Latest news with #Hurlingham
The South African
15 hours ago
- Sport
- The South African
Wimbledon Qualifying serves up exciting appetiser
And just like that, the British grass season is in full swing. While the world's top players battle it out in grass tournaments across the United Kingdom this week, Wimbledon's Qualifying Competition remains conspicuously inconspicuous by comparison. Yet it deserves every bit of glory. Wimbledon's Qualifying Competition is held the week prior to The Championships (Monday, 23 June to Thursday, 26 June). Whilst there are some higher profile tournaments happening concurrently in London (Hurlingham and The Boodles), Wimbledon's Qualifying Competition should be a fixture in tennis fans' diaries. Main draw places on the line For a start, the £15 tickets (about R366), are a steal. Fans are treated to men's and women's singles, from 11:00 till dusk, to determine the final main draw places for The Championships 2025. For those unsuccessful in securing a ticket for The Championships, Wimbledon's Qualifying Competition is an extension of the main event in more ways than one. Whilst qualifying takes place off-site (Wimbledon is the only major that holds its qualifying tournament off-site), the courts, infrastructure, signage, staff, and even the strawberries are all managed by The All England Lawn Tennis Club. It is quintessentially Wimbledon. As for the players, there is every chance of seeing a past champion or two, or a rising star from last month's Roland-Garros. Take former US Open Champion Bianca Andreescu, for starters. The Canadian drew crowds who got more bang for their £15, in watching her progress to the second round, when she lost to compatriot Carson Branstine in three sets – 7-6 (7/3), 4-6, 6-1. Branstine also defeated French hope Lois Boisson, the fairytale star of last month's Roland-Garros, where the then ranked 361 wildcard progressed to the semi-finals. Whilst her ranking shot up to world No 65 as a result, Boisson still had to go through Wimbledon Qualifying, as she was outside the top 400 at the time of applying. Sadly the magic wasn't repeated, as she was defeated in three closely fought sets 6-2, 6-7 (7/1), 6-4. Wimbledon 2024 and Australian Open 2025 doubles champion Taylor Townsend of the USA is through to the main draw after upsetting Swiss hope Celine Naeff in a straight sets victory in Thursday's final (6-3, 6-3). Former world No 11 Alizé Cornet's Wimbledon hopes were dashed in Thursday's final, after a two sets (7-5, 6-1) defeat by fellow Frenchwoman Elsa Jacquemot. Cornet came out of retirement earlier this year after a year off, during which she published a second novel, and appeared in a reality television show. Britain's hopes, however, look bright thanks to world No 719 Oliver Tarvet, who has secured a Wimbledon main draw place. His defeat of world No 144 Alexander Blockx of Germany (6-3, 3-6, 6-2, 6-1) in Thursday's final qualifying round means that Wimbledon's main draw will have the highest number of British players (23), since 1984. The Championships, Wimbledon begin on Monday, 30 June. Amisha Savani is reporting exclusively from the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon for The South African . Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Jack Draper admits he's thrilled to lead British charge at Wimbledon and gives health update after tonsillitis struggle
On the eve of the Wimbledon draw, Jack Draper is ready to fulfil his childhood dream of leading the British charge. 'It's going to be a privilege to play as the British No 1, that's what I've always wanted,' said the world No 4 at the Hurlingham Club. 'I've wanted to make Centre Court my environment. 'I'm full of excitement knowing the crowd is right behind me, that I'm going to be playing on the courts I wanted to play on since I was young, watching Andy Murray, watching all these great players. It's sinking in that I'm there now: I've got the chance to show people what I can do.' The Wimbledon draw takes place at 10am on Friday. San Diego college student Oliver Tarvet won through qualifying on Thursday to make it 23 British players in the singles draws, the most since 1984. 'A lot of British players, a lot of British talent,' said Draper. 'It is really exciting for the public to have so many good people in the draw from this country. 'It is a great opportunity for us all. I feel strong, I feel ready.' There will be 23 Brits in the singles draws, the most since 1984 - pictured, Emma Raducanu Draper won an exhibition match against Holger Rune at Hurlingham, his first outing since smashing an advertising board in defeat by Jiri Lehecka in the semi-finals at Queen's Club. He was struggling with tonsillitis that week but said: 'I've been on antibiotics, got over it. I already feel so much better. Got my energy back, that's for sure. Sometimes you don't realise how bad you were at the time.'
