jo kent, bbc south today, amesbury. in tennis, norfolk teenager ben bartram makes his grand slam debut tomorrow at the australian open. the 17 year old is the country s highest ranked junior wheelchair tennis player. but he s now playing in the senior ranks, and could face his hero, and training partner in norwich, alfie hewett. bartram told our sports reporter tom williams how tennis saved him from a bad place growing up. he has come a long way. he s now reached the top. ben bartram is in australia for the biggest match of his life, his grand slam debut. there was the confirmation i was in, i was just over the moon, i was so happy. it was a phone call. i just shouted it. i was at home, i said, i m in! i mean, i m absolutely buzzing for it, i can t wait to get out there and start playing. ben s enjoyed a stellar junior career, winning last year s boys us open. he has already won six senior titles too, earning him a wild card in melbourne. he has a rare genetic disorder that affects b
naomi osaka would feature at this year s tournament, at this year s tournament, and in the last hour osaka has confirmed she won t be, as she is pregnant. in a statement on social media, the 25 year0old said she was looking the 25 year old said she was looking forward to her child watching one of her matches in the future and confirmed she hopes to play in melbourne next year. now, ahead of the biggest match of his life, one of britain s rising tennis stars has told the bbc how the sport saved him as he dealt with loneliness and anxiety . stilljust 17 years old, ben bartram is the uk s highest ranked junior wheelchair player and has now gained a wildcard for this month s australian open. matt graveling reports. the last few shots before a first shot at the big time. meet 17 year old ben bartram, already heading to a grand slam. i 17-year-old ben bartram, already heading to a grand slam.- 17-year-old ben bartram, already heading to a grand slam. i was over the moon-
heading to a grand slam. i was over the moon- l heading to a grand slam. i was over the moon. i had heading to a grand slam. i was over the moon. i hadjust heading to a grand slam. i was over the moon. i had just showered - heading to a grand slam. i was over the moon. i had just showered at i the moon. i had just showered at home. i said, the moon. i had just showered at home. isaid, i m in! absolutely buzzing for it. he home. i said, i m in! absolutely buzzing for it home. i said, i m in! absolutely buzzing for it. he has already won the us open buzzing for it. he has already won the us open as buzzing for it. he has already won the us open asjunior, buzzing for it. he has already won the us open asjunior, but - buzzing for it. he has already won l the us open asjunior, but his trick the us open as junior, but his trick it to the australian open senior draw is a trip of more than 10,000 miles. fora player draw is a trip of more than 10,000 miles. for a player already come
The Brits have won eight titles in the last week , including a several firsts’, victories on home soil and a fifth senior doubles title of the year for a rising wheelchjair star,