Getting closer
Bicknell form puts him in line for Wimbledon bow
JAMAICAN TENNIS star Blaise Bicknell continues inching closer to becoming only the nation’s third qualifier for the prestigious Wimbledon tennis tournament.
On Monday, Bicknell defeated Kosuke Ogura of Japan 6-3, 6-3 in his opening round of the Jamaica ITF M15 Challenge Championships at the Eric Bell Tennis Centre.
The 22-year-old, who is now ranked 309 in the world, needs to reduce his ranking to 250
nd or lower in order to qualify for Wimbledon and other major international tournaments.
If he claims victory at M15 Challenge this week and again at the ATP 75 Challenger in Little Rock, Arkansas from May 28-June 2, Bicknell said that it could be enough to book him a spot at Wimbledon.
“I am ranked 309 in the world right now and I have to get to 250 so I can get into Wimbledon and the US Open and other big tournaments.
“If I can win in Arkansas the week after, I will definitely get into Wimbledon
So I am looking forward to that. As it would be great for Jamaica and Jamaican tennis,” he said.
The first Jamaican player to participate at Wimbledon was Richard Russell in 1970.
He was followed by German-born Jamaican Dustin Brown, four decades on, in 2010.
If Bicknell, who has been having a good year so far, can continue his winning streak, after victory at the Bounty Invitational Tournament in Ocho Rios on Sunday, he will be on track to accomplishing his dreams and he is in a confident mood.
“There will be a lot of international players (M15 Challenge Jamaica). I am seeded number one. Expectations are high but I am confident I can do well.
“I expect a lot of great competition. There are players here from all over the world, India, New Zealand, everywhere. So it will be tough, but I look forward to it,” he said.
“I won the tournament in Ochi (Ocho Rios) this past weekend and I am feeling much better and ready for it, and I always love playing at home, so it should be good.”
He added that his focus is always to improve and get better.
“It has been a good year. Some very high highs and some lows. But I just have to just keep improving my game and just be confident,” he added.
Blaise will face Adhithya Ganesan of the United States in the second round of the M15 Challenge on Monday.
The other Jamaicans participating at the event include John Azar and John Chin. While, Andrew Fenty, Miles and Alex Jones all hold Jamaican passports.