Mimi's Lexus Junior National Championships joy
• 3 MINUTE READ
Mimi Xu was happy with a successful week at the Lexus Junior National Championships, and the level of tennis she is playing.
Mimi, who began playing tennis at Swansea Tennis and Squash club, was crowned girls’ under-18s singles and doubles champion at the National Tennis Centre in Roehampton.
The singles final saw second seed Mimi face top seed Hannah Klugman, who she beat in the under-16s final in 2022 - the year in which she also won her first under-18s singles title at the Championships. A three-hour marathon saw Mimi fight back from a set down in a tight contest 6-7, 7-6, 6-4. The victory means that Mimi will now be handed a Wimbledon qualification wildcard.
Mimi and partner Mika Stojsavljevic, seeded 1, took the doubles title following an epic match against fourth seeds Ruby Cooling and Gabia Paskauskas. Mimi and Mika lost the first set 5-7, but bounced back to take the second set 6-1, before wrapping up the contest with a 10-4 tie break win.
Reflecting on a great week, Swansea RPDC product Mimi said: “I’m really pleased with my week at the nationals. Alongside competing well, I feel like I’m playing some really good tennis at the moment. I’m looking forward to keeping my level up and continuing to improve and am really excited for the grass season now.”
Tennis Wales Head of Performance Chris Lewis said: “Da iawn Mimi. To win the singles and doubles title is a massive achievement. It is amazing how things can change in 12 months in sport. This time last year Mimi was recovering from injury. Since then she has gone on to impress in Junior Grand Slams, and now enjoy this great success in the Lexus Junior National Championships.”
