RAMSBURY tennis starlet Harriet Eyles admits watching this year’s Wimbledon is made all the more difficult after she fell just short of strutting her stuff at the world-famous venue.

As the likes of British number one Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams show what they can do at this year’s Wimbledon, Eyles had the chance to follow suit as she competed in the HSBC Road to Wimbledon South West Regional Qualifier at the East Glos Club in Cheltenham.

The 13-year-old was playing for a spot at August’s HSBC Road to Wimbledon 14 & Under Challenge at the All England Club but after beating Lily Scaplehorn in round one, lost to eventual winner Esther Adeshina in round two, going down 6-1, 6-1.

But despite falling short of a memorable outing at the famous SW19 courts this time around, Pinewood School pupil Eyles, who will attend Marlborough College from September, is adamant we haven’t seen the last of her.

“This is my first year as part of Road to Wimbledon but it is really fun, so I hope to do it next year,” explained Eyles, who trains at Ramsbury Tennis Club and Next Generation in Swindon.

“It’s probably my life’s goal to play at Wimbledon, so to get that far through would have been amazing.

“I think I played alright to beat Lily especially because I hadn’t played in a bit due to injury.

“I’ve been off for about a year and a half with tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow and fluid in my bone.

“I’m not quite back to full fitness yet because I’ve just had two weeks to rest it but it’s getting a bit better now.

“I knew it was going to be tough against Esther, who is the number one seed, so it was all about setting small goals in each set.”

Royal Wootton Bassett Academy pupil Alex Heaps also missed out on place at Wimbledon – the Lydiard Millicent 13-year-old went down 6-2, 6-3 to Joe Leather in the first round.

The HSBC Road to Wimbledon 14 & under Challenge began in 2002 and is the largest junior tournament in the UK, involving some 850 clubs, parks and schools with youngsters bidding to reach the national final at the All England Club.

And, although Eyles failed to advance to Wimbledon, former British number one Tim Henman believes she is still very much one to watch out for in the future.

“Players are always disappointed when they miss out on qualifying for the HSBC Road to Wimbledon National Final and a chance to play on the grass courts at Wimbledon,” said Henman.

“Hopefully Harriet will be spurred on to greater achievements in her junior career and who knows maybe even play at The Championships as a professional player in the future.”

The HSBC Road to Wimbledon National 14 & Under Challenge is the UK's largest national junior grass court tournament and forms part of HSBC’s investment in the stars of the future.