Wimbledon heartache for Freya

The Hucknall youngster will again be taking part in the junior section this year.

She had been attempting to get into the senior competition, which starts on June 23rd.

Freya had won a wild card into the women’s qualifier competition.

But the 16-year-old came up against Russian Alla Kudryavtseva and lost in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2, to the 17th seed at Roehampton.

Freya yesterday told the Dispatch: “I thought I played quite well.

“It was obvious she was a good player. You don’t get to be in or around the 150 best player mark for no reason.

“But I will learn a lot from the match.

“I played in the junior section of Wimbledon last year and hopefully this year will win some matches.”

During the 2008 Wimbledon championship, Moscow-based Kudryavtseva shocked the tennis world when she beat fellow Russian and the then 3rd seed Maria Sharapova.

Home-schooled Freya, of Beardall Street, has now completed her IGCSEs and is currently training hard ready for Wimbledon.

Her mum, Carol Bloomer, said: “She has done very well and we are waiting now to see who she comes up against in the draw.

“She was happy with how she played and will take a lot from her game and the experience.”

On Twitter, freelance tennis journalist Chris Goldsmith (@TheTennisTalker), wrote: “ Great effort from @Freya_Christie 4-6 2-6 loss to the hugely experienced Alla Kudryatseva.

“Plenty more years for the talented Brit.”

Also commenting on Twitter, Ian DW (@sportdw), author of DW on Sport blog and contributor to IBWM & SteveG Tennis, wrote: “Played well against an experienced opponent.”

Marion Bartoli won the women’s title last year, when she secured a 6-1, 6-4 victory over Sabine Lisicki.

Photo of Freya in action, courtesy of Ian Dorward.