CRICKLADE tennis starlet Ethan Miller insists he is hungrier than ever to see his name in lights after falling just short of booking his spot at a prestigious Wimbledon tournament, writes Chris Bailey.

The 12-year-old has long been known as one to watch for the future and was in action at the HSBC Road to Wimbledon South West Regional Qualifier at East Glos Club in Gloucestershire.

Miller was playing for a spot at next month’s HSBC Road to Wimbledon 14 & Under Challenge at the All England Club but couldn’t find a way past No.3 seed Pierce Widdecombe.

But despite falling short of the famous SW19 this time Miller, who trains at Virgin Active Gloucester, is adamant we haven’t seen the last of him.

"It was always going to be tough," said Miller, a pupil at Cirencester Kingshill School.

"My opponent was a year older than me and was the No.3 seed. I thought I did pretty well.

“I’m going to a Spanish tennis academy in Sotogrande, I go every year for a camp and it helps a lot with different surfaces.

“This was my first time on grass and much different from what I’m used to, but hopefully in the next two years I can come back and get to Wimbledon.”

The HSBC Road to Wimbledon National 14 & Under Challenge is the UK's largest national junior grass court tournament and forms part of HSBC’s investment in the stars of the future.