Jay Clarke hopes to inspire young kids after agonising Wimbledon defeat
"If anybody was watching today, wanted to pick up a racket, that's a bonus"
Wednesday 4 July 2018 15:38, UK
Britain's Jay Clarke says he hopes to inspire budding young tennis stars after coming agonisingly close to his first Wimbledon victory.
The 19-year-old wild card pushed former top-10 player Ernests Gulbis to five sets but was eventually beaten 4-6 6-3 7-6 (7-3) 3-6 6-4 on Tuesday.
Clarke is unusual among British tennis players in having come from an inner-city background in Derby.
He has spoken out about the difficulties a lack of financial support from the Lawn Tennis Association has caused, as well as the racist abuse he regularly suffers on social media, but hopes his story can prove to be an inspiration.
"I hope I inspire people," he said. "I don't think I'm in the position, that high ranked or well known, to do that at the minute. If anybody was watching today, wanted to pick up a racket, that's a bonus."
Clarke has established himself as Britain's brightest emerging talent and, after narrowly missing out on qualifying 12 months ago, he was awarded a Wimbledon wild card this time following his ascent into the top 250.
He claimed his first ATP Tour victory in Eastbourne last week to provide another indication that he is on the right track.
"I don't really like to set ranking goals because that just adds unnecessary pressure," he said. "Over the next year or two years, I hope to be here on my own ranking, not to be relying on wild cards. There's a lot of things to happen between now and then."
On his agonising defeat to Latvia's Gulbis, he added: "I'm very sad with how it ended. it was literally two points at 4-4. It was a good match. He's been 10 in the world, semis of slams. I think he's had a couple of good wins here, as well. There will be a lot of positives to take.
"It's tough to see them right now. But when I look back, maybe in two, three days' time with my team, I'm sure I'll take some stuff."
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Our next tennis action comes from the German Open in Hamburg. Watch the action live on Sky Sports Arena from Monday, July 23 from 10am.
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