Harriet Dart believes the buzzing British tennis scene has never been in a better place after storming into the quarter-finals against Marta Kostyuk at the LTA's Rothesay International in Eastbourne.
The Hampstead ace, who is on the LTA's Pro Scholarship Programme – the highest level of support for players aged 16-24 – toppled Ukrainian Kostyuk 6-4 2-6 6-4 on Wednesday evening to extend the home contingent’s brilliant run of results on the south coast.
Jack Draper, Katie Boulter, Ryan Peniston and Jodie Burrage have all impressed on the grass this season and Dart, the world No.103, says she’s loving the camaraderie as she embarks on another run deep in Sussex.
Asked about the bond between the young British contingent, the 25-year-old said: “It's huge.
Next stop ➡️ Quarter-finals
— LTA (@the_LTA) June 22, 2022
Best EVER result at a @WTA tournament#BackTheBrits 🇬🇧 | #RothesayInternational pic.twitter.com/I78rMirTih
“I really feel that British tennis is in such a good place. You have seen this week some of the girls have been doing so well.
“Obviously, the boys too, but you keep a closer eye on the girl just around me, but it shows if they can do it, we can do it.
“We all practice at the same venue. Practice together. We all put the hard yards in. It is just nice to see everyone being rewarded.
“I’m in good shape, and I’m feeling good physically.
“I’ve put in a lot of miles into the tank and put a lot of work in, so I am feeling good physically.
“These last few weeks building up to Wimbledon, I’ve just been trying to get as many games in as possible.
“Then you see some big results happening with the Brits, and it’s great to see, and it shows you that anybody can play on any given day and that you have to be at 100 per cent; otherwise, you’ll be taken out.”
Dart beat Madison Brengle and Jil Teichmann to navigate her way to the last 16 in Eastbourne.
And she continued that momentum in style against Kostyuk, ranked 24 places above her, to power into the quarter-finals.
Dart will now face two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, 32, on Thursday and the Londoner added: “I’m glad to be leaving this place before dark; that is definitely a real positive.
“It’s just it sounds silly, but I do everything pretty much the same, so I’ll probably be getting food from an Italian restaurant.
“I know it’s always the same, but it works."
For the latest action on the British summer grass court season, check out the LTA Website
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