At the start of this month, Ryan Peniston had never played an event on the ATP Tour, but a sparkling Wimbledon debut against Henri Laaksonen made it look like he’d been on tour for years. 

The 26-year-old wildcard from Essex, who benefits from the LTA’s NTC Access programme that provides cost-free access to courts, coaching, trainers and the LTA’s tournament bonus scheme, was almost faultless as he eased past the Swiss 6-4 6-3 6-2 in just under two hours.

Peniston came into his Wimbledon debut on a wave of confidence after career-best quarter-final results at LTA events in Queen’s and Eastbourne attracting deserved praise, though he is no ordinary late bloomer.

As a child, he needed surgery and chemotherapy to treat rhabdomyosarcoma, a soft tissue cancer, and the treatment stunted his growth until his late teens - something that affected his progression as a tennis player. 

“It's really hard to explain how it feels,” said a jubilant Peniston. “It's been such a journey, a long journey, and difficult - but super rewarding.

“I think it's been unexplainable, kind of the feelings that I have, thinking about the past times and where I've been able to get to now.

“It's such a terrible thing to go through, especially for my family, my close friends. [It had a] huge impact. It gives me so much strength.

“I've had some really, really nice messages from some foundations and people as well, from families that have gone through similar stuff. It's really special to receive those kind of messages. It puts everything into perspective really.

“I was a really late bloomer. I didn't start growing until 15. I was always about a foot smaller than all my peers. They all were growing and getting bigger serves and everything. I was struggling just trying to run around and get the balls.

“It definitely made me tougher as a player and a person.”

Having worked his way to the All England Club, Peniston - who faces American Steve Johnson in the second round - recognises there’s both greater attention and recognition in and out of the locker room.

And with a Court 12 appearance now under his belt - as well as playing on Centre Court at Queen’s and Eastbourne - he hopes to continue playing on the bigger stages and mingling with the biggest names.

He said: “It was an amazing experience - such a nice court to play on. I couldn't complain about any court at Wimbledon to play on, to be honest. You could put me on the practice courts, I'd still love it.

“I was preparing to play on Court 3 yesterday, which is a big court. Hopefully I'll get the chance to play on a big court as well in the next round.

“It’s a little bit different, to get to know a few more of the players. They're all nice. I definitely have had more of those moments. Like Rafa, all the other top guys, the legends. They're just going around doing their business, doing their thing. 

“It's pretty humbling to be in the same kind of facility, same environment as them.

“When I was younger, like a teenager, I always had people say: ‘You play tennis. I'll see you at Wimbledon one day.’ 

“I'd always say: ‘Yeah, yeah, hopefully, hopefully.’ Now to just say it's happened is unbelievable.”

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