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London – Claire Liu is the youngest player in Wimbledon and the Californian teenager surfs on a wave of new American talents who are entering the big moment.
Liu, 18, Wimbledon's women's champion last year, was back at the All England Club, this time among seniors, where she gave the former world number one Angelique Kerber a race for his money, although she is the lowest ranked player. "We have a lot of young Americans who are doing very well, this energy and seeing everyone cope, it's pushing me to get better," said Liu
after three qualifying rounds, Liu, world No. 237, He beat Croatian Ana Konjuh in the first round to set up Thursday's clash with Kerber.
Liu took the first set of the double Grand Slam champion but lost 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 against the 11th seeded German. on the court 1000 court seat 12
This was the first time that Liu was facing a top 10 and she was happy "Overall, I'm pretty satisfied with the way I'm I played, "she said.
"I tried to play as if I had nothing to lose and see that I took him a length in advance, it gives me some confidence to know that I can play against the best pros
"I'm just going to learn. Every game I've played, I can learn, especially this one. It was a great experience and I hope to be able to take it in the rest of the season. "
Liu is part of a wave of American teenagers who went through the women's tour, including Sofia Kenin, Catherine Bellis, Caroline Dolehide and Amanda Anisimova
At 18, Liu is 20 years old less than her compatriot Venus Williams, the oldest player among the women's 128.
But the Californian is not a novice of Wimbledon: she won the women's doubles 2016 She became the first American to winning the women's singles title since Chanda Rubin in 1992, which earned her a ticket to the Wimbledon Ball after the tournament.
"It was probably my prom because I did not have it It was an amazing experience to see Roger Federer and Garbine Muguruza, "she said about last year's champions.
She declared that her youth did 39; had not worried about the main draw at Wimbledon. "I tried not to think about being the youngest, "she said.
"The most important thing is to focus on improvement and not worry about winning or losing."
Eugenie Bouchard, 2012 Wimbledon champion, the suggested players should spend more time tweaking their game on the junior circuit rather than rushing to become professional.
But Liu claimed that it was to the individual. But if you have the right state of mind and you work hard, I do not see why the best juniors could not do well.
Kerber, who won the US Open and Australian 2016, predicted good things for Liu.
"She will definitely have a bright future," said the German. if she trains like that and plays games like that.
Kerber said it could be a difficult transition between juniors and seniors, despite the best young people having played for the titles.
major tournaments. You play against the best players in the world. It's a big step. "
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