Bristol-born tennis player Katie Swan qualifies for main Wimbledon draw

By Holly Beaumont, Co-Editor-in-Chief

Bristol’s Katie Swan has made history as the first British woman to come through the qualifying stages of Wimbledon since 2001.

On Friday, Swan defeated Australian Arina Rodionova, 6-0, 6-4, to qualify for the first round of Wimbledon.

Swan is now set to play the USA’s Madison Keys on Monday 28 June.

Katie grew up in Abbots Leigh and attended both the Downs School and Bristol Grammar School, before moving to Kansas in pursuit of tennis success in 2013.

Swan endured a difficult year in 2020. Following the halting of competitive tennis at the hands of the pandemic, Swan also suffered wrist and back injuries which meant she did not play competitively until January 2021.

She feared this would hinder her, however she has now made history with what she described as her, ‘biggest accomplishment in tennis’.

At 22, Swan has now become the 15th British tennis player in the main Wimbledon draw this year, joining the likes of Johanna Konta and Dan Evans.

Upon winning her final point, Swan crouched to the floor in elation and after said ‘I can't believe it right now. I'm so happy to be in the main draw.’

‘It's been a very tough year. It's so special to come through qualifying’, she added.

Other British tennis players and personalities have publicly shown their support for Katie, including Judy Murrary and world number 82, British player, Katie Boulter.

Interviewing Burra's Bristol Bear ownership

Katie Swan said she is aware of the history she has made but does not want to be distracted by its significance, joking, ‘No pressure’.

‘I have no idea what’s going to happen next week but for now I'm just going to enjoy this with my team’, she added.

Katie will have her first round match at midday on Monday.

Featured Image: AELTC/David Gray

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