It took 28 years for Nicola Slater to make her debut at Wimbledon.

It took 1hr 53min. for the experience to end in defeat for the doubles player from Ayr.

Slater, though, was far from downhearted about losing to Alize Cornet and Pauline Parmentier with her partner Lisa Whybourn.

The Frenchwomen won 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 but Slater, who was last at Wimbledon as a 16-year-old spectator 12 years ago, was encouraged by much of what occurred on Court 5.

"I loved it. It was everything I expected, and more," she said. "We knew we were ready to go. It was tight and we had our chances."

Slater was keen to assess his form against top players and Wimbledon has afforded her that opportunity. "It's been a good gauge. It shows where I am at and it has proved I can hang with them," she said.

Slater has struggled financially to stay in the sport, regularly coaching while trying to compete but she has thrown herself into competition since a chat with Sarah Borwell, the English doubles specialist, convinced her to concentrate totally on tennis.

"It has always been a financial thing," said Slater, emphasising that she loves the sport and would only give it up it became unviable. "I have the funds to play for a couple of months March and April. I know I am capable and there are improvements I can make."