A WILTSHIRE teen has taken her first steps towards a professional tennis career, with the help of Tim Henman’s long-serving coach.

Amelia Bissett, from Poulshot, Devizes, is 17-years-old, and has recently moved to London after being offered a place at the Junior Tennis Coaching Academy, headed up by Henman’s coach, David Felgate. She says she “hasn’t looked back”.

Before that, Amelia trained at the University of Bath, TeamBath Tennis Academy, until the age of 16.

She is currently 67th in the world for U18 Junior players and is now embarking on her professional career.

Amelia is, at present, competing in Egypt, where she has been for the past four weeks.

Over the last few tournaments, she has beaten a player placed 855th in the world aged 24 and also defeated an opponent ranked 794th in the world (both on the women’s circuit).

In July last year, she played in The Progress Tour and won the event held at the National Tennis Centre which was televised on BBC Sport.

She is at present number 2 in Great Britain for U18 girls and has represented Great Britain in every age group since the age of 11.

In order to travel to keep up her world ranking, and to make progress on the women’s professional circuit, Amelia needs sponsorship.

She intends on making all the Junior Grand Slams this year - Wimbledon, The French Open, and The US Open - but it has become increasingly more expensive to travel with her coach, especially due to the pandemic.

Additional funding is needed to support Amelia’s dream of becoming a professional tennis player and to represent GB in the Fed Cup.

If you are interested in any sponsorship, get in touch by emailing timothy.bissett@btinternet.com or by telephone on 07887986104 or 01380828410.

This would include exposure at Junior Wimbledon and the rest of the Junior Grand Slams this year.

The Wimbledon tennis championships run from June 28 to July 11 this summer.