A YOUNG teen has had the opportunity to play at one of the most prestigious tennis courts in the world as part of a national competition.

Isla Charnock, 13, of Carlisle, went down to London to compete at the under 14’s competition on Saturday, August 6.

She trains at, and is a member of, Chatsworth Tennis Club in Carlisle.

Her mother, Nicola, said: “She has been playing tennis since she was four year old.

“The kids all across the country get an opportunity to play at Wimbledon.

“They compete at the club level, and the winners from each club go to a county final, then those winners go play at the national final for their age group, it’s a bit of a round robin.

“Isla didn’t get through to the last 16 unfortunately, but it’s great that she had the opportunity to get there in the first place.”

It wasn’t about winning, the experience of playing at Wimbledon alone was great, and it was just like she was playing in the singles final as an adult at the finals, as Nicola explained: “They were treated exactly like the professionals were.

“They had their own dressing rooms, they had a card to spend on food and drink when they were in there, there was a person who cleaned their kit; there are ice baths, a personal physiotherapist and they are treated just as the pros are, being given exclusive access to the same changing facilities and the food and drink areas.

“They are also lucky enough to get a free tour of Wimbledon itself.

“It was basically like a mini pro competition.

“They had to wear the traditional whites as well, exactly like the pros."

But it’s not just tennis, Nicola said.

When she’s off the court, she’s in the pool, as she swims, and competes in all of her school teams across a variety of sports and disciplines.

As for what's next, they've got county championships that happen at the end of August, and then who knows, we may see her at the singles final at Wimbledon!

READ MORE: Family rises above lockdown with legendary hot sauce company