Essex tennis ace Ryan Peniston is ‘over the moon’ to have received a first main draw singles wildcard for Wimbledon.

Peniston, who benefits from the LTA’s NTC Access programme, which is for players ranked 100-200 in singles and 31-100 in doubles, providing cost-free access to courts on all three surfaces, coaching, trainers and the LTA’s tournament bonus scheme, played doubles alongside Liam Broady last year.

However, the 26-year-old from Great Wakering will now play in the singles main draw for the very first time and hopes to build on his incredible experience alongside Broady from 12 months ago. 

“I played doubles last year which was awesome,” commented Peniston, who also received a doubles wildcard alongside Alastair Gray.

“But to play the singles main draw means the world. It has been one of my dreams for a long, long time so for it to happen, I’m over the moon.

“I have this little list of goals I have. Playing the main draw at Wimbledon has always been top. To find that out was pretty special.”

The wildcard is just rewards for Peniston, who has been in strong form on his home grass courts in recent weeks.

The Essex star picked up the biggest win of his career at the LTA’s Surbiton Trophy, beating Adrian Mannarino in the opening round and backing that up with a second-round win over fellow Brit Jack Draper.

His campaign ended in the quarter-final but he followed that up with a similarly strong run at the LTA’s Rothesay Open Nottingham, where he reached the last eight after beating second seed Jiri Vesely in his opening match.

Having received a main draw wildcard into the LTA’s cinch Championships at The Queen’s Clubs, where he stunned French Open runner-up Casper Ruud in the opening round, Peniston feels his game is gearing up nicely for his SW19 charge.

Peniston commented: “I just feel like my game is in really good shape and I’m taking each match as it comes and trying to get over the line each time – which seems to be going alright.

“I’ve always liked playing on grass, ever since I was little, there’s just something about it. It’s just always been more fun – you have people diving around and everything.

“I definitely would have said before that grass is my favourite surface, but now with a few more of my results coming on clay and a few on hard, it’s quite tough to say – but I enjoy grass the most.”

For the latest action on the British summer grass court season, check out the LTA Website