think it would be that amazing.
“I think it kind of got to me a little bit at one point, physically and mentally. That’s amazing having that many people behind me at such a young age.”
Stojsavljevic made her debut against the American Ashlyn Krueger, losing 6-3 6-2 to the 31st seed.
