TENNIS: JUNIOR smash hit Sharni Jones is to fulfil the tennis ambition of a lifetime by getting to play on the famous grass courts of Wimbledon.
The 11-year-old from Great Sutton earned her fabulous trip to the All-England club by taking top spot in the Cheshire county finals of the 'Road to Wimbledon' Championships.
The tournament offers youngsters from all across the country the chance to qualify for an elite competition on the world-famous Wimbledon courts.
Sharni booked her place by defeating one of her training partners, Danielle Webster of Hoylake, also 11, 6-3, 6-4 in the Cheshire final.
Dad Mal said: 'Although Sharni might not be the number one ranked player in Cheshire, she took advantage of this opportunity and has been rewarded with the trip of a lifetime.
'She was actually competing in the U14s section and had to defeat girls who were three years older than her on her way through to the final.
'Sharni will be one of 64 nationwide finalists who will play on courts 14 to 19. The action takes place in late August and each player is guaranteed at least four matches in a round-robin stage.
'It will be very tough as Sharni will be up against the very best in the country. But it will be a terrific experience whatever happens and one she'll never forget.'
Sharni, who has just finished at Childer Thornton Primary School, has been on the National Futures programme for the past two years.
The LTA-backed scheme selects the most promising young players in the country with the aim to mould the champions of tomorrow.
As well as providing Sharni with top-class coaching, it also enables her to benefit from regular trips to the National Sports Centre at Bisham Abbey.
Mal said: 'Sharni might be starting on a new programme at Loughborough but we'll have to wait and see how she gets on this summer.
'Her game has improved dramatically over the past couple of years but she's still very young and has a long way to go before becoming the complete player.'
