Wimbledon getting ready for Shropshire based teenagers to compete
The Wimbledon grass tennis courts are being warmed up this month in preparation for two Shropshire teenagers to compete on the hallowed turf.
Doubles pairing 14-year-old Gwen Klu, from Telford, and 15-year-old Sofie Glinos from Hereford, will be heading to the iconic London venue to take part in the Nation Finals of the Under 18 doubles event next month.
Just after the professional competition concludes, the Ellesmere College students will go to Wimbledon as part of the nationwide ‘Play your way to Wimbledon’ competition run by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA).
The duo booked their place at the flagship location having won the the West Midlands Under 18 doubles event at the Shrewsbury Club.
Gwen said: “I'm really excited to go through to Wimbledon with Sofie.
“We played very well together and thrived in each other’s company.
“I feel that we have worked extremely hard in school together to achieve even more in our tennis matches and to help each other improve.
“I'm really grateful for this opportunity and what doors this may open for us in the future. Now we must continue to put in the hard work to ensure success.”
Sofie’s father David said: “After battling back from a broken arm and illness over the last 18 months her family are very proud of her for securing a second Wimbledon appearance in three years - we are very much looking forward to another trip to the hallowed turf this August.”
The competition sees entrants play a local club event with the winners going on to the County Finals and the winners of that playing in the National Finals on the grass courts at Wimbledon.
Gwen, who is the Shropshire Junior County Champion, and Sofie, who represents the Hereford County team, both joined Ellesmere College in Lower School and joined the Tennis Academy Elite Squad once they reached year nine.
Director of Tennis at the Ellesmere College Tennis Academy Stephen Welti said: “The girls teams have been enjoying great success at National level over the last couple of years.
“It’s good to know that this trend will continue over the coming years with talented players such as Gwen and Sofie leading the way.
“They have developed a good understanding as a doubles pair playing in several tournaments together this year.”
