James Spencer reporting from Queens
If yesterday’s victory over French Open finalist Casper Rudd wasn’t a big enough achievement for Ryan Peniston, a first Wimbledon appearance could be just as big.
The news being confirmed yesterday by the All England Club that the Southend local would be one of the selected few to receive a wildcard for the year’s third Grand Slam.
In yesterday’s press conference, the Brit revealed that it wasn’t in fact too much of a surprise.
“I was told there was a really good chance, but it wasn’t 100 per cent certain,” he said.
“As I came off court it was confirmed and it just feels amazing because I have this little list of goals and top of my list was to play main draw Wimbledon.
“So, to find out was pretty emotional.”
Ryan also revealed how far he has come after a battle with cancer as a child.
“I don’t remember tonnes of it which I guess is a good thing but when I was a one-year-old I was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma,” he said.
Ryan went to hospital to receive several rounds of chemotherapy.
“It was definitely a difficult start to my life. I don’t remember much but from my parents and my brothers I think it must have been a pretty tough time.”
“But I had the amazing doctors and nurses that helped me through it with my family. So, a huge, huge thanks to them. Standing here today feels pretty good.”
I managed to get my question into Ryan of how he prepared tactically to beat the world number five and whether the victory had altered his expectations.
“Casper’s an amazing player. Anyone who’s top five in the world is playing at a very high level,” he said.
“My coach and I went through it tactically, just like we would do with any other match. We watched match analysis and discussed ways of winning.”
“There’s always that voice in your head telling you he’s no.5 in the world, and he’s done some great things, but I just tried to treat it like any other match.”
