Mimi Xu could follow in the footsteps of compatriot Emma Raducanu after receiving a wildcard for Wimbledon.The 14-year-old triumphed at the LTA Under-18 Junior National Championships in Roehampton on Friday.She beat fellow Loughborough Academy player Talia Neilson-Gatenby, aged 16, to clinch victory.Xu has subsequently been awarded a wildcard into the qualifying tournament at Wimbledon, which is scheduled to begin on June 27th.“Playing in the Grand Slam events is what we all dream about and I can’t wait to play the Wimbledon qualifying now,” said Xu.“I have been playing well and I’m so happy to come through. The first set was a good level from me and then Talia raised her game. I am back for the under-16s next week and hopefully I can play well again.”Xu now has the chance to emulate the achievements of fellow Briton Raducanu, who played at Wimbledon last year with a wildcard into the main draw.Having made her WTA Tour main-draw debut just weeks before, Raducanu caused a sensation by reaching the fourth round of the Grand Slam.

She was forced to withdraw from her last-16 match against Ajla Tomljanović with breathing difficulties, but then continued her excellent form at the US Open.

Raducanu became the first qualifier to ever win a Grand Slam at Flushing Meadows – winning 10 games in a row without dropping a set during the tournament.

It was the first time a female British tennis player had won a major since Virginia Wade in 1977.

The 19-year-old has struggled on the WTA Tour since, however, winning just two of seven matches played this year. Illness and injuries have played a significant part in her early exits from tournaments.

Raducanu will now be seeking to prove herself on clay-court, the surface she is most unfamiliar with. She is set to compete at the Stuttgart Open next week.

Although Raducanu’s form has been inconsistent in recent weeks, she will still be providing inspiration to young tennis players such as Xu.