Noppawan Awarded Wimbledon Qualifying Wild Card

Wimbledon junior runnerup Noppawan Lertcheewakarn was awarded a wildcard into the open qualifying round of the grass Major which kicks underway on Monday.

The 17yearold Thai was one of the eight players to have been given the privilege by the All England Club. She made a request for the wildcard, highlighting on her achievements as last year's Wimbledon junior finalist and 2008 world junior No 1.

"They just confirmed me on Tuesday about the wildcard. I was escalated they gave me the opportunity. I love to play on grass,'' said Noppawan who just lifted up the French Open junior doubles trophy last Saturday.

The good news arrived a few days after her cash worth around 24,000 Thai baht had been stolen at a hotel while she was playing the doubles final in Roland Garros.

"I never left money at the hotel until that day. Most of the money was from people in Thailand who asked me to get things for them. I was very upset but at least something good happened after such a horrible thing,'' said the teenager, currently No 4 in the world.

Noppawan will join Danai Udomchoke, who enters the men's singles by rankings, in the qualifying competition. Besides she aimed to play her swansong  junior Wimbledon on a high note.

"I will have a whole week training on grass before the qualifying. I want to make it to the maindraw while in the junior I hope to become the champion this year," said Noppawan who lost to Briton Laura Robson in the final a year ago.