Lexus Wrexham Open champion Mimi Xu wants to keep developing her game after latest Wimbledon experience

Pictured: Mimi Xu, the Lexus Wrexham Open champion, playing at this year's Wimbledon. Picture: Getty Images for the LTA.

Mimi Xu, our reigning Lexus Wrexham Open champion, wants to keep developing her game after playing in Wimbledon's main draw for the second time. The rising Welsh star - currently tenth in the British women's rankings - featured in both the singles and doubles at SW19.

Xu impressed local tennis fans with her performances on her way to winning both the singles and doubles titles at the Wrexham Tennis & Padel Centre last October. Having received a wild card to the Wimbledon main draw, the 18-year-old was handed a tough first round match against Daria Kasatkina, the former world No. 8. Xu took a set off her more experienced Australian opponent before eventually losing 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 to the former Wimbledon quarter-finalist.

Xu also played in the doubles, partnering Alicia Dudeney, with the Brits bowing out 6-3, 6-4 in round one against 2023 French Open doubles champions Hsieh Su-wei and Wang Xinyu.

Looking to the future, Xu said: "I hope for the rest of the year my goal is to just to keep on developing my game and making sure it's stable in those key moments, those tight moments, that I'm able to really trust my game, and then just getting matches back under the belt and just keep it rolling.

"I think if I do those things results will come, whether that be playing some lower level tournaments to get my confidence and match tolerance up, or whether that be translating into getting into Grand Slam qualifiers, I think it will all come naturally as long as I'm doing the right things.”

Dave Courteen, the Lexus Wrexham Open promoter, said he's looking forward to potentially welcoming Xu back to the city later this year as preparations continue for the ITF World Tennis Tour event, which will take place between October 18-25.

He said: "Mimi can be very proud of the way she played at Wimbledon after being handed such a tough first round draw. Mimi continues to represent Welsh tennis so well and we hope to see her back playing in Wrexham in October as defending champion. “Mimi received such fantastic support when she played here last year and it will be the same again if she returns. She's an exciting talent with a bright future.

“It was also pleasing to see Mika Stojsavljevic, who lost to Mimi in last year's singles final in Wrexham, playing in the main draw at Wimbledon. Mika also played some good tennis in her match against Belinda Bencic, the 11th seed and former Olympic gold medallist, which was another really difficult draw.”

Tickets for October's event, which include a 44-page tournament programme, start from £8 for adults and £4 for under-16s, and they are they now available to buy, with Dave adding it's an exciting opportunity for tennis fans to watch potential future stars of the women's game.

He said: "The precursor to the Lexus Wrexham Open ahead of its move to North Wales for the first time last year was the W100 Shrewsbury.

“More than 30 players that featured in this year's Wimbledon main draw have previously played at either Wrexham or Shrewsbury, including one of the finalists, Karolina Muchova, who played in this event when it was held in Shrewsbury four years ago.

“It's another reminder of the quality of players this event attracts, which makes it so exciting as you may well be watching a future Grand Slam champion when the tournament returns to Wrexham in October.”