Hannah Klugman, a 16-year-old tennis prodigy from Great Britain, has made history by reaching the girls’ singles final at the 2025 Roland Garros tournament. This remarkable achievement marks the first time a British player has reached this stage in nearly half a century, since Michelle Tyler’s victory in 1976. Klugman’s journey to the final has been nothing short of spectacular, filled with grit, determination, and a growing belief in her abilities on the red clay of Paris.
A Star is Rising: Klugman’s Road to Roland Garros Glory
Klugman’s path to the final wasn’t easy. In her semi-final match, she faced a tough challenge against 18-year-old Bulgarian Rositsa Dencheva. After a shaky start, losing the first set 1-6, Klugman demonstrated remarkable resilience, battling back to win the next two sets 6-3, 6-3. Overcoming her initial struggles, she found her rhythm and capitalized on crucial moments. “I’m just a bit shocked, to be honest,” Klugman admitted after the match. “I wasn’t playing my best and I found it tough to get myself into the match. I felt like as soon as I did that I was in a good space and I thought I could do well if I got into the match.”
In the final, Klugman is set to face Austria’s Lilli Tagger. The young Brit is not only playing for a Grand Slam title but also for the chance to emulate Michelle Tyler’s historic victory, adding an extra layer of significance to the match.
Klugman’s Perspective
Klugman’s maturity and level-headedness have impressed many. Reflecting on her mental approach during the tournament, she shared, “I think I’ve been mentally very good this week. I think I’m staying calm in big moments, and also just trying to take it in. These moments don’t happen a lot, so trying to enjoy it is a big part.” She also acknowledged the support of her coach and physio, who encouraged her to embrace the experience. “My coach and physio are basically saying go out there and enjoy it because you might never be in the spot again.”
From Wimbledon Village to the Parisian Clay: Klugman’s Background
Born in Kingston-upon-Thames on February 18, 2009, Hannah Klugman was raised in Wimbledon Village, a place that undoubtedly fueled her tennis dreams. Introduced to the sport at the Westside Club, Klugman’s early development was guided by Alison Taylor, the wife of former Wimbledon semi-finalist Roger Taylor. From the age of nine, she has been training with Ben Haran at Reeds Tennis School in Cobham, the same coach who has worked with British tennis stars Jack Draper and Dan Evans.
Growing up as the youngest of four girls, Klugman was inspired to pick up a racquet by her older sisters. Before fully committing to tennis, she participated in various sports, including field hockey, netball, swimming, and running. However, following the COVID-19 lockdown, she decided to focus solely on tennis, a decision that has clearly paid off. While she initially intended to stay at Wimbledon High School to complete her GCSEs, she later transitioned to online learning to accommodate her burgeoning tennis career.
Klugman’s parents, Robert and Libby Klugman, have been instrumental in her journey, providing unwavering support from day one. Her mother, Libby, is an Oxford University graduate who has worked at ABN AMRO, a financial services company. The Klugman family’s sporting talent extends beyond Hannah, with one of her sisters, Alice, representing England in field hockey at the U18 level. Hannah’s love for tennis began early, playing against a wall or with her mother, while her sisters competed at their local club.
A Budding Career: Key Moments and Achievements
Klugman’s tennis journey has been marked by several significant milestones:
- Early Success: Klugman made her debut on the ITF junior circuit in March 2022 at the J3 event in Loughborough, which she won. At 13 years and one month, she became the youngest British winner of a J3 event or above, surpassing Emma Raducanu’s earlier achievement.
- National Recognition: In April 2023, she won the LTA Junior National Championships under-16 girls’ singles, defeating Mika Stojsavljevic.
- Grand Slam Debut: At the age of 14, Klugman recorded her first career win in a junior singles Grand Slam event at the 2023 Wimbledon Championships, defeating Italian Federica Urgesi.
- Doubles Prowess: She reached the final of the girls’ doubles event at the 2023 Wimbledon Championships with teammate Isabelle Lacy.
- Orange Bowl Champion: In December 2023, Klugman won the prestigious Under-18 Orange Bowl, a de facto world championship for junior tennis.
- Australian Open Finalist: In January 2025, she reached the final of the girls’ doubles at the Australian Open alongside Emerson Jones.
- French Open Breakthrough: Reaching the final of the girls’ singles at the 2025 French Open, becoming the first British junior Grand Slam finalist at the French Open since 1976.
Clay Court Confidence: Klugman’s Affinity for Roland Garros
Despite the common perception that British players favor grass courts, Klugman has expressed a strong preference for clay. “Everyone says the Brits don’t like the clay. But I actually really like it!” she told Tennis Channel. “I think it really suits my game. Me and my coach this year, we said let’s do a long bloc on clay. We’ve done two months and I’m really loving it. I’m not ready to get off yet and go to grass.” She also stated, “This was the first [junior] Grand Slam that I qualified for [in 2023] and I’d never got past the second round, so this is several steps up. It’s always been the one I’ve wanted to do well in, I find that I love clay. A lot of Brits struggle on the clay, but I love it. I just want to see how far I can go.”
Channeling Nadal’s Wisdom
Klugman had the opportunity to practice at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca earlier this year, where she received invaluable advice from the 14-time Roland Garros champion himself. “We were just hitting and he popped out. I didn’t see him [at first] but as soon as I saw him I thought, ‘Oh my God, I’m so tight!’ I went and sat down and we all chatted,” Klugman recounted. “He said to me, once you have the level, things will come, so trust the hard work, the process. If you’re not having results right now, you have to keep believing.” This wisdom has clearly resonated with Klugman, who channeled Nadal’s warrior spirit in her quarter-final comeback win.
Support from Fellow Players
As Klugman navigates the challenges of rising in the tennis world, she has found support from fellow British player Jack Draper. Draper, currently ranked No. 5 in the world, had lunch with Klugman earlier this year and offered guidance and encouragement. “We go through a lot of mentally tough times. Last year, I kind of struggled a bit. He spoke to me a lot,” Klugman shared. “He had a time when he also struggled. He really helped me and he’s been someone who’s always there. He said to me, ‘whenever you need help, I’m here for you.’ That was really nice.”
Klugman is also part of a tight-knit group of young British players, including Mika Stojsavljevic and Mingge “Mimi” Xu, who provide each other with support and competition. “We’ve got an amazing bunch of juniors right now. We definitely push each other to be better,” she says.
Eyes on the Future
With her Roland Garros final appearance, Hannah Klugman has firmly established herself as one of the most promising young talents in British tennis. Her combination of skill, mental fortitude, and passion for the game suggests a bright future ahead. Whether she wins or loses the final, this experience will undoubtedly serve as a valuable stepping stone in her journey to becoming a top professional player. As she continues to develop her game and gain experience, Klugman has the potential to achieve great things and inspire a new generation of British tennis players.
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