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Aug 2021

Last Updated: 27/08/2021

Community

Young Harrogate tennis star, 12, makes Wimbledon debut

by Newsroom

| 27 Aug, 2021

Emi made it to the quarter final of the junior tournament despite being one of 9,000 to compete.

A pupil from Ashville College has competed in a juniors tournament at the famous Wimbledon ground.

12-year-old Emi Linley made her way to the doubles quarter final in a six day juniors tournament.

The Road to Wimbledon under-14s tournament saw pupils across the country compete on Wimbledon's grass courts.

Emi was one of two players in Yorkshire to be selected as part of an initiative by All England Lawn Tennis Club.

9,000 pupils across the country competed, making it the largest junior girls competition in the country. Only 120 made it to the quarter-finals in which Emi competed.

Emi has been tennis training since she was four years old and now trains a minimum of 12 hours a week. She said;

"This was my first time playing at Wimbledon, and it was a great experience. It felt very special being there and I’m determined to win a place again next year."

Duncan Archer, Ashville’s head of sports development, said:

“This is a fantastic achievement for Emi, and she should be incredibly proud of reaching the finals of this national tennis tournament.

“Almost 9,000 young players took part in this competition and Emi was one of just 120 who made it through to the finals. She is a fantastic tennis player and regularly beats competitors older than her.

“While this may have been Emi’s Wimbledon debut, I can assure you it won’t be her last.”

She is currently hoping for a victory in the ongoing 2021 Yorkshire Tennis Championships.