A 13-YEAR-OLD from Ilminster will represent Somerset in a national tennis competition in Wimbledon.

Marcus King won the Play Your Way to Wimbledon County Finals at Taunton Tennis Club to secure a place in the National Finals of the junior tournament taking place in August.

Marcus, who has played tennis since he was three, can not wait to play in the finals of the competition in Wimbledon.

His mum, Liz King, said he was never able to join the Play Your Way to Wimbledon tournament as he was too young.

She also said: “He is mega excited. He has been to Wimbledon before to watch the players with the school, but he can’t quite believe he is going back to play. He did really well to get through.

“He never played on the grass so it will be a very beneficial experience for him.

“All the major counties will send just one player so it’s a great achievement.”

He will go to Wimbledon with his coach who plays for Team GB and will help him through the competition.

Liz added: “Marcus started when he was three and used to play tennis with his older brother. Then he started tournaments and progressed through the stages.”

Marcus also plays tennis in the South Somerset District League.

Play Your Way to Wimbledon Singles Pathway competitions are hosted at any LTA registered venues, as well as Schools in England, Scotland, Wales, Channel Islands, and Isle of Man.

The winners of these local events will then go through to their County Finals – with the majority taking place on 9 and 10 July 2022, however, some County Finals may take place before this date (County Finals in Scotland will take place on 18 and 19 June 2022).

County Final champions are then invited to compete in the National Finals at Wimbledon from August 7 to August 13.