After picking up his first ever ATP tour points, Rothley teenager Connor Glennon is off to America in a few weeks to strengthen his bid to become a tennis professional.
The 18-year-old has already come an incredibly long way from picking up a racket for the first time while at Rothley Primary School aged six.
The previous week he alongside Scott Whitbread reached the AEGON Pro Series doubles semi-finals at Loughborough University which ensured Glennon picked up his first ever points towards a world rankings.
And he showed his potential last week by reaching the same series’ semi-finals again in Nottingham but this time in the singles.
He took on Dan Evans currently ranked sixth in Britain, and 324th in the world losing 6-4, 6-2.
“It wasn’t a bad performance,” said Glennon who is now off to the University of Memphis. “I’ve not really played in that many tournaments this year as I’ve been out in America looking at colleges but just the fact I’m up against the likes of Evans is good.
“Going to America is pretty much a dream for me. I’ve been looking forward to it for the past couple of years but now it’s a reality.
“I’m really looking forward to the lifestyle and to becoming a better player.”
Connor’s family are not from a tennis background but after getting hooked on the sport in Primary School he’s not looked back once.
But he also still represents Rothley Tennis Club at a county level and is hoping going to America will be the next step on the road to becoming a professional.
“I hope to continue to develop,” Connor continued. “Then when I graduate I will be and then hopefully I will be able to get a place on one of the tours.
“There’s loads of professional tennis players who have been through the college system and I hope I can emulate those.”
courtesy of Loughborough Echo