Mimi Xu Eyes WTA Top 100 After Breakthrough Wimbledon and Tour Wins

Mimi Xu: Britain's Next Big Tennis Hope

Mimi Xu is quickly becoming a name you can't ignore in British tennis. At just 17, she's already made her mark, stringing together highlights that would make even seasoned pros jealous. Her Wimbledon run this year was the talk of the town—not just because of her age, but because she and her partner Mika Stojsavljevic upset the favorites on their way to the girls' doubles final. They took down Alena Kovačková and Laura Samson, the top seeds, in a tense quarterfinal. The final was a nail-biter; Xu and Stojsavljevic barely missed out on the trophy, losing in a championship tiebreak to Tyra Caterina Grant and Iva Jovic.

This wasn't a one-off for the UK. For the second year in a row, an all-British duo reached the finals—the year before, it was Hannah Klugman and Isabelle Lacy. It's a sign that British junior tennis is gaining some real traction, and Xu is right at the center of it.

Breakthroughs Beyond the Junior Circuit

While some juniors fizzle after early promise, Xu's momentum hasn't slowed. She added an ITF W100 doubles title in Shrewsbury to her growing collection last October. Her partner there, Amelia Rajecki, proved to be a perfect match, and the win helped solidify Xu's presence beyond junior rankings. The British team also captured a bronze at the Junior Billie Jean King Cup, with Xu making a big contribution to Great Britain's strong finish—another highlight for her and for the national program as a whole.

But the real buzz kicked in during the 2025 season. Xu got her first taste of the WTA 125 circuit with a wildcard into the Birmingham Open. Most people wouldn't expect a 17-year-old newcomer to cause much trouble, but Xu didn't stick to the script. She shocked world No. 52 Alycia Parks in straight sets—an upset that raised some eyebrows—and only lost in the quarters to France's Jessika Ponchet. Two weeks later, she debuted on the WTA Tour main draw in Nottingham, beating top-100 player Katie Volynets in the opening round. Sure, she didn't go all the way, but these wins proved that Xu isn't intimidated by experienced, higher-ranked opponents.

Her matches aren't just about raw talent either; the way she edged out Katarzyna Kawa in Birmingham, grinding through a three-set duel, showed plenty of grit. That's the kind of attitude that turns potential into real results.

Backing up her ambitions is the LTA's Pro Scholarship Programme, giving her the resources and coaching she needs to make the big jump. Despite sitting at number nine in the junior world rankings, Xu isn't getting ahead of herself. She's focused on chipping away at her weaknesses and handling the step up to senior competition. Her target? To break into the top 100 of the WTA within five years—a bold but plausible aim given her trajectory.

Success so far hasn't gone to her head. Xu still talks about the future as her real proving ground, hinting she's got a lot left to show on the courts. With the support around her and a steely focus that's unusual for her age, she's easily one of the most exciting young prospects in British tennis today. The next few years should be fun to watch.