Jacob Fearnley has enjoyed a remarkable rise since making his Wimbledon debut last year but admits he’ll still get goosebumps walking through the famous gates tomorrow morning.
The Scot starts his campaign on Court One against the exciting 18-year-old Brazilian, Joao Fonseca, who is making his own first appearance at the tournament.
Last year, Fearnley faced Novak Djokovic on Centre Court, having been ranked outside the top 500 a little more than a month before, and even took a set off the seven-time champion in his second-round defeat.
‘It is a bit different,’ he told BBC Sport. ‘I have to keep reminding myself that this is still a really special place and not to take it for granted.
‘Coming in as a wildcard last year, I was in complete awe and, to be honest, I still am. I get goosebumps when I walk in the gates.’
It’s a tough ask first up as Fearnley, 23, has lost to Fonseca in both of their previous encounters, most recently at Indian Wells in March.
Jacob Fearnley says he is still in awe of Wimbledon, a year after his tournament debut
Fearnley is hoping to build on his performance against Novak Djokovic 12 months ago
The 18-year-old Brazilian, Joao Fonseca, will be a tough first-round opponent for Fearnley
‘There’s a reason why everyone talks about him,’ said Fearnley. ‘He’s earned that respect from all the players.
‘It’s going to be a difficult match, playing on Court One. It doesn’t get much better than that.’
Fonseca is realising a long-held dream in playing at Wimbledon and, while he may not receive the same raucous support he enjoyed in places like Miami this season, he is looking forward to experiencing the British crowd.
‘It’s difficult to be as loud as the Brazilians,’ he said. ‘Hopefully there’s going to be some Brazilians cheering for me.
‘For sure it’s going to be a good match. Jacob is a nice friend and a nice player.
‘Even on Court One, it’s just going to be a dream playing my first match here in Wimbledon.
‘I’m just enjoying every week, there’s a lot of first times for me and I’m just going to enjoy it a lot.
‘This tournament is a dream, everything you can see is perfect. Even the flowers, every detail is just perfect. You just see how amazing it is.
‘It’s for sure my favourite grand slam because of the culture and the history of Wimbledon.
‘Every kid that plays tennis and wants to be a professional wants to come here.’
