Welsh Teenager Mimi Xu Ready To Smile As Plum Raducanu Test Awaits On Wimbledon Debut

Welsh teenager Mimi Xu will make her senior Grand Slam debut in a plum tie with Emma Raducanu at Wimbledon.

Xu will take on the 2021 US Open winner in the opening round next week - with the grass-court tournament beginning on Monday.

The Swansea-born teenager was awarded a wildcard into the main draw to become the first Welsh player in the event's singles main draw in 20 years.

She now works with Nigel Sears - a former coach of Raducanu - and national coach Katie O'Brien.

Ahead of the tournament, Xu wrote on social media: "Thank you @LTA for every opportunity I've received to test myself, and learn every day.

"Also, I'm extremely grateful @Wimbledon for giving me the chance to play Wimbledon main draw and doubles with @EllaMcDonald_.

"Ready to embrace and smile through every moment over the next few weeks."

Xu started her tennis career at the age of three at Swansea Tennis and Squash Club and Swansea Tennis Centre.

She went on to attend the LTA National Academy in Loughborough and has reached a career-high of 318th in the world rankings following an impressive spell.

READ MORE: Mimi Xu To End Welsh Wimbledon Absence As She Earns Singles Wildcard

Xu reached the semi-finals of the 2024 US Open girls' singles and also finished as runner-up with Mika Stojsavljevic at the 2024 Wimbledon girls' doubles event.

The winner between Xu and Raducanu, 22, will take on either 2023 champion Marketa Vondrousova or 32nd seed McCartney Kessler, who won the Nottingham Open last week, in round two.

Having been beaten by teenager Maya Joint at the Eastbourne Open earlier this week, Raducanu raised concerns over her prospects heading into the Wimbledon tournament.

"Unfortunately I couldn’t get over the line today, but I can get some rest ahead of next week," she said after the second round loss.

"I feel quite tired. Just going through some stuff and I need to do my best to get my head in the game ahead of next week.
 
"Realistically, the turnaround is pretty soon  - it’s only four days away really that Wimbledon starts."

READ MORE: Mimi Xu Breaks Into Top 10 in World Junior ITF Tennis Rankings