RYAN MIGHTY

Brit star endured chemo as a kid but now he’s living the dream

RYAN PENISTON was the king of Queen’s after stunning top seed Casper Ruud on his ATP Tour debut.

The 26-year-old admitted to living his dream as he beat the French Open runner-up in straight sets and was then handed a Wimbledon wild card. “It doesn’t feel real,” said the British No.7. “I didn’t get much sleep last night. I was anxious, my first ATP match, on home soil as well.

“It feels like a dream, I can’t really believe it. Four or five years ago I was sat here watching this tournament.”

Peniston, ranked 175 spots below world No.5 Ruud, was in the draw only because Andy Murray’s run to the final in Stuttgart last week opened up a place.

That is just the half of it as, to make it to this far in life, let alone to centre court here, Peniston survived rhabdomyosarcoma, a soft tissue cancer, as a baby.

“I went into into hospital when I was one and had chemotherapy, then surgery, then

I had some more chemotherapy,” he said. “It lasted about 18 months.

“It was a difficult start to my life and, while I don’t remember much, for my parents and brothers it must have been a pretty tough time. I just hope they’re proud, I hope I’ve made them proud.

“I’m sure it will be a little bit emotional for them and me as well when I see them later.”

The Essex left-hander’s 7-6 7-6 defeat of Ruud (left, congratulating his conqueror) earned him £27,000 which, added to the minimum £50,000 guaranteed by a Wimbledon wild card, made for a pretty good day’s work.

“As a teenager I was never one of the top guys, maybe in the top 20,” he added. “But you have to step on the court thinking you have a chance to win and that’s what I did.”

Peniston’s win earned a second-round tie against Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo and brought welcome cheer to home fans on a day that saw defeats for British No.2 Dan Evans and qualifier Paul Jubb.

The US Open has announced that it will allow Russian and Belarusian players to compete, albeit only under a neutral flag. The move contrasts with Wimbledon which has banned players from the two nations. The US Open begins on August 29.

I didn’t get much sleep and I was anxious. It feels like a dream