Sixteen-year-old Brit into maiden Grand Slam girls’ semi-final
©Julien Crosnier / FFTWhat a way to spend your birthday. British junior Hannah Klugman was practising at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, Spain, this March and was stunned to see who turned up courtside.
“We were just hitting and he popped out. I didn’t see him [at first] but as soon as I saw him I thought, ‘Oh my God, I’m so tight!’ I went and sat down and we all chatted,” Klugman told rolandgarros.com.
“Me and my coach were asking Rafa how far he stood back behind the court and why. We trained on his own court there, which has a massive run back. Honestly, I don’t know how he returned so well.
“I had three days there, which was amazing, I’m so grateful they gave me that opportunity at Rafa’s. I love Rafa.”
During their courtside chats, the 14-time Roland-Garros champion offered some reassuring wisdom that is benefiting the 16-year-old this week in Paris.
“He said to me, once you have the level, things will come, so trust the hard work, the process,” Klugman continued. “If you’re not having results right now, you have to keep believing.”
On Thursday, the No.8 seed channelled Nadal's warrior spirit, fending off match point in a thrilling 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 girls' quarter-final comeback over Sarah Melany Fajmonova.
“I’m actually not sure what just happened. It was amazing. The atmosphere definitely got me through the match. I played her two weeks ago in Milan and we had an absolute battle then too,” said the Brit, who edged Fajmonova 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-4 in Italy.
“Today, the margins in tennis are crazy. I probably should have lost today. I’m just really proud how I went after it in the really big moments and kept my composure.”
The winning match point involved Klugman digging up a forehand on the run before a pinball net duel. It was a fine finish to a determined display, culminating with Klugman bent double across the net.
©Julien Crosnier / FFT“It was a mix of exhaustion and shock with what just happened, getting to that last volley,” the junior world No.13 reflected.
“I couldn’t be happier. That’s obviously the goal, heading into the tournament you want to win it. One match at a time, even one point at a time.
“I’m in a good head space. I’m enjoying being on the court with a good atmosphere. I feel great.”
Paris is a special place for the Wimbledon resident, especially as she relishes the challenge of playing on clay.
“This was the first [junior] Grand Slam that I qualified for [in 2023] and I’d never got past the second round, so this is several steps up,” she said.
“It’s always been the one I’ve wanted to do well in, I find that I love clay. A lot of Brits struggle on the clay, but I love it. I just want to see how far I can go.”
Last June, Klugman made headlines by winning two matches at the Wimbledon women’s qualifying for her home major. Alycia Parks put paid to her run at the final hurdle.
However, a settled team, including long-standing coach Ben Haran, as well as the additions of renowned strength and conditioning coach Jez Green and physio Will Herbert, is providing the foundations for Klugman to keep evolving.
“Wimbledon last year was amazing. It took me some time to build momentum afterwards, I couldn’t find my game. I was working really hard, I felt like I was progressing with my game, but I wasn’t winning many matches,” the teenager said.
“It was obviously tough, but you need to trust it with a good team around you keeping you up. It all pays off in the end and tournaments like this make you realise why you play and keep you working.”
At Wimbledon two years ago, Klugman was a training partner with women's world No.6 Mirra Andreeva, who has since risen into the world’s top 10.
“I love watching Mirra. She’s a young superstar already, I admire how she handles everything, with all the pressure,” Klugman said.
“I love the ways she plays as well. I think I play quite similar to her, than the rest of the top girls. My game is a bit more around playing like a boy and she’s like that, with the shape and variety too.”
Breakout wild card Lois Boisson, who competes in the women’s semi-finals on Thursday, has also got Klugman motivated to continue on her current trajectory.
“For sure it’s inspiring. We talked about Lois. She played a W35 tournament I played in a few weeks ago in Spain and one of the juniors here [Lilli Tagger] beat her, now she’s in the semi-finals!
“The margins in tennis are so minor, a lot of the juniors are there, but it’s clearly not just about tennis at the end of the day. It’s about consistency. I think it will all come. Wimbledon is big time for us too, so I’m very excited for the months ahead.”
ROLAND-GARROS
19 May - 8 June 2025
