Croydon tennis sensation Allesandra Ruggieri is in pain right now, but it is all her own doing.

That is because the 14-year-old has pinched herself in amazement knowing she is following in the footsteps of Andy Murray and Serena Williams.

Ruggieri is set to play in the HSBC Road to Wimbledon 14 & Under Challenge at the All England Club from August 10.

She won her place last week by coming through a south east regional qualifier at the National Tennis Centre in Roehampton.

Murray made history at Wimbledon in 2013 when he became the first British winner of the Grand Slam in 77 years, and Ruggieri cannot wait to grace the hallowed turf.

She said: “I can’t believe I have the chance to go and play at Wimbledon it’s going to be amazing and I’m so excited.

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“I never really thought I would get the chance to go and play there and it’s a dream come true to know that I’m going.

“I love playing on grass so hopefully that will help me and be an advantage when I am there.”

And former British number one Tim Henman is urging Ruggieri to make the most of her Wimbledon adventure.

“Congratulations to Allesandra on winning the HSBC Road to Wimbledon regional final, she now has a brilliant opportunity to play at Wimbledon in the national finals,” he said.

“Hopefully this will help inspire Allesandra in her junior career and may even lead to her eventually playing at the Championships as a professional player.”

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.