“It feels like I’m kind of here for the first time, you know, because doubles it great and I guess it gets you into all the big tournaments if you’re doing well at it,” Purcell told Tennis Australia. Source: Tennis Australia.
The first round of Wimbledon will be played today with the 24-year-old up against Frenchmen Adrian Mannarino.
It’s the first time the Sydney born pro has made it past the qualifying round in Men’s Singles at Wimbledon calling the momentous occasion a “dream come true”.
While he’s set to face-off against Mannarino tonight, he’ll also team up with fellow Australian Matt Ebden for the first round of the Men’s Doubles that start on Wednesday.
Also set to make an appearance in the first round is Thanasi Kokkinakis, who will go head-to-head with Poland’s Kamil Majchrzak. This year has proved to be a good one so far, with an ATP title and an Australian Open doubles title for the World No. 82.
Following his match will be John Millman who will face World No.25 Miomir Kecmanovic.
Tomorrow will see James Duckworth, Alex de Minaur, Nick Kyrigos, Jordon Thompson, and Alexei Popyrin head onto the court.
The Women’s singles hopes lie on the shoulders of many talented Aussies with Maddison Inglis kicking things off to make her Wimbledon debut. Tuesday will see the likes of Astra Sharma, Zoe Hives and Jamiee Fourlis.
Daria Gavrilova, who is now listed on the WTA as Daria Saville after recently tying the knot is making her Wimbledon return as a wild card. She was very persistent with Wimbledon officials for the opening, citing her rise in ranks from No. 627 in February to No. 98 in June.
“I didn’t want to brag about my results but I pretty much said that I missed out by only a little bit and would now be inside the cut. I then sent another email saying, ‘I had a good run in Berlin and now I am inside the top 100. Hello? Please?’,” she told Wimbledon.
World No.128 Ajla Tomlijanovic will also be making her Wimbledon Singles debut.
While there are about 15 Aussies going for the title, big hitters from around the world will also be in attendance.
Serena Williams and Angelique Kerber will make appearances in the first-round while the Men’s Singles will see Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
