After playing tennis for almost 10 years Kirkland’s Henrik Wiersholm has the game down. The 13-year-old recently headed to Europe to play in the AEGON Junior International tennis competition in England and the Les Petits As tournament in France.
Wiersholm, who lives and trains in Kirkland, qualified for the international competitions during a tournament in Boca Raton, Fla. late last year.
The AEGON tournament in England was held this week, with the matches in France beginning on Monday, Jan. 24. The tournament feature the top 14-and-under tennis players in the world, and eight from the American juniors field are on the trip.
Wiersholm said, from a hotel in England via the phone that this is his first tournament and trip overseas and that he was excited to see the way other players from different countries play the game.
“I think it’s going to be fun to see the competition,” he said. “It’s so different.”
His coach on the trip, USTA National coach Kent Kinnear, said he hopes that Wiersholm, and the others on the trip, compete to their potential.
“The big thing I want for them is to compete,” said Kinnear. “It’s hard not to be intimidated, but I hope they can play within themselves and play to their potential.”
Wiersholm was a singles and doubles finalist at the 2010 United States Tennis Association (USTA) Boys’ 14s national championships and won the singles and doubles titles in 2009 for his age group. Wiersholm is currently the No. 2 player for his age in the USTA standings, behind Stefan Kozlov, of Pembroke Pines, Fla.
Wiersholm said his main goal for the trip wasn’t necessarily about where he’d finish, but just about playing his game. He said he wanted to be able to compare his games to the things he’s been working on and hopes to see improvement.
Update: Wiersholm and Kozlov reached the singles final during the AEGON tournament in England and will face each other for the title on Friday, Jan. 21. Kozlov is the defending champion at the event, and has yet to lose a set during the tournament. Wiersholm, who was the No. 9 seed coming into the tournament, beat American teammate Francis Tiafoe in the semifinals.
