Mimi Xu will open Wimbledon on Monday against Daria Kasatkina. The Wales player says she will not be hindered by expectation when she steps onto the grass again.
Kasatkina is ranked 68 in the WTA rankings, 259 places above Xu. Xu was also drawn against Emma Raducanu at Wimbledon last year, when she received a wildcard entry to her first Grand Slam tournament.
This return comes after a sharper rise through 2025. Xu became Wales' first representative in a Wimbledon main draw for 20 years, then won both the singles and doubles titles at the Wrexham Open last October before being named Tennis Wales' player of the year in February.
Mimi Xu and Wales support
Xu has leaned into that backing rather than away from it. "It's an honour for me and I've got so many people backing me, especially in Swansea," she said, and she added that her friends, family and past coaches have been sending support that she is "extremely grateful for."
She also said the crowd support has already carried her through difficult moments. "I think it's just going to carry me through each match. Each tough moment I face it will get me through because the support I've received is absolutely amazing," Xu said, pointing to the same lift she felt at the Wrexham Open. "Even though it was north Wales and I'm from south Wales the support I received was absolutely amazing. It got me through some tight moments and matches. It feels amazing to have such a group of people behind you," she said.
Daria Kasatkina in Monday
The draw hands Xu a difficult first test. She said: "I was really excited (when hearing the draw). She's a really skillful player and so many strengths. It's going to be a tough match but I'm training better every day. So I'm just ready to go out there and fight for each point," and that is the task waiting for her on Monday.
Xu has said she is fit and healthy after recent injury problems, which removes one concern before the opener. How far she can go after this match is still the bigger question, but the first answer will come against a player ranked 68 and well ahead of her in the field.
