logo
Hannah Klugman admits lots to learn after Wimbledon debut

Hannah Klugman admits lots to learn after Wimbledon debut

The 16-year-old was beaten 6-1, 6-3 by former US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez on her Grand Slam debut and admitted she was given a lesson by the Canadian on what it takes to compete at the very top.
But the Wimbledon native was more than happy to learn from the world No 29 and believes she now understands what is required to make the step up from the junior circuit.
'I'm disappointed a bit with how I played and also the outcome,' she said. 'There's a lot to learn from it.
'It kind of puts you back in your place a little bit, but also pushes me to do better. There's a lot to improve, and she exposed the things I need to work on.
'It also kind of wakes me up — I need to change a few things. It's just a different mentality.'
Klugman was a wildcard entry into the women's main draw — a reflection of the high regard in which her potential is held.
The teenager reached the final of the junior French Open in June but admitted there was nothing quite like stepping out at a senior Grand Slam.
'It was an amazing occasion,' she added. 'I loved the atmosphere and having my friends and family there. You don't get those moments often, so I tried to enjoy it.
'You can't replicate the experience. Playing the players I've played in the past three weeks — top players, top-50 players — these opportunities are priceless.
'I'm so grateful to have had this chance. If it weren't for the LTA and Wimbledon giving me this opportunity, I wouldn't have been able to do it.'
Klugman was one of 14 Brits in action on a bumper opening day and attracted a sizeable crowd out on Court 12.
The teenager's parents, grandfather, and swathes of her extended family were all packed into one of the outer courts, along with a large number of British fans cheering on one of their own.
'I didn't think it would be that amazing,' she reflected. 'I think it kind of got to me a bit — physically and mentally.
'It's amazing having that many people behind me at such a young age. It's also tough — you want to do well for them.'
For the latest action on the British summer grass court season, check out the LTA website.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Wimbledon Day Two Schedule - Draper begins title bid with Djokovic in action
Wimbledon Day Two Schedule - Draper begins title bid with Djokovic in action

Daily Mirror

time44 minutes ago

  • Daily Mirror

Wimbledon Day Two Schedule - Draper begins title bid with Djokovic in action

Jack Draper is the best hope of a British winner at Wimbledon and he'll begin his tournament at SW19 late on Tuesday having been scheduled for the final game on Court One Jack Draper will begins his bid for Wimbledon glory on Court One with the highest ranked Brit last up on Tuesday. The fourth seed arrives having made the last four at Queen's and will take on Argentine Sebastian Baez. It is one of the harder draws Draper, who made the last four at the US Open last year, could've been handed given Baez is ran ked 38th in the world. The 23-year-old will have to spend the day waiting with two matches before him on Court One on Day Two. ‌ Italy's World No 1 Jannik Sinner is first up before previous champion Petro Kvitova takes on 10th seed Emma Navarro from America. Centre Court, which many would've expected to see Draper playing on, is occupied by a host of champions. ‌ Women's singles winner from 12 months ago, Barbora Krejcikova, is first up before Novak Djokovic begins his bid for another title at SW19. Coco Gauff, fresh from winning the French Open, is also on Centre. Draper leads the British charge at the All England Club but he has plenty of his compatriots also in action. On Court 3 Johannus Monday will face American Tommy Paul, who is ranked 13th. Heather Watson starts proceedings on Court 12 before an all-British affair featuring Dan Evans and Jay Clarke. Jodie Burrage is third up on Court 18 whilst Jack Pinnington Jones, the 22-year-old from Kingston, is also in action on the outside courts. Draper meanwhile has welcomed his rise to be British tennis' headline attraction as he looks to make an impact on home soil for the first time. For so many years Andy Murray was the man who captured the nation's attention with Draper more than happy to fill the void. 'It's very nice when people reach out,' he said. 'I think within British tennis, especially, people know the work I've been through, the adversity I've gone through with injuries, the type of person I am where I'm always wanting to progress. I'm always wanting to understand how I can be better as a player.' Draper has only made it past the fourth round of a Grand Slam once and that came last year in New York, before his journey was ended by eventual champion Sinner. He will have been disappointed by his premature exit recently at the French Open. The Brits best effort on home soil so far is the second round - which he reached last year and in 2022. He arrived as the 28th seed 12 months ago but Draper was beaten by compatriot Cam Norrie, who ousted him in straight sets.

Princess Kate's classy gesture and message to Wimbledon star who asked for hug
Princess Kate's classy gesture and message to Wimbledon star who asked for hug

