TEENAGER Erik Wilson says his appearance at the English home of tennis has inspired him to try and return to the lush lawns as a professional player.

Erik, 13, was competing in the HSBC Road to Wimbledon 14-and-under National Challenge and reached the quarter-finals of the consolation singles event and the last 16 of the doubles last week.

The Newton Ferrers youngster, who is a student at Ivybridge Community College, said: 'I really enjoyed the experience.

'It was quite strange playing on grass for the first time, but I'd love to come back here and play as a professional and at the same event next year.

'I'll hopefully do better next year. I played on one of the show courts, court 16, too.'

The teenager admitted he was nervous initially, but felt he got better as the tournament went on. He was disappointed that he had missed out on a behind-the-scenes tour, though, as this coincided with his matches.

Erik was one of two Devon representatives at the event, the UK's largest junior grass-court tournament, along with Barnstaple's Emerson Styles.

He secured his place at Wimbledon by beating Styles in a Devon play-off at the David Lloyd Centre in Exeter and then teamed up with his opponent at the doubles event last week.

Erik had reached this stage by winning an event at the South Devon Tennis Centre in Ivybridge, where he is a member.

He currently trains at the Devonshire Health and Racquets Club in Plymouth and also the Dragon Leisure Centre in Bodmin. He trained with the Ivybridge Community College tennis academy last term.