Tennis player Kyla Eves has eyes set on Wimbledon

Ten-year-old Kyla Eves has only been playing the last four years but has proven natural talent and determination are a smashing combination.

Proud mother Sarah McGarva, says “it’s her life” and Kyla’s goal is junior Wimbledon.

The Edwards Hall pupil, from Leigh, was accepted into the the Lawn Tennis Association’s (LTA) Winter National Tour, as one of just 32 girls in her age group, in the entire country after achieving success in several junior competitions.”

Kyla is currently top of the leaderboard having competed in Sunderland, Bolton and Norwich so far this year.

Ms McGarva, said: “I’m really pleased for her. Everyone said she deserves to win.

“She showed so much strength and courage and was so happy when she won.

“It was really tense, I don’t know how she does it - it must be so nerve racking with everybody watching her.

“Kyla was 9-3 up in the tie break and was so excited being one match point away from winning the whole thing.

“I don’t think it sunk in for her at first. Some girls throw themselves around but she juts shook the girl’s hand and walked over to me saying ‘I’ve won’.

“Everybody fights to get in to that tournament - we are all so proud of her. Tennis is her life she has such a passion for it, that is all she wants to do.

“She wants to play tennis all the time, even during half term.”

Kyla trains six times-a-week, at her tennis club in Westcliff, as well as the Redbridge Tennis Academy and regional training in St. Albans.

All of which mum, Sarah, takes her too.

She added: “There is a lot of travelling involved but I don’t mind as Kyla loves it so much and has so much potential.

“She wants to make a career out of tennis and we are behind her all the way, along with her older brother and two sisters who are all very proud of her too.” Kyla has since been invited to play in the European championships, Ten Pro, in Brussels in May, for high performance players, but has not yet made a decision whether to take part.