First Grand Slam full of 'pinch me' moments for Xu

Yahoo

06-07-2025

Mimi Xu was the first Welsh player to enter the Wimbledon main singles draw in 20 years [Getty Images]
Wimbledon 2025
Dates: 30 June-13 July Venue: All England Club
Coverage: Live across BBC TV, radio and online with extensive coverage on BBC iPlayer, Red Button, Connected TVs and mobile app. Full coverage details.
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With her smile lighting up the first week of Wimbledon, British wildcard Mimi Xu says her maiden Grand Slam has been filled with "pinch me moments."
The 17-year-old from Swansea said it only felt like yesterday when she was waiting outside the practice courts asking Novak Djokovic and Rafa Nadal for autographs.
But this week Xu was the one fans were approaching for selfies.
"When I was at Aorangi, there's a fence along the side and people were saying 'oh Mimi can I get a picture', and I just remember when I was on the other side of the fence," she said.
A promising junior, Xu concentrated on the ladies circuit this season and enjoyed notable success at the Birmingham Open, where she defeated the top seed Alycia Parks.
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It would lead to her being awarded a wildcard to compete in the ladies singles and doubles at the prestigious All England Club.
If that was not the stuff of teenage dreams, Xu drew British number one Emma Raducanu in the opening round, walking out to 15,000 fans on court one.
Xu showed glimpses of her potential in her 6-3 6-3 defeat and said afterwards she "loved every single moment".
And in a sincere show of appreciation, she used most of her allocation in her player box for her former coaches, with her mum joking there was very little room for family.
Xu returned to court on Wednesday when she reunited with fellow British wildcard Ella McDonald in the ladies doubles.
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They defeated Linda Noskova and Rebecca Sramkova 6-4 6-7 6-3 in an impressive showing for two teenagers.
"After Monday, to be able to bounce back in doubles and get a first ever Grand Slam win, it's honestly a great feeling," said Xu.
"The last time we played together was three years ago and we won that tournament, so to pick it up from there and carry on our winning streak, it feels great.
"We're really positive and supportive of each other, so if we miss a volley or something, we just go to the next one."
Despite the match being played on one of the outer courts, Xu said it was "such a great atmosphere".
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Some of her former teachers were among the Welsh contingent in the crowd.
"It was really funny because someone was shouting 'come on Olchfa' which was the secondary school I went to in Wales, it felt amazing," she added.
Mimi Xu and Ella McDonald won their first round match in the ladies doubles [Getty Images]
Xu and McDonald returned to court three on Saturday, where they faced seeded duo Caroline Dolehide and Sophia Kenin, with the Americans proving too powerful for the young Brits, winning 6-2 6-3.
"It was a tough one obviously," said McDonald, "they played really well and took it out of our hands, but again we enjoyed it and being able to step out on court again."
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Despite their disappointment, both she and Xu reflected on what had been an incredible experience at Wimbledon.
"Everything, it's so nice, the whole set up on and off the court, being here is a privilege," said McDonald, while Xu added: "This is definitely one of my favourite tournaments, probably is my favourite, it's the atmosphere, the crowds, I couldn't ask for anything more being a British tennis player."
Xu was back in action on Sunday in what will be her final Junior Wimbledon outing.
It is a tournament she has previously enjoyed success in having reached the final of the girls doubles with Mika Stojsavljevic in 2024.
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Xu came from a set down to beat American Thea Frodin 2-6 6-4 7-5 and to book her place in the second round.
"It's really special that I get to do my first year of seniors and my last year of juniors, I'm really grateful for that," said Xu.
"It's such a special place to be, Wimbledon, being my first ever Slam experience, it's so amazing."
It has been a hectic year for Xu who has been balancing A Level exams with her playing career. She even took one exam while in full tennis kit such is her commitment to both.
But one more test does lie ahead for Xu who was asked if she had anything planned for her prize money.
"I'm doing an intensive [driving] course after this and hopefully my test soon," she said.