CLITHEROE tennis starlet Anirudh Mohan admits watching this year’s Wimbledon is made all the more difficult after he fell just short of strutting his stuff at the world famous venue.

The 13-year-old – who trains at Ribble Valley Tennis Club – was playing for a spot at August’s HSBC Road to Wimbledon 14 & Under Challenge at the All England Club.

But, despite falling short of a memorable outing at the famous SW19 courts this time around, the Clitheroe Grammar School pupil is adamant we haven’t seen the last of him after losing out to Robin Bloomer.

“I made too many unforced errors unfortunately, and I should have just tried to keep the ball in play a little bit longer,” he said.

“But it is really exciting to come here as everyone is very good who plays, the facilities are really nice and it’s good experience for me.

“It’s inspiring that the prize is to go to Wimbledon, as not many tournaments we play in allow you to play on that kind of big stage.”

The HSBC Road to Wimbledon 14 & under Challenge began in 2002 and is the largest junior tournament in the UK with youngsters bidding to reach the national final at the All England Club.

And, although Mohan failed to advance to Wimbledon, former British No.1 Tim Henman believes he is still very much one to watch out for in the future.

“Players are always disappointed when they miss out on qualifying for the HSBC Road to Wimbledon National Final and a chance to play on the grass courts at Wimbledon,” said Henman.

“Hopefully Anirudh will be spurred on to greater achievements in his junior career and who knows maybe even to play at The Championships in the future.”

n The HSBC Road to Wimbledon National 14 & Under Challenge is the UK’s largest national junior grass court tournament and forms part of HSBC’s investment in the stars of the future.