Sutton tennis starlet Eloïse Saraty says watching this year’s Wimbledon Championship is made all the more difficult after she fell just short of strutting her stuff at the world famous venue.

The 14-year-old had the chance to follow in the footsteps of the cream of the tennis crop when she competed in the HSBC Road to Wimbledon south-east regional qualifier at West Worthing Tennis and Squash Club.

She was playing for a spot at August’s HSBC Road to Wimbledon 14 & Under Challenge at the All England Club, but lost in the final to Emma Raducanu (6-1 6-4).

However, despite falling short of a memorable outing at the famous SW19 courts this time around, Sutton Tennis Academy member Saraty is adamant we have not seen the last of her.

“I think I played alright. My serve went in but I just came up against a better opponent,” said the Cheam High School pupil.

“I was making quite a few mistakes with my ground stokes so I need to improve on that and put more spin on the ball.

“This was my first year of doing the Road to Wimbledon, so hopefully I can come back next year and go one step further. It would be great to play at Wimbledon.”

Saraty was not the only player from the area in action over the weekend, with fellow Sutton Tennis Academy member David Middleton going in the boys’ competition.

However, the 12-year-old Wilson’s School pupil fell in the second round, losing 6-3, 6-0 to eventual runner up Giacomo Revelli.

“It was always going to be tough against my opponent. First set I felt that I was hanging in but then he started to break away,” said Middleton, who lives in Carshalton.

“My approach play was good though. It’s been a great experience playing on the grass. To go all the way and one day play at Wimbledon would be amazing.”

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.