Aimee's Wimbledon dream to come true

Aimee, aged 14, from Wem, won the Shropshire county round of the HSBC Road to Wimbledon tournament.

She will now play in the tournament finals in August and will have the chance to be coached by former British No 1 Tim Henman.

Aimee said: "I'm really excited. I've watched Wimbledon on the TV for so long and have visited once, I can't believe I'll actually be playing there.

"I have also watched Tim Henman play and also commentate so to meet him will be amazing.

"Even professional players dream of playing at Wimbledon so I feel honoured that I have got this opportunity.

"My coach always tells me to play each point, not to worry about what's gone before or about what might happen next and that is what I will do.

"I will try my best in every match I play and will be pleased at the end of each match if I feel I have played well."

Aimee got into the sport nine years ago and plays her tennis at Shrewsbury Tennis Club, where she won the first stage of the Road to Wimbledon tournament.

She will join 32 other county winners on Wimbledon's grass courts and have the opportunity to meet and be coached by Henman, when the tournament gets under way on August 9.

Mother Nicki told of hiw Thomas Adams School pupil Aimee is an all-round sports fanatic.

She said: "She plays rounders for England and is a county 100m and 200m champion in athletics. We're really proud proud of her."

Aimee added her favourite players were former world No.1s Rafa Nadal and Maria Sharapova.

She said: "I love Rafa, because he is so determined and never gives up. I think Maria Sharapova is a brilliant role model.

"She's cool and calm and I also like the fact she isn't perfect and has bad days, like the rest of us!"

Earlier this year, Aimee was picked to play for Shropshire in the Aegon Under-18s County Cup.