ODIHAM tennis starlet Ryan Golesworthy 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 next month’s Wimbledon assault, Golesworthy can rest safe in the knowledge that he also has a spot booked at the world-famous venue.

The 14-year-old Robert May’s School 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.

Golesworthy, who trains at the David Lloyd Southampton, will now play in the National Finals of the HSBC Road to Wimbledon 14 and under challenge at the All England Club between August 8 and 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 Golesworthy admits he can’t wait to grace the hallowed turf himself after beating Oliver Fernandez 7-6 6-2 in his final qualifying match.

“It was a tricky game, but I played fairly well. I always expect a tricky match, that is the right mentality to have,” he said.

“My opponent was a good player, he had a big serve and that was a bit of a challenge on the grass courts.

“It means a phenomenal amount to play at Wimbledon, it is a brilliant place. I have been before, but only to watch.

“I can’t believe I am going there. The day has been brilliant. It is a nice centre and really well run.

“I want to go as far as I can in tennis, whether that be professional, get a scholarship to an American university – just keep enjoying it.”

The HSBC Road to Wimbledon National 14 and 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.

And HSBC ambassador and former Scottish international tennis player Judy Murray admitted she had been impressed with the crop of 2016.

“The HSBC Road to Wimbledon is a wonderful grassroots programme which more than 10,000 youngsters take part in each year and culminates in the chance to play at Wimbledon, which is every young tennis players’ dream and inspires them every year,” Murray said.

“This programme is a very big part of the British tennis calendar and youngsters recognise the HSBC Road to Wimbledon as a tournament that offers a prize to play at Wimbledon. This prize is a real incentive to enter and do their very best to make it to the final stage.

“Going along and receiving coaching on how to hit the ball properly is one thing but competitive opportunities at a young age need to be fun and stimulating because you want them to enjoy the sport and keep coming back. In my opinion it doesn’t get more stimulating than the ultimate prize of being able to play at Wimbledon.

“Wimbledon is one of those places that is on most people’s bucket list or it is their dream to go there but for most people they are only able to see it on the television so the HSBC Road to Wimbledon is creating a wonderful opportunity for kids across the country.”

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.