STAVERTON tennis star Billy Hughes will not forget his outing at the All England Club in a hurry despite missing out on lifting the trophy at the Road to Wimbledon National 14 & Under Challenge Finals, writes TOM HARLE.

After triumphing at the previous Regional finals, the St. Laurence School pupil took to the famous grass courts last week looking to be crowned national champion.

And Hughes, 13, insists it has only fuelled his desire to come back to the iconic venue again to play one day.

“The atmosphere here is amazing and everyone here is competitive,” said Hughes, who trains at the University of Bath.

“The surface is different which forces you to change the way you play.

“I have been playing tennis for nine years. It’s amazing to be here.

“If I don’t make it as a professional, I would love to be a tennis coach.”

The Road to Wimbledon began in 2002 and expanded initially to India in 2014 – it has since added qualifying events in China, Hong Kong, India and Japan.

Juniors participate in England, Scotland and Wales, starting in their club, park or school, with players qualifying for the county finals and then to national finals, which were this year attended by former British number one Tim Henman.

The All England Club Wimbledon and the LTA are fully committed to giving opportunities for 14 & under juniors of all standards to compete Nationwide in theRoad to Wimbledon via firstly their club, park or school and to have the incentive to qualify to play in the National Finals on grass at Wimbledon.