Three British Teens Set New Milestone in Wimbledon History

British Teen Trio Make History at Wimbledon 2025 with Wildcard Entries in Women’s Singles Draw

For the first time in Wimbledon’s storied history, three British teenagers aged 17 and under will feature in the women’s singles main draw. Rising stars Mika Stojsavljevic, Hannah Klugman, and Mimi Xu have been granted wildcard entries into the 2025 tournament, marking a major milestone in British tennis.

The trio’s inclusion is the result of standout performances at junior and senior levels over the past year, and it reflects the Lawn Tennis Association’s (LTA) ongoing investment in the development of young talent.

A Promising Generation of British Talent

The three young athletes come with distinct playing styles and developmental paths but share a common goal: to leave their mark on the grass courts of SW19.

Mika Stojsavljevic – 16 – London

Born to a Serbian father and Polish mother, Stojsavljevic has emerged as one of Britain’s most promising tennis prospects. The 6ft-tall Londoner captured international attention last year by winning the US Open girls’ singles title, becoming only the third British girl to win a junior Grand Slam this century.

Her powerful serve and aggressive baseline game have drawn comparisons to her idol, Maria Sharapova. She followed her Grand Slam win by clinching the British national junior championship, defeating fellow wildcard Hannah Klugman in the final.

Stojsavljevic trains at the LTA’s National Academy in Loughborough, balancing full-time studies with a rigorous tennis schedule. Even while competing in WTA events like Queen’s and Nottingham, she continued preparing for her GCSE exams, often studying between matches.

Hannah Klugman – 16 – Wimbledon

A homegrown star, Klugman made headlines just last month when she became the first British girl in nearly 50 years to reach the French Open juniors final. Although she lost to Austria’s Lilli Tagger, her run in Paris solidified her status as a future star.

Klugman, who won the prestigious Orange Bowl junior championship in 2023, has chosen to remain in London rather than train at the national academy. Instead, she works with coach Ben Haran out of Reed’s School, which also produced pros like Jack Draper and Tim Henman.

Her consistent progress, combined with a composed on-court demeanor, makes her a serious prospect for a deep run in the professional ranks.

Mimi Xu – 17 – Wales

Welsh talent Mimi Xu is the most experienced of the trio at senior level and currently ranked just outside the world’s top 300. She has already defeated two top-100 players on grass this season, including a standout victory over world No. 52 Alycia Parks at the Birmingham Classic, where she reached the quarter-finals.

Xu opted out of the national academy last year and now works under the guidance of former British Fed Cup captain Nigel Sears and national coach Katie O’Brien. She was also invited to join the British Billie Jean King Cup team as a practice partner, further accelerating her growth.

Known for her intelligence both on and off the court, Xu has managed to balance her tennis career with academics, sitting A-Level biology exams in between matches at recent tournaments.

Are They Ready for Wimbledon?

Entering the Wimbledon main draw marks a significant career step for these three teenagers, and the decision to grant them wildcards followed detailed discussions between the LTA and the All England Club.

All three players will earn a minimum of £66,000 in prize money, which will go a long way in supporting their travel, coaching, and training costs.

Speaking to BBC Sport, Iain Bates, the LTA’s head of women’s tennis, expressed confidence in their readiness:

If you look at their profiles in isolation, you would say all of them are ready for the opportunity to play. I told them all—I hope and anticipate—they’ll have many more Wimbledons to come.

While Stojsavljevic and Xu have already tasted success on the ITF professional circuit, the WTA’s age eligibility rules have limited how often they can compete in higher-level events. Players under 16 face strict tournament caps, which gradually increase with age.

Bates emphasized that success at junior level is no guarantee of future stardom, but strong performances at this stage build essential experience and mental toughness.

The challenge for this group is working through the stages of the pro tour, getting the support needed to play up. This year’s Wimbledon is a critical part of that journey.

A Historic Moment for British Tennis

Only two British juniors—Laura Robson (Wimbledon, 2008) and Heather Watson (US Open, 2009)—have won girls’ Grand Slam singles titles this century. The emergence of Stojsavljevic, Klugman, and Xu suggests that a new generation is ready to build on that legacy.

With Wimbledon 2025 on the horizon, all eyes will be on Centre Court and the outside courts to see how these rising stars fare on one of the sport’s biggest stages. Whether they win or lose, their participation represents a significant step forward for British women’s tennis—and an inspiration for future young athletes dreaming of Wimbledon glory.

What’s Next?

As the main draw kicks off, fans can look forward to watching three of the UK’s most exciting teenage talents go toe-to-toe with the sport’s elite. While expectations are tempered with realism, one thing is certain: Stojsavljevic, Klugman, and Xu are names we’re likely to hear a lot more in the years to come.