FOURTEEN-YEAR-

OLD Bethany Wilson (pictured) says taking on some of the best young talents in the country at Wimbledon is an experience she will never forget.

Bethany, from Lydney, qualified for the finals of the prestigious Road To Wimbledon tournament by winning both the regional qualifier at her local club and the county qualifier at the Oxstalls Tennis Centre in Gloucester.

The Road To Wimbledon attracts thousands of entries each year.

It is run by the All England Club in collaboration with HSBC to promote grass-roots tennis across Great Britain.

Whitecross School pupil Bethany is ranked in the county top 10 and trains under Alec Davidson at the Oxstalls Tennis Centre in Gloucester. At Wimbledon she played on Championship Court 15.

She said: "It was the best experience ever.

"Some professionals never get to play at Wimbledon.

"The experience has already helped me with my confidence and allowed me to believe in myself even more.

"It shows how far I have come but also how much I need to improve, with the help of my coach Alec.

"I have also learnt that I need to enter tougher competitions so I can play better and improve my game.

"I thank everyone for the opportunity of a lifetime which I will never forget.

"I will try hard to get through again next year."

Her mother Sian added: "It was a very proud moment for us as a family and shows that all the commitment of parents and players in sport is worthwhile."