Evan Hoyt Wins Wimbledon Shot . . . And Is Three Wins From Round One

Evan Hoyt has been given a wildcard into Wimbledon men’s singles qualifying for the first time.

The Welsh number one has been given entry to play in next week’s event at Roehampton from where he could make the All England Championships for the first time as a senior.

Hoyt has already expressed his ambition to make Wimbledon this summer on the back of his rising world ranking. After overcoming long-term injury issues, the Llanelli-born player – whose world ranking rose to 414 at the start of this summer – had set his sights on emulating his achievements as a junior.

On hearing he had been awarded entry into qualifying – from where he would need to win three matches to make the Wimbledon first round – Hoyt said: It’s massive – something I’ve always thought about during my tennis career.

“I got the opportunity during my junior days to play and did it three times.

“That was an exciting experience, but to potentially be able to reach the main draw of the men’s event is something I’ve always aspired to do.”

There are 12 places available for Wimbledon’s men’s draw through qualification at the Bank of England Club at Roehampton.

Most of the players involved are ranked higher than Hoyt – anywhere from just outside the top 100 to 260 in the world – so his task will not be easy.

But the 24-year-old right-hander has shown resurgent form over the last 12 months – in both singles and doubles – winning three singles titles and eight doubles tournaments across Europe, America and Australia on the ITF World Tennis Tour, as well as reaching a number of other finals.