Mimi Xu will be bidding to top last year’s Wimbledon debut after being awarded a main draw wild card at The Championships for a second year in a row.
The 17-year-old from Swansea met fellow Brit Emma Raducanu in the first round of the prestigious tournament last year and will hope to go even deeper after losing out to her compatriot in 2025.
Raducanu sealed a 6-3 6-3 win over Xu on the teenager’s maiden Grand Slam appearance, but it will all be experience she will take into her second chance at SW19.
And despite some recent injury struggles, Head of Women’s Tennis at the LTA Iain Bates believes she offers plenty of potential to become one of the foremost British talents.
“She’s a young player that's shown so much promise,” he said. “She reached the Australian Open qualifying event in January on her own ranking, having won one of our biggest domestic events in Wrexham at the back end of last year.
“Mimi’s had some injury challenges this year, but she’s a young player with a very encouraging game. We believe she has the level to keep progressing towards the next stage of the pro tour and I’m really excited to see her play at Wimbledon again.”
Last year, Xu triumphed in both the singles and doubles competition of the Wrexham Open in her native Wales, going on to be crowned Tennis Wales’ Player of the Year in February.
She is one of six British women who contribute to the seven women’s singles main draw wildcard entries handed out so far with Harriet Dart, Alicia Dudeney, Mika Stojsavljevic, Katie Swan and Hannah Klugman all also awarded a place.
They will join Emma Raducanu, Katie Boulter and Francesca Jones among the home interest who have all already secured direct qualification to the main singles draw.
And it is in competing against names like those where British wildcard entries will benefit the most as they look to build experience and make their own history at the prestigious tournament.
“Having the opportunity to play at Wimbledon at home in a Grand Slam is a huge opportunity for British players,” added Bates. “It's a real opportunity to experience playing against very high-level players, as well as the chance to get some big career wins and get some progression with your ranking, which ultimately is the most important thing for players who receive a wildcard.
“That chance to get some big wins under your belt and get some momentum with your ranking trajectory is hugely important, especially for young players.”
For the latest updates on the British summer grass court season, visit the LTA website, lta.org.uk.
