You would struggle to find many people who have loved playing at Wimbledon this year as much as Felix Gill.
Redditch’s Gill, who is a member of the LTA’s Men’s & Women’s Programme, through which the governing body provides a range of support to players with potential to progress towards competing in Grand Slams and representing Great Britain in Davis or Billie Jean King Cup, received a wildcard into the qualifying event for the men’s singles and a main draw doubles wildcard alongside Arthur Fery.
And that doubles wildcard paid off, with the 20-year-old and his partner beating Ariel Behar and Gonzalo Escobar 7-5 7-6 (8) 7-6 (3) to reach the second round.
It was a first-ever win in a senior event at the All England for Gill, a moment that was close to perfection for him.
He said: “That win was ecstatic, it was unbelievable. We both kept edging, kept sending messages. We got over the line and played well the whole match. We really enjoyed getting a win with our friends and family there. It was almost perfect.
“On match point I served an ace, and then Arthur turned round and looked at me. The smile on his face, I’ll never forget it.
“We had a hug, and thanked each other, and then thanked everyone else. It was amazing!
”Things did not get easier for the British duo in the second round, where they faced 11th seeds and two-time Roland Garros champions Kevin Krawietz and Andreas Mies.Despite being beaten 7-6 (5) 6-3 6-4 by the German duo, there were plenty of positives for Gill as he looks to play on tour more regularly.
Gill added: “The other pair are Grand Slam champions, me and Arthur are new to the scene. We really enjoyed it, we didn’t think we were too far off in the end.
“We really enjoyed ourselves and we just wanted to stay out there as long as we could, enjoy the moment and take the experience in.
“It’s really encouraging for the both of us. As professionals just trying to make our way up, trying to get an understanding of doubles and singles, and becoming better professionals, it’s really good to see it with these guys as proper pros.
“It gives us something to look up to and we both want to get better at singles and doubles, so it was really good.
“Singles qualies, I’ve been really looked after with that, and then lucky enough to get a doubles wildcard into the main draw which we were so pleased and happy about.
“We did our best, I did my best. It’s been amazing, a dream. It’s a dream to play at Wimbledon – and we got a win.”
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