Sir Andy’s message to Hoyt after SW19 run

WELSH Wimbledon wonder Evan Hoyt has been congratulated by Sir Andy Murray for being the last Celt standing at SW19.

The 24-year-old from Llanelli, who was making his comeback from shoulder surgery, lost out in the mixed doubles quarterfinals.

All eyes had been on the new pairing of Sir Andy Murray and Serena Williams in the competition.

But when they were dumped out of the tournament on Wednesday, Evan and English partner Eden Silva, 23, kept British hopes alive.

Hoyt said: “I was in the ice bath and Andy came in and said ‘well done.’

“A lot of the guys keep an eye on the results, and his mother Judy Murray said ‘well done’ at the restaurant.

“I know her and Andy a little bit as Andy’s good at keeping tabs and knows who is who.

“I am hoping at some point I will get on court with him and get some advice.

“He’s very supportive of other British players.”

Before the quarter-final, Hoyt said: “I am really excited about it, it’s Wimbledon quartersfinals.

“We are grateful to go out there and play.

“We are the last British people in the tournament, I didn’t expect it.”

Returning to the court following a shoulder injury, he has followed in Sir Andy’s footsteps by choosing mixed doubles to kick-start his career.

“I came through some tough injuries and been out of the sport for a while. I always thought I would come back and do well,” he said.

“I have come back sooner than expected. It’s awesome.

“I always thought I would come back and do well.”

His plan is to play a series of tournaments in Canada in a drive to improve his ranking.

“My goal is to play the Australian Open and be 250 by the end of the year,” he said. “My priority is singles. I do not see why I can’t get to the top in singles and doubles and be in the top 50 in singles.”

Hoyt is grateful for the support of Welsh fans, and still remains a familiar face at Llanelli Tennis & Squash Club.

“I always played the odd match for Llanelli Tennis & Squash Club when I was coming back from shoulder injury,” he said.

“I have had a lot of a Welsh fan base and family making the trip up and down to watch me play. It’s been exciting.”