Connor’s set for another title tilt
Tennis ace targets next Wimbledon
“I’m just a kid from Paisley. To go from there to playing at Wimbledon was just a dream come true.”
Teenage tennis star Connor Thomson has already turned out twice on the hallowed grass at SW19.
The 19-year-old prospect played in the junior singles in 2018 before enjoying a stunning run to the quarter- finals of the junior doubles last year.
Despite this year’s event being cancelled due to the Covid- 19 outbreak, the former Gryffe High School pupil is determined to make it a hat trick of appearances when the grand slam event returns next year.
“Playing at Wimbledon was one of the best experiences of my life,” he told Express Sport.
“I’ve played there twice as a junior in the last two years in the singles and doubles. It’s just an incredible place. “You’re around the best players in the world. To go from
training at Stirling Uni versity to sharing practice courts there with Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer is just the stuff of dreams.
“You get to be around them and pick up ideas from their training sessions and watching them up close.
“I’m definitely desperate to get there again, especially after making the quarters last year. We had an amazing run and my parents and brother were there which was great for them too as they’ve been there for me since day one.
“When I was there I couldn’t help but think that I’m just a kid from Paisley. To go from there to playing at Wimbledon is just a dream come true.”
Connor is now based Stateside and is currently preparing to head into the second year of a tennis scholarship at the prestigious University of South Carolina.
Despite his first year there being cut short, he has been handed a massive boost after being included in Tennis Scotland’s new national player programme.
That will see him handed vital funding, coaching and physio support as he looks to follow in the footsteps of his idols Andy and Jamie Murray.
Connor said: “Being in America has been awesome so far. The level of players is incredible but I still had a really good first season, winning 26 out of 30 matches.
“I was actually preparing for a big game before the season was cancelled. It’s been brutal not being able to play but I’m back in training at least now in Stirling before heading back to South Carolina soon.
“Being named part of Tennis Scotland’s new programme is brilliant for me and the other guys. It’s going to make everything a lot easier as to get to the top you need good support systems.
“The funding will go towards travelling to tournaments all over the world and also help me take a coach to competitions as well. That will be massive as I aim to head up the world rankings next summer.
“I’ve met the Murray brothers at Stirling University and I actually know Jamie really well. He took a few players out to train in Spain for a week and we learned so much from him.
“He got us into his private box at Queens Club as well which was pretty sweet.
“He’s one of the best doubles players ever, so to pick his brain was unbelievable. They’re as invested in building Scottish tennis as we all are which is big boost for us.”