Wildcard ensures Wimbledon return for Team Bath MCTA’s Anna Smith and Jocelyn Rae
Team Bath MCTA Tennis player Anna Smith and her women’s doubles partner Jocelyn Rae have been handed wildcards for Wimbledon 2016.
The Championships, taking place from June 27 to July 10, will mark a third Grand Slam appearance of the year for Smith and Rae, who are Britain’s doubles partnership in the Federation Cup.
They reached the last 16 at the Australian Open in January and progressed to the last 32 at the French Open last month – the same stage they reached at Wimbledon 2015.
That was Smith’s best result on her five previous visits to Wimbledon, dating back to her senior debut at the All England Club in 2008.
Smith – coached by Dave Sammel, Ian MacDonald and Bob Smith at the University of Bath Sports Training Village – and Rae are continuing their Wimbledon warm-up at the Aegon Ilkley Trophy this week.
Fellow Team Bath MCTA player Samantha Murray is also playing in Ilkley as she continues her comeback from a long-term injury. She recorded a hard-fought 5-7 6-3 7-5 victory over Lesley Kerkhove of the Netherlands in the first round of the women’s singles on Wednesday.
