Tennis / Katie Swan

Katie Swan first British woman in 20 years to come through Wimbledon qualifying

By Martin Booth  Friday Jun 25, 2021

Bristol tennis player Katie Swan has become the first British woman for two decades to qualify for the Wimbledon main draw.

The 22-year-old, currently ranked 390th in the world, beat Australia’s Arina Rodionova 6-0 6-4 to set up a first-round match against American Madison Keys on Monday.

“I can’t tell you how happy I am to come through,” Swan said after her final qualifying match at The Bank of England Sports Centre in Roehampton.

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“I haven’t played as much as I would have liked in the last year or so and it’s been a tough year for me so it’s just so special to come through qualifying…

“The occasion made me feel very nervous but it was the tennis that was relaxing me. I felt confident and even though it was tight at the end I just kept telling myself to trust myself, and that’s how I was able to come through in the end.”

Katie Swan has previously received a wildcard into the Wimbledon main draw but had to go through qualifying this year – photo: AELTC/David Gray

“I think this is my biggest accomplishment in tennis,” said Swan after her victory – photo: AELTC/David Gray

Swan is one of 12 young players supported by the LTA’s Pro Scholarship Programme, which provides support to players aged 16 to 24 with the best chance of reaching the ATP or WTA top-100 in five years.

Now based in the USA, Swan has competed in all the grand slams and reached a career high ranking of 163.

Swan grew up in Abbots Leigh and went to The Downs School and Bristol Grammar School before her family moved to Wichita in Kansas.

Swan celebrates after defeating Arina Rodionova at The Bank of England Sports Centre in Roehampton – photo: AELTC/David Gray

The 22-year-old can barely believe she has made history on Court 11 photo: AELTC/David Gray

Swan is the only Briton to come through the three rounds of qualifying this week and her success means there are 15 home players in the main draw at Wimbledon – photo: AELTC/David Gray

Main photo: AELTC/David Gray

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