Thursday, September 19, 2024

Hannah Klugman: British 15-year-old one win away from reaching main Wimbledon draw

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Klugman, who turned 15 in February, grew up playing at Westside Tennis Club, which is less than two miles from Centre Court at Wimbledon.

“I was probably about three when I could actually hold a racket,” she said after being granted a wildcard to the junior tournament at the All England Club aged 13 in 2022.

“My sisters used to play when I was younger so they brought me into the game, my mum used to play as well – still plays – and I used to hit with them on the side of the court.

“It’s massively special. I’ve been here every year watching and for me to play here this year is insane. I literally live five minutes away.”

Klugman reached the US Open junior singles quarter-finals in September 2023 and the following month became the youngest player to qualify for a $100,000 (£80,000) event on the ITF World Tour, reaching the quarter-finals in Shrewsbury. The record was previously held by Gauff.

Klugman went on to land the Orange Bowl, whose past winners included future Grand Slam champions Chris Evert, Caroline Wozniacki, Bianca Andreescu and Gauff, who was 14 when she won it in 2018.

At Roehampton, the British teenager was watched by her parents, two of her sisters and friends as she hit six aces and 33 winners.

Her beaten opponent Fruhvirtova, 19, was ranked inside the top 50 this time last year.

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