Wimbledon: Essex tennis player Ryan Peniston a wildcard entry

A British tennis player who beat cancer as a baby is making his debut at Wimbledon as a wildcard entry at the championships.

Ryan Peniston, external, 26, from Great Wakering near Southend in Essex, will play Switzerland's Henri Laaksonen, who is ranked 95th in the world.

Peniston, ranked 135, external, told BBC Look East he had been dreaming of playing at Wimbledon since he was a child.

"It's amazing, I can't really put it into the words the feeling of being here," he said.

"I don't have much memory of going through cancer... but it was a really tough time for my parents... and I'm just very grateful to be sitting here right now at Wimbledon."

Peniston's first round match was due to take place on Monday, and this interview was recorded ahead of that, but rain delays meant it was rescheduled for 11:00 BST on Court 12 on Tuesday.

Latest on Wimbledon from BBC Sport

  • Subsection
  • Published