Tooting's Leah Gonzales-Edwards admitted lifting the HSBC Road to Wimbledon National Challenge Finals trophy was the icing on the cake after finally getting the chance to play at SW19.
The 11-year-old New Malden starlet, competing in the 14 and under age group has often dreamt about starring on the famous Wimbledon lawn courts.
And while not making the final of the singles, she did hit back strongly in the doubles alongside partner Cheri Darley progressing all the way through before winning the final 7-5, 6-4, 10-5 against Catrin Hughes and Varada Kamate.
“It feels amazing to have come here and won at Wimbledon. I love playing on grass and doubles is really fun too,” Gonzales-Edwards, who received her trophy from former British number one and HSBC tournament ambassador Tim Henman.
“I do get to play on grass sometimes if we are good in training, and I think that does give me a bit of an edge on this surface as I have more experience of it than most of the other people I’m playing against.
“I think I play better on grass as I can hit the ball harder and I feel like I can move a lot better as well.
“I met Cheri at another tournament, and when we saw we were both here this week we wanted to be doubles partners as we get on very well.
“I feel like a champion now, and it’s very special to be able to say I’ve won here.
"Seeing Tim Henman here this week has been really cool, as it’s not often you get to meet big tennis stars like him so I feel very lucky.”
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.
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