Mimi Xu Has a Memorable Wimbledon in 2025
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Mimi Xu was the standout performer in a hugely positive Wimbledon for Welsh tennis. Three Welsh players featured in either the qualifying or main draw at this year’s Championships, with all hitting major career milestones. Mimi Xu, Felix Bockelmann-Evans, and James Story represented Wales with pride on one of tennis’s biggest stages. Here’s how they got on.
Mimi Xu
Due to some fantastic results on grass so far this year, Mimi was awarded a wildcard into the Wimbledon main draw, becoming the first Welsh player in 20 years to appear in the singles main draw.
Her first-round match was very high-profile, she faced British No.1 and former US Open champion Emma Raducanu on Court One. Despite the tough challenge, Mimi showed real quality and composure, holding her own in front of a huge audience both courtside and on TV. While she didn’t win the match, she captured the attention of the wider tennis fan base.
While on Court One, Mimi invited several of her Welsh coaches to sit in her player’s box. Speaking to the BBC, she said:
“I had my coaches from Wales… my first coach when I was four, my coaches until I went to Loughborough. Without any of them, I don’t think I’d be here today.”
In women’s doubles, Mimi partnered with British player Ella McDonald. The pair won their opening match and reached the second round before falling to the 16th seeds.
Still only 17, Mimi then turned her attention to the Junior Girls’ Singles. Though unseeded due to focusing more on the pro circuit than juniors, Mimi had a fantastic run. A hard-fought win over American Thea Frodin in round one was followed by dominant victories over 12th seed Alena Kovackova and Tahlia Kokkinis in the last 16. It marked the first time Mimi had reached the quarter-finals of the girls’ singles at Wimbledon.
There, she faced 3rd seed and reigning Junior French Open Champion Lilli Tagger. Mimi played brilliantly, winning 7-6, 6-1 to become the last British player remaining in the junior singles draws.
In the semi-finals, she took on American Julieta Pareja, a 16-year-old already ranked No. 340 in the WTA rankings. In scorching conditions, Mimi battled hard but was edged out in a three-set thriller: 6-2, 6-7, 6-4.
Mimi’s Wimbledon is widely being hailed as her breakthrough tournament, proving she is a name to watch for the future.
Felix Bockelmann-Evans
Felix Bockelmann-Evans made his Wimbledon debut in the Junior Boys’ Doubles after winning the Lexus Junior National Championships with partner Ferran Redza. The duo defeated the top three seeds to claim the national title. Felix, 18, from Penarth, is part of the Tennis Wales National Training Programme delivered in partnership with Cardiff Met University.
At Wimbledon, they faced a strong American team seeded 7th and former French Open finalists. After dropping the first set, Felix and Ferran fought back but narrowly lost in a second-set tiebreak.
Felix posted afterwards:
“A goal I’ve had since I was 8 years old was achieved today, my Wimbledon debut. I’ve learnt so much from this and can’t wait to see what the future holds.”
He thanked his teammate, Tennis Wales, Cardiff Met, the LTA, and Penarth Windsor LTC.
James Story
James Story reached Wimbledon Qualifying for the first time, earning his place through the LTA Wimbledon Qualifying Play-Offs which is held the week prior. It marked his return to Wimbledon since competing in the junior events in 2018 and 2019.
He faced world No.107 Tomas Barrios Vera of Chile in the opening round, who was 5th seed and former ATP 250 Chile Open champion. James fought hard and although he lost he learned a lot from the experience. It marks a strong rise for the 24-year-old from Cardiff, who only turned pro in summer 2024 and continues to climb the world rankings.
These three players are amongst the best players in Wales currently and show that Wales is ready to make its mark on the international stage once again.
