Banks beams after seizing golden Wimbledon opportunity

By Abi Curran

Amarni Banks beamed after seizing a golden opportunity at Wimbledon Qualifying and now just one match stands between her and a main draw spot in SW19.

The Bolton-based starlet came up against top 150 player Kayla Day but qualifying wild card Banks, who prefers not to dwell on ranking, pulled out the performance of her career in Roehampton.

Banks broke Day at the earliest opportunity to set her up on a determined run to take the first set after coming from 4-1 down in the tie-break.

She powered through in the second set to win 7-6(6) 6-3 against the American.

She said: “I can’t even describe it, this is just amazing, I’m feeling really positive and happy with the win.

“You’ve just got to take it one point at a time and that’s what I was telling myself after every point, even the ones I was losing.

“I’m really in the moment, I’m just trying to take in as much as my coaches say but they definitely supported me all the way through and that got me through that match.

“The support is amazing, I’ve never experienced anything like that and it’s just everything.

“Since I’ve been playing tennis, since I was three or four years old, being at the Grand Slams and playing on the main stages is what I’ve always dreamt of so that would mean the world to me.”

Last week, at the LTA’s Lexus Ilkley Trophy, Banks secured her first senior win on grass and, entering the Wimbledon Qualifying draw on a wild card, the North West ace is going from strength to strength on the surface.

Banks, who has been playing the sport since she was four years old at Bolton Arena, played junior Wimbledon in 2019 and, five years later, will be doing everything in her power to make the Grand Slam main draw on Thursday.

She said: “I couldn’t have wished for anything better, hopefully I can do the same tomorrow.

“A few years ago I was injured quite a lot so me and my team have worked on that, just staying fit and healthy and staying on the match court as long as possible.

“It’s paid off and it’s starting to show with my results.

“At this level, every player is going to be a good player and has done well to get here so I’ll just do my best.”

For the latest action on the British summer grass court season, check out the LTA website