Cheadle Hulme tennis sensation Eve Daniels admits she has to pinch herself in amazement when she thinks about following in Andy Murray’s footsteps by strutting her stuff at Wimbledon.
After the likes of British No.1 Murray, Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams showed what they can do at this year’s Wimbledon, Daniels can rest safe in the knowledge that she too will soon follow suit.
The 14-year-old has long been known as one to watch for the future and was at it again as she claimed victory in the HSBC Road to Wimbledon North Regional Qualifier at the Ilkley Tennis Club in Yorkshire.
Daniels, who trains at USN Bolton Arena and David Lloyd in Cheadle, will now play in the HSBC Road to Wimbledon 14 & Under Challenge at the All England Club between August 10-15.
Murray made history at Wimbledon back in 2013 when he became the first British winner of the Grand Slam in 77 years, and Cheadle Hulme High School student Daniels admits she can’t wait to grace the hallowed turf.
“I played last year and went out in the first round, so it is brilliant to come back and get through this time,” she said.
“I find it difficult playing on grass, and this year I was even more determined to win after getting the experience last year.
“I don’t get to play on grass often, and these tournaments help you learn. You need to be patient as you can get some very fast bounces, and you have to try and get the big hit in before your opponent or you can end up on the back foot very quickly.
“I’m so excited to go to Wimbledon, and I’m looking forward to the experience and being able to play even more tennis on grass.
“I’ve been to watch there before, but never played, and if I could meet Serena Williams or Rafa Nadal that would be brilliant.
“I love Serena as she’s a big hitter and has a great mentality.”
Daniels was not the only Cheadle starlet in action, as 13-year-old Manchester Grammar student Adam Bolchover also took to the court, but exited in the first round.
UNLUCKY LOSER: Manchester Grammar’s Adam Bolchover unfortunately exited the Road to Wimbledon qualifiers at the first round stage
The HSBC Road to Wimbledon 14 & under Challenge began in 2002 and is an All England Club junior event initiative supported by the LTA – it has now expanded into Asia with a pilot scheme run in India seeing events held in Delhi and Mumbai.
It is the largest junior tournament in the UK, involving some 850 clubs, parks and schools with youngsters bidding to reach the national final at the All England Club.
And former British No.1 Tim Henman is urging Daniels to make the most of her Wimbledon adventure.
“Congratulations to Eve on winning the HSBC Road to Wimbledon Regional Final, she now has a brilliant opportunity to play at Wimbledon in the National Finals,” Henman said.
“Hopefully this will help inspire Eve in her junior career and may even lead to her eventually playing at The Championships as a professional player.”
The HSBC Road to Wimbledon National 14 & Under Challenge is the UK’s largest national junior grass court tournament and forms part of HSBC’s investment in the stars of the future.
