CHIPPENHAM tennis starlet Yusuke Tamaki admits he is pinching himself in amazement as he prepares to follow in Andy Murray’s footsteps and star at Wimbledon.

As the likes of British number one Murray, Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams gear up for this month’s Wimbledon assault, Tamaki can rest safe in the knowledge that he also has a spot booked at the world-famous venue.

The 14-year-old Prior Park College pupil has long been known as one to watch for the future, and he was at it again on Sunday as he claimed victory at the HSBC Road to Wimbledon South West Regional Qualifier at East Glos Club in Cheltenham.

Tamaki, who trains at the University of Bath Tennis Club, will now play in the National Finals of the HSBC Road to Wimbledon 14 & Under Challenge at the All England Club between August 8-13, where he will be looking to walk away as overall champion of the tournament.

Murray made history at Wimbledon back in 2013 when he became the first British winner of the Grand Slam in 77 years, and Tamaki admits he can’t wait to grace the hallowed turf himself after beating Henry Muxworthy 7-6 7-6 in his final qualifying match.

“Overall it has been a terrific day, I can’t believe that I have won. Today has been a brilliant experience,” he said.

“In the beginning I just stuck in the rallies and kept hitting back, made him miss and made him run, and then in the second set he was sort of tired, so I got a few more points.

“I was working on my serves and second serves, I tried a couple of different variations and only some of them worked out, so I still have to work on them.

“I have never been to Wimbledon, I have never even been to the stadium, so it means an awful lot to have I won this.

“I want to turn professional, that is what I am aiming for. I am trying to be within the top ten in under-14 and winning this tournament has helped me to do that.”

The HSBC Road to Wimbledon National 14 & Under Challenge, the UK’s largest grass court tournament, forms part of HSBC’s investment in grassroots tennis; an area of the sport the Official Banking Partner of The Championships has been supporting since 2008.

Each year over 10,000 youngsters take part in the series of national tennis tournaments, helping to inspire the next generation of Wimbledon stars to take their tennis careers from the back garden to Centre Court.

HSBC is the Official Banking Partner of The Championships and is committed to supporting grassroots tennis, helping to inspire the next generation of Wimbledon stars to take their tennis careers from the back garden to Centre Court through the HSBC Road to Wimbledon 14 & Under Challenge. @HSBC_sport