Lumsden sees positives in opening round defeat

MAIA LUMSDEN sees her appearance at Wimbledon qualifying as a bonus on her return from long Covid after an opening-round 6-3 6-2 defeat to Kathinka von Deichmann.

Having only returned to the tour earlier this year following a lengthy battle with the illness, the 24-year-old Glaswegian hailed her appearance as another important step on the road to recovery.

She said: “It was a tough one. I started quite well but I struggled on my serve, which let her back in a little bit. From there it was quite a frustrating one.

“It was obviously something I didn’t expect, to be here. It was last-minute that my protected ranking got me in so for sure it’s a bonus just to be here and playing in it. Even at the start of the year, I probably wouldn’t have thought that I’d have been able to play the grass court season or this event.”

One of the biggest challenges Lumsden has faced since returning from her 18-month absence is accepting that it will take time for her to fully adjust back into tour life. However, after a strong run of matches in recent weeks, she is optimistic about the opportunities available this summer.

Lumsden added: “It’s difficult for sure. I have to be patient with myself. I’m not going to be able to play the level I want to straight away so that’s definitely the most difficult thing, to accept it will take time until I can come back to where I was before.

“I’m going to do all of those events and hopefully it’ll be a time I can play, get a lot of matches under my belt and just work my way up the rankings.”

Meanwhile, Aidan McHugh is revelling in the pressure of Wimbledon after beating Chile’s Gonzalo Lama 6-2 6-4 in the opening round of qualifying at this year’s event.

“I love it,” said the Scot. “There’s obviously a bit of pressure that comes with it, because all of the Brits would love to do really well at these weeks and at these tournaments.

“I always really look forward to it, Wimbledon is my favourite tournament in the world. Any chance I get the chance to compete, every year when I’m fit and healthy, I really give everything I can and do my absolute best.”

The 21-year-old now faces 26th seed Andreas Seppi in the second round.