Home hero Ryan living the dream
ALL of a sudden, every step on this remarkable ride means rather more. For ryan Peniston, for his future housemate and for all those being swept along with him.
To think this 26-year- old from Essex had toiled for so long without anyone taking much notice. Now, after his fantastic run on the grass continued with a 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 win over Henri Laaksonen, this wildcard stands tall: a Wimbledon matchwinner, an inspirational cancer survivor, a lesson in perseverance.
His prize? A place in the second round. But the British No 6 wants more. more wins and possibly a place near Wimbledon. Peniston is eyeing a house-share with fellow Brit Alastair gray — the world No 288, who also reached round two in straight sets, beating Taiwan’s Tseng chun-hsin.
‘We’re great friends. if we could find a place around this area to stay, it would be awesome,’ said Peniston (right).
Every victory helps, especially after gray’s cryptocurrency portfolio crashed. yesterday alone added £56,000 to their budget. Alas, given prices near here, one of them might need to win the whole thing. ‘something around this area would probably be a bit of a box,’ gray joked.
‘Hopefully win a couple matches, then maybe we’ll be able to get something a little bit bigger.’
These really are special days. ‘it’s hard to explain how it feels,’ said Peniston, who battled a rare cancer as an infant. ‘it’s been such a journey. i think about past times and where i’ve got to now.’
scars remain, of course. ‘it was such a terrible thing to go through, especially for my family, my close friends,’ Peniston said. ‘Now it gives me so much strength.’
And not just him. ‘i’ve had really nice messages from foundations and people — families who have gone through similar stuff. it’s really special,’ he said. Peniston required surgery and chemotherapy, and the treatment stunted his growth. ‘i was about a foot smaller than my peers,’ he said. ‘They all were growing and getting bigger serves…i was struggling trying to run around and get the ball.’
Perhaps it is no coincidence that Peniston’s movement and doggedness helped repel the powerful Laaksonen. ‘it definitely made me tougher as a player and a person,’ he said. ‘it was a blessing in disguise.’
How he is reaping the rewards. yesterday, an expectant crowd on court 12 swelled as Peniston’s star rose. No matter that this was his grand slam singles debut. or that Peniston had never played a five- set match. or that Laaksonen is ranked 39 places higher than the lefthander. ‘For the first main-draw match at Wimbledon, it couldn’t have gone any better,’ said Peniston, whose family were in attendance.
After fine runs at Nottingham, Queen’s and Eastbourne, this topped the lot. ‘i was chatting with my coach mark Taylor yesterday, saying, “i’m waiting for someone to pinch me and i’ll wake up back in may”,’ he added.
instead, the dream goes on. The retirement of grigor Dimitrov means American steve Johnson awaits in round two. Johnson is 32 and ranked No 93 — who would bet against Peniston?
He added: ‘ When i was a teenager, you’d always have people say, “you play tennis. i’ll see you at Wimbledon one day”.
‘i’d always say, “yeah, hopefully”. Now to just say it’s happened is unbelievable.’