Monday insistent on savouring Grand Slam singles debut despite loss
Returning to SW19 for the first time since 2023, where he teamed up with Jacob Fearnley in doubles, the Hull native made his maiden bow as a solo act on Tuesday, as he took on the world Paul on No.3 Court.
Despite his best efforts, he was defeated by the American 6-4 6-4 6-2 but while Monday admitted he was taught a lesson about what it takes to compete at the very top, he is determined to absorb as much as he can from their encounter.
"It was very cool. It was always a dream of mine to play singles at Wimbledon on a big court," said Monday.
"There are only 12 players better than Tommy Paul in the world right now so he's a pretty good player.
"It was a very difficult match, and I felt the pressure going into it. Not an expectation to win but it's a different feeling walking onto that court.
"You're playing for a lot on the line but it was a dream come true for me to walk onto a court like that.
"I just tried to just really savour the moment and enjoy it as much as I can.
"I had a chat with my coach after and said today's not the day to nitpick my game. We can do that the other 364 days of the year.
"After I've let the dust settle, I'll look back at the match and watch for the things I can take away because there are a lot of things I can take away but that's to talk about in the coming days, not hours after the match.
"What a cool experience this has been. It's a dream of mine come true and I want to savour that moment because it doesn't come around too often."
Monday won't have to wait too long to recapture the dream, with the 23-year-old teaming up with David Stevenson as men's doubles wild cards and he revealed that he is raring for anther go at the lawns of SW19.
"I'm never going to complain about playing more matches at Wimbledon, added Monday. "Whether it's singles, doubles, touch-tennis, sign me up I'll play every single match I can here.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Reuters
22 minutes ago
- Reuters
Sabalenka sees off Bouzkova to reach Wimbledon third round
LONDON, July 2 (Reuters) - Aryna Sabalenka was given a tougher workout than she would have wanted before the top seed dismantled Czech Marie Bouzkova 7-6(4) 6-4 to advance to the third round of Wimbledon on Wednesday. As the sun played hide-and-seek with the grey clouds that hovered over Centre Court, Sabalenka kept knocking on the door in the opening set, but was shut out by Bouzkova each time and dropped serve with a double fault in the 11th game. A frustrated Sabalenka let out a scream when she failed to convert a breakpoint in the next game, but the 27-year-old quickly composed herself to force a tiebreak with a backhand winner on her next opportunity. "That was a tough moment in the match," Sabalenka said. "I was just trying to put the ball back on that side and then hope that I'd be able to break her back, because until that point, my returns weren't great enough to break her serve and I'm really glad everything clicked. "I felt a bit better in that moment and I think that's why I was able to win the tiebreak and get the win in straight sets." The three-times Grand Slam champion from Belarus, who has a golden opportunity to win her first Wimbledon title with several seeds losing early, led the tiebreak after a couple of errors from Bouzkova and wrapped up the set with a forehand winner. An untimely error at the net by Bouzkova gifted Sabalenka the break in the fifth game of the second set and there was no looking back from there with the twice semi-finalist holding firm to close out the win. Sabalenka said she was focused on avoiding the trapdoor after second seed Coco Gauff, number three Jessica Pegula, fifth seed Zheng Qinwen and number nine Paula Badosa were all sent packing in the first round. "Honestly, it's very sad to see so many top players losing in the first round, but you're better off focusing on yourself and staying away from the results," Sabalenka added. "Of course, you're going to know the overall picture, but it's better just to take it one step at a time and do your best every time you're out here competing. "I hope there are no more upsets in this tournament." Up next for Sabalenka is either local favourite Emma Raducanu or 2023 champion Marketa Vondrousova.
Scottish Sun
25 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Brit Wimbledon star Oliver Tarvet's girlfriend stuns in low-cut dress as she watches him take on Carlos Alcaraz
Tarvet and his girlfriend study at a university in the US ONE LOVE Brit Wimbledon star Oliver Tarvet's girlfriend stuns in low-cut dress as she watches him take on Carlos Alcaraz WIMBLEDON star Oliver Tarvet's girlfriend turned heads as she watched the British ace take on Carlos Alcaraz. The world No.733 faces the reigning champion on Centre Court this afternoon. Advertisement 8 Oliver Tarvet's girlfriend Helaena Staebler supported him on Centre Court Credit: PA 8 Helaena was all smiles in the Tarvet player's box Credit: PA 8 She stunned in a low-cut blue dress Credit: PA 8 Helaena hails from California Credit: Threads @ Tarvet was cheered on by his coaches, family and girlfriend Helaena Staebler from his player's box. Helaena, 20, caught the eye from the stands in a stunning low-cut blue dress. Tarvet, who is making his Grand Slam debut at Wimbledon, plays college tennis for the University of San Diego. It was there where he met brunette beauty Helaena and they have been together for a year. Advertisement St Albans-born Tarvet is a communications major when he is not on the court and his partner from California studies biology. The couple shared a kiss after he won his first-round match on Monday, beating Leandro Reidi in straight sets. Tarvet won three matches in qualifying to make the main draw. He has already banked £99,000 by making the second round at SW19. Advertisement 8 Wimbledon 2025 LIVE - follow all the latest scores and updates from a thrilling fortnight at SW19 But due to National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) rules, Tarvet is not allowed to take winnings from competitions outside of the college set-up. However, his coach Ryan Keckley says he is able to claim plenty of his prize money in 'actual necessary expenses over the course of a calendar year'. Advertisement The odds are stacked against Tarvet versus two-time Wimbledon winner Alcaraz. But it is a challenge he is relishing, according to girlfriend Helaena, who said: "I've always believed in him - it's just what you've got to do. "I have no words, I haven't even been able to process this. "It's gonna be amazing, I'm very excited, I'm sure he's very excited as well." Advertisement 8 The couple met at San Diego University, who Tarvet competes for Credit: Threads @ 8 They have been together for a year Credit: Threads @
Scottish Sun
25 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Cam Norrie battles back from a set down to beat Frances Tiafoe and romp into Wimbledon third round
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CAMERON NORRIE battled from a set down to beat Frances Tiafoe and book his place in round three. Norrie reached the Wimbledon semi-finals in 2022 and with the draw opening up, will be hopeful of another deep run again. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Cameron Norrie earned a four-set victory over Frances Tiafoe Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 3 Tiafoe was seeded 12th and took the opening set Credit: PA He faced the No12 seed Tiafoe - himself a former Grand Slam semi-finalist - on No1 Court. And the world No61 Brit produced the shock in front of an adoring home crowd. Tiafoe took the opener 6-4 and looked to be in control. But Norrie came roaring back, digging deep to rattle off the next three sets - breaking the American right at the end of the fourth. He wrapped up the 4-6 6-4 6-3 7-5 victory in just shy of three hours on court. And the former world No8 will face either Mattia Bellucci or Queen's finalist Jiri Lehecka in round three. Lehecka downed British No1 Jack Draper in the semis at Queen's before losing to Carlos Alcaraz in the final. THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY.. The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball.
