EVESHAM tennis starlet Matthew Sime insisted he could still hold his head up high despite falling just short of a dream outing at Wimbledon.

As the likes of British No.1 Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams prepare for the upcoming Wimbledon assault, Sime had the chance to book himself a spot at the world-famous venue as he competed in the HSBC Road to Wimbledon Midlands Regional Qualifier at Billesley Tennis Centre in Birmingham.

The 14-year-old Prince Henry’s High School pupil was playing for a spot at August’s National Finals of the HSBC Road to Wimbledon 14 & Under Challenge at the All England Club, looking to walk away as overall champion of the tournament.

But, despite falling short of a memorable outing at the famous SW19 courts this time around, Pershore Club’s Sime is adamant we haven’t seen the last of him after losing out to Louis Marsden 1-6 0-6 in the first round.

“It wasn’t quite to be this time,” he said. “Louis was very good, that’s the thing about this competition, you play against some fantastic people.

“I like to think that will make me better, it’s great watching yourself improve and I’m desperate to be better in my next competitions.

“Ever since I picked up a racket it’s seemed natural for me, I’ve got very good hand-eye co-ordination and it’s been such good fun. Competitions like this top it off.

“It would have been fantastic to have reached Wimbledon, it’s the top of people’s lists but hopefully there’ll be more chances for me to do that.”

HSBC is the official banking partner of The championships and is committed to supporting grassroots tennis, helping to inspire the next generation of Wimbledon stars to take their tennis careers from the back garden to Centre Court through the HSBC Road to Wimbledon 14 & Under Challenge. @HSBC_sport