Lexus Nottingham Open 2025: Mimi Xu taking the learnings from second round exit to world No.31
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British teenager Mimi Xu has bowed out in the second round of the Lexus Nottingham Open despite a spirited performance against world No.31 and sixth seed Magda Linette.
Competing in only her first WTA Tour event, Xu took the game to the former Australian Open semi-finalist, but ultimately experience proved the difference with Linette coming through 7-5, 6-1.
Xu held her own in the opening set, but a late break off a long forehand at 6-5 set the wheels in motion for Linette to take hold of the match. The Pole saved four of four break points in the second set to see herself through to the quarter-finals.
Now with a WTA win under her belt and having picked up victories on the grass in Birmingham and Ilkley as well, the young Briton reflected positively on her campaign and what she can take from the experience.
“I think there’s a lot to learn from it,” Xu said. “It’s my first match against someone of that level. It’s really encouraging to see where I can improve to get to that level. I’m just really excited to take these opportunities.
“It’s absolutely amazing to play in front of such a big crowd on such a nice court. Especially as a Brit, the crowd is always behind you. To have their support is amazing and it just drives you to want to do well for them. It’s really nice.”
Overall, it’s been a great summer so far for the 17-year-old from Swansea, which was only made better yesterday when she found out that she has been awarded a wild card into the main draw at Wimbledon.
It will be the first time that the young Brit – who is supported by the LTA Pro Scholarship Programme, presented by Lexus – will feature in the women’s singles at SW19 having previously only played qualifying and juniors.
Xu found out she had the wild card the night before taking an exam yesterday and the former girls’ doubles runner-up is excited to make her debut at The Championships.
“I was so happy,” she said reflecting on the moment she found out she would be playing at Wimbledon this year. “I’ve played qualies three times in a row over the last few years and this is the best grass court season I’ve ever had. To have set off really and to get the news that I got the main draw wild card was amazing.
“I think I’m playing good tennis at the moment. I’m really confident in my game, confident in myself. I think I have a chance against anyone. Probably hear this all the time but I’m just taking it one match at a time, and we’ll see.”
Xu is one of three British teenagers to receive wild cards into the women’s singles main draw, joining 2024 US Open girls’ singles champion Mika Stojsavljevic and last months Roland Garros girls’ singles runner-up Hannah Klugman.
The three players have all been around each other throughout their journeys through the ranks and have competed alongside each other at Junior Billie Jean King Cup in the past.
“Hannah, Mika and I all get on really well,” she said. “We’ve known each other since we were young and have grown up together so it’s a really good atmosphere. We push each other to be better every day.
“I train at the National Tennis Centre at the moment so you get to see all the pros when they are back from tournaments. It’s something that really inspires us and pushes us to be better.”
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