Wimbledon Star Mimi Xu Comes Home & Supports “She Can” Project
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Welsh No.1 Mimi Xu returned to her home city of Swansea this week to support the inspiring “She Can” tennis project, aimed at empowering the Chinese community in Swansea through tennis whilst increasing participation in the sport within the city.
Hosted at Cwmdonkin Park, the sessions are delivered in partnership with the Chinese In Wales Association (CIWA) and led by local tennis coach Ellinore Lightbody.
The Tennis Wales Tie Break fund invested into the programme, which now offers weekly at Cwmdonkin Park.
Mimi (17), made her debut in the women’s main draw and reached the junior semi-finals at Wimbledon two weeks ago, but took time to meet young players, share her story, and take part in a fun session. Her presence lit up the courts and gave children and families the chance to meet the player they’d watched and followed.
Mimi Xu said: “It’s really important that tennis feels open and welcoming to everyone. I loved coming back to Swansea and seeing how projects like ‘She Can’ are creating new opportunities for people to get involved. Hopefully today inspired someone to fall in love with our sport.”
Mimi’s former coach & lifelong supporter Ellinore Lightbody runs the new programme and hopes to inspire young players to follow in Mimi’s footsteps.
“She Can” is just one of the new initiatives backed by the Tennis Wales Tie Break Fund, which supports projects to open tennis up, right across Wales. With local tennis heroes like Mimi Xu getting behind the cause, the sport is well on its way to becoming more inclusive and will hopefully inspire the next generation.
