Kruger qualifies for the junior main draw at Wimbledon
South African junior tennis star Isabella Kruger produced a spellbinding performance in her first junior Grand Slam to make it to the main draw at Wimbledon.
The country’s leading women’s player beat American Theadora Rabman, 6-0, 6-2 in her second qualifying match in London to secure her spot in the main draw event.
Kruger took an aggressive approach from the start to which her American opponent, ranked number 101 in the ITF junior rankings had no answer.
The 17-year-old of Anthony Harris Tennis Academy thrashed world number 86 junior Madeleine Jessup from Taiwan 6-2, 6-1 to confirm her spot in the final qualifying round.
“I am super happy that I was able to qualify and now be in the main draw of my first junior grand slam,” said the Pretoria-born rising prodigy who currently resides in Cape Town.
“It’s so awesome being able to play on grass here which is a different surface but it’s a new experience for me . I am so happy that I made the main draw.
Kruger will face American Sonya Macavei in the first round. Macavei is ranked number 60 in the ITF junior world rankings.
“Being around the bigger players as a junior at Wimbledon is awesome. The experience at this professional level is super exciting and I look forward to competing in the main draw next week.
This marks the first time South Africa has a representative in the girls main draw event at Wimbledon in many years.
The main draw of the Junior Wimbledon Championships will be held from July 2 to 10 at the All England Lawn Tennis Club in London.