Daily Mirror

time44 minutes ago

  • Daily Mirror

Princess Kate's classy gesture and message to Wimbledon star who asked for hug

Kate Middleton has been tasked with handing out the trophies in the Wimbledon final in recent years and after losing in 2023 Ons Jabeur was happy to receive a hug from the Princess of Wales Ons Jabeur was almost inconsolable after losing the Wimbledon final in 2023 but Kate Middleton provided a much needed shoulder on Centre Court as she was tasked with handing out the winner's and the runner-up trophies. Jabeur came out second best in two consecutive Wimbledon finals as she was beaten by Elena Rybakina in 2022 and then Marketa Vondrousova a year later. Sandwiched in between that was a US Open final loss and the near misses were beginning to stack up. ‌ The Tunisian cut an emotional figure but one of the country's most loved women was on hand. The 28-year-old was consoled by the Princess of Wales after she presented her with the runners-up prize for the second straight year as the pair shared a long chat. ‌ Jabeur later admitted that the Princess wasn't sure whether she should go in for the hug but she was more than happy to have an embrace as Kate told her to return and go that one step further. The Tunisian said: "Obviously she was very nice. She didn't know if she wants to give me a hug or not. I told her hugs are always welcome from me." When asked what was said in their conversation Jabeur added: "Same thing after last year. To encourage me to be strong, to come back and win a Grand Slam, win a Wimbledon." On the loss she added: "This is very tough. It's the most painful loss of my career. It's painful because you feel so close to achieving something that you want, and actually back to square one. I felt a lot of pressure, a lot of stress. But, like every final, like every match, I was telling myself, 'It's OK, it's normal'. "I honestly did nothing wrong. I did everything that I could. I think things take time with me. It wasn't meant to be this time. Definitely this match, last year's match, the final of the US Open, will teach me how to win these finals. "I will definitely keep learning, keep being positive. I think that's the thing that will keep me going. Otherwise, if I'm going to be depressed about it, it's not going to help much." Kate Middleton has endured her health problems after being diagnosed with career, later undergoing chemotherapy, but the love of the nation was clear when she made only her second public appearance of the year at Wimbledon last year, where she was greeted by a standing ovation. There is no suggestion she won't attend Wimbledon this year despite skipping Royal Ascot.

‘Total mistake' - Wimbledon urged to scrap iconic rule after 62 years
‘Total mistake' - Wimbledon urged to scrap iconic rule after 62 years

Metro

timean hour ago

  • Metro

‘Total mistake' - Wimbledon urged to scrap iconic rule after 62 years

Billie Jean King has urged Wimbledon to scrap its strict dress code which forces players to wear all-white at the All England Club. Wimbledon's strict dress code has caused much controversy down the years, with tennis icon Andre Agassi boycotting the tournament for three years in a row because he was not allowed to wear whatever he wanted. Roger Federer, an eight-time Wimbledon, was reprimanded in 2013 for wearing trainers with orange soles and asked to change his footwear for his next match. Wimbledon's dress code has been in place since 1963 but dates back to the 19th century and the first edition of the tournament in 1877. White was chosen for a number of aesthetic and practical reasons, with white clothing reflecting light better and therefore retaining less heat. But it also has a history of elitism as white clothing was worn in social tennis events to show households had the means to keep their uniforms clean. King is less concerned about those connotations and more with the practicality for viewers watching Wimbledon on TV screens at home. Describing the dress code as a 'total mistake', she told the Daily Telegraph: 'There's a match that comes on, you sit down, and you look – let's say it's television – who's who? 'Tennis people say: 'Well, the mark is next to their name' [to indicate who is serving]. I shouldn't have to look at a mark, I shouldn't have to look at anything. I should know [who's who]. My sport drives me nuts. 'They shouldn't have the same uniforms on. They both have white on. You can change tradition.' King, who won a staggering 28 Grand Slam titles across singles and doubles, even suggested names and numbers added to tennis player's shirt, like in football. 'I'd have merch with their names on the back so they'd make money, the tournament makes money, everybody makes money,' the 81-year-old American added. 'We're losing out on millions and millions because of that. Numbers are really important! 'Kids love numbers and they can retire numbers – like a Federer. It's so obvious. Take what other sports are doing and what people like from other sports.' In 2023, Wimbledon allowed female players to wear coloured shorts under white tennis skirts to reduce fears around their menstrual cycles. 'When Wimbledon announced that about the under-shorts I was so happy because it makes such a big difference,' former British number one Heather Watson said. 'I speak openly about my period and being on my period. I don't think it's a taboo subject. I would love for people to talk about it more, especially women in sport. 'So, when I heard this I was really happy because last year I went on the pill to stop myself bleeding because I knew we had to wear white under-shorts, and I didn't want to face any embarrassment. 'We're running around sweating, doing the splits on the court. This year I knew my period was going to be during Wimbledon again, so I'm very happy that I won't have to do the same thing as last year. 'I think it's a real positive and it's really great. Really forward-thinking.' American great Agassi won Wimbledon in 1992 after boycotting the tournament for three years earlier in his career. 'It's my first time at the most hallowed venue in tennis, and from the moment we arrive I dislike it,' he wrote in his book Open. More Trending 'I'm a sheltered teenager from Las Vegas with no education. I reject all that's alien, and London feels as alien as a place can be. 'The food, the buses, the venerable traditions. Even the grass of Wimbledon smells different from the grass back home. 'I resent rules, but especially arbitrary rules. Why must I wear white? I don't want to wear white. Why should it matter to these people what I wear. 'Above all, I took offence at being barred and blocked and made to feel unwanted.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Novak Djokovic warned he is 'not at the level' of two Wimbledon rivals MORE: 'Bizarre' – Tim Henman criticises Wimbledon favourite Carlos Alcaraz MORE: Wimbledon day 2 order of play: What time are Jack Draper and Novak Djokovic playing?

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store