OXFORDSHIRE teenager Matilda Mutavdzic has been crowned the Lawn Tennis Association’s (LTA) junior player of the year.

The 17-year-old reached the third round of the junior singles at this year’s Wimbledon, adding to further success over the last 18 months.

In September, she collected more than £10,000 after winning the ITF Pro title in Spain, having entered unseeded.

She also reached the third round at the junior Roland Garros and reached the quarter finals at the junior Orange Bowl championship.

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Mutavdzic also finished as runner-up in the girls’ doubles at the Australian Open, alongside Slovenia’s Ziva Falkner.

The teenager said: “These are all meaningful achievements and I would definitely classify them as the highlights of my 2020 tennis year, along achieving straight A+ on all of my A-level mock exams, which I’m hoping to finish a year early.

“My goal is to work towards transitioning into the women’s game and pro level, and developing my game.

“However, as I have two years left in the junior circuit, I will give my utmost to win junior Grand Slam titles.

“I would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to the LTA for their continuous support and mentoring on this challenging but exciting journey.”

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Mutavdzic was announced as the LTA’s junior player of the year during a virtual awards ceremony presented by Great Britain’s Davis Cup captain Leon Smith.

Mutavdzic went down in three sets against Germany’s Nastasja Mariana Schunk at SW19, while achieving a career high singles ranking of number 20 earlier in the year.

The LTA Tennis Awards are now in their sixth year.

LTA president David Rawlinson said: “The LTA Tennis Awards are a real celebration of the people that make our sport thrive.

“They celebrate the achievements made by outstanding volunteers, coaches, officials, venues and players, who are all vital in helping us to grow the game.

“The past year has been challenging for everyone, but to see the tremendous positive contributions the nominees have made to the sport and to their communities has been tremendously uplifting.”

British number one Dan Evans and wheelchair ace Alfie Hewett – who claimed a fourth men’s doubles Wimbledon title with Gordon Reid – were the joint recipient of the men’s player of the year award, while Heather Watson scooped the women’s prize.

To find out more information about the LTA Tennis Awards or for information on how to play, coach, volunteer or officiate in tennis, visit: lta.org.uk