Hackney People
Anne Keothavong
As Wimbledon, the biggest tennis tournament in the world, approaches, British number one Anne Keothavong is ready.
Born and bred in Hackney, Anne was raised by her parents, who emigrated to the UK from Laos. It was at a very young age, playing short tennis with her older brother, that her love for the game began.
“My parents introduced me to tennis to give me something to do,” says Anne, who is the second of four children. I started playing short tennis at fourand-a-half with my older brother at the Michael Sobell Centre in Islington, before moving on to lawn tennis when I was seven. I really enjoyed it.”
She attended Kingsland High School – which was on the site of what is now the Petchey Academy – and throughout her school life continued to play the sport she loved, practising in her favourite place, Clissold Park, and aspiring to her idol, former world number one Monica Seles.
Anne won a string of junior and senior nationals, and then, in 2001, she got her first real taste of success, winning her first professional tournament, and impressing the crowds with her right-handed forehand and double-handed backhand shots. In the same year she received a wildcard entry into Wimbledon and steadily rose through the ranks. She recalls her feelings about playing at this prestigious event for the first time.
“It’s very exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time. It still is. It’s such a big tournament and an important place for British players that we all want to do well. It’s the biggest tournament in the world and, as a British player competing there, it’s the most important one.”
With the support of her family, Anne continues to travel the world, playing in championships and tournaments. But when she’s looking for a place to relax, there’s nothing better than returning to her home town of Hackney to chill with her friends and family.
“I love going to the park. I enjoy hanging out on a nice sunny day,” says Anne. “I view myself as a Londoner and I’ve noticed a lot of changes since I was growing up. I think London as a whole has changed, the place is developing and there seems to be a lot more going on.”
Currently ranked 49 in the world, Anne copes with the pressure of the ups and downs of the game by focusing on her performance. Being ambitious, her strong family influence, and Hackney roots, help her to see any challenges as a positive. Her goal now is climbing up the ranks. A good fortnight at Wimbledon this year will ensure that she does that.
Curriculum Vitae
- 1983 Born in Hackney
- 1988 Shacklewell Primary School
- 1994 Kingsland High School
- 2001 First played at Wimbledon
- 2008 Loses to Venus Williams in second round of Wimbledon. Reaches third round of US Open. LTA Female Player of the Year
- 2009 The Wimbledon singles 2009 start on 22 June
More information
Visit: www.wimbledon.org or see: www.annekeothavong.co.uk
Page updated: 15 Jun 2010
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