CLOSE up brushes with tennis stars Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and last year’s French Open women’s finalist Sara Errani have fuelled the imagination and excitement of Wimbledon-bound Northampton girl Alex Lewis.
The 12-year-old Abbeyfield School pupil recently won the county heat of the 14U Road To Wimbledon competition which will see her play on the outside courts at SW19 in August.
A trip to the opening day of Wimbledon on Monday at one point brought her virtually face to face with Nadal as he headed for the practice courts before his premature exit at the hands of Belgian Steve Darcis, while Italian player Errani was spotted making a quick getaway in the car-park in her Ferrari.
“Just to think I will get the chance to play at Wimbledon is amazing,” said Lewis, back on home territory at Dallington 24 hours later.
Lewis and Great Oakley-based Joe Tyler, who emerged from the boys’ competition, are the certain county qualifiers, Lewis defeating club mate Imogen Allen 6-1, 6-1, a score repeated by Tyler against Dallington’s Sam Smith.