Wimbledon star Golding selected for Youth Olympics

By Sportsbeat staff

 OLIVER Golding said his run to the Wimbledon's boy's singles semi-finals was just the start - and he's already got another chance to prove his potential.

POTENTIAL: Tennis teen Oliver Goulding - who reached the junior Wimbledon semi-finals - has been named in Great Britain's Youth Olympics team (Action Images)

Golding claimed the scalps of the world number one, nine and 14 before going down in straight sets to Australia's Benjamin Mitchell in the last four at the All England Club.

He will now prepare for the junior US Open championships in Singapore, after being named in Great Britain's 40-strong team for the first-ever Youth Olympic Games next month.

"Being selected for the Youth Olympic Games means a lot to me and will be a stepping stone for the future," said the 16-year old.

"Representing your country is a great honour and I am very happy to be able to do it at junior level and would love to do it at senior level in the future.  

"I've had a couple of good weeks recently, particularly at Wimbledon, and I hope to continue my good form with Team GB in Singapore. I am looking forward to being part of Team GB, as I always play well in a team environment.

"Playing in front of a home crowd at the London 2012 Olympics is one of my goals for the next couple years and the experience gained at the Youth Olympic Games will be of great benefit to me going forwards."

However, former Wimbledon junior champion Laura Robson - who was eligible for selection to travel to Singapore, with the Games designed for athletes aged between 14 and 18 - will not travel.

She has already stated her desire to make the move from junior to senior tennis - and will be focussed on competing on the US hard court season ahead of qualifying for the final Grand Slam of the season at Flushing Meadow.

 Lloyds TSB, proud partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and supporter of Team GB on their journey to the 2010 Singapore Youth Olympic Games.  Visit LloydsTSB.com/London2012 

National sports agency Sportsbeat and morethanthegames.com will be reporting from the Singapore and syndicating words and pictures to their network of regional and local newspapers across Great Britain.