Aughton tennis youngster Nicola George enjoys first outing at Wimbledon

Jul 2 2009 Skelmersdale Advertiser

A TEENAGE tennis player from West Lancashire got her first taste of Wimbledon this week when she made her bow in the girls’ singles and doubles’ tournaments.

Sadly for Nicola George, her experience in the singles was not a happy one as she lost in the first round to Slovakian Vivien Juhaszova 6-4, 7-5.

And late yesterday, she was due on Court 14 in her doubles match alongside compatriot Jennifer Ren. The pair were scheduled to face two Dutch teenagers.

But as her proud dad, Geoff, explained, it is an experience he hopes she will learn from and make her a stronger player in the future.

Her natural ability to play the game was clear from an early age and Nicola became a member of Ormskirk Tennis Club at the age of just three.

Both Geoff and his wife Heather have made many personal sacrifices to help their daughter’s career progress, including the decision to educate her from her home in Swanpool Lane, Aughton.

And their tremendous assistance has started to bear fruit as Nicola’s game has improved over time.

Her career began at the age of five when she attended the first course run by the Ormskirk Tennis Partnership in 1998.