“It gives me a lot of strength”- Ryan Peniston opens up on cancer battle after becoming the king of Queen’s on his big stage debut
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Ryan Peniston
In what was the Brit’s ATP Tour debut, Ryan Peniston stunned world No. 5 Casper Ruud 7-6(4) 7-6(2) in the first round at Queen’s on Tuesday, earning the biggest win of his career. The world No 180 was also named as one of the recipients of a Wimbledon main draw wildcard while on the court, and he has now opened up about overcoming cancer to reach his sporting aspirations.
In his first tour-level match, Peniston drew the strongest possible opponent, yet he pulled off a surprising upset over the top seed and previous French Open finalist and was also named as one of Wimbledon’s wildcard recipients. The 26-year-old opened up about what it felt like to cross off one of his long-term objectives after overcoming cancer as a child after the best two hours of his tennis career.
“I hope they’re proud, I hope that I made them proud”- Ryan Peniston
“I don’t remember tons of it which is I guess a good thing,” Ryan Peniston admitted. “So when I was a one-year-old I was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma. I went into hospital and had to have chemotherapy and then surgery and then more chemotherapy, it lasted about 18 months.” While Peniston was too young to recall what happened to him, he admitted it would have been tough on the rest of his family. “It was definitely a difficult start to my life, I don’t remember much but from my parents and my brothers it must have been a pretty tough time, “ the Southend native thanked the doctors and nurses who helped him get through the ordeal, and reflected on how much it would mean to his parents to watch him win his first Grand Slam tournament at home.
“I hope they’re proud, I hope that I made them proud,” he said. “I’m sure it will be a little bit emotional for them, for me as well, but just hope that I made them proud.” Peniston also confirmed he didn’t know he had been awarded a wildcard into Wimbledon until he came off court already on a high from his win over Ruud. He explained, “So I was told that there was a really good chance. It wasn’t a 100%, yes but it kind of was. But after I came off and then it was confirmed and it just feels amazing because I have this little list with goals I have and that’s top of my list, to play main draw Wimbledon. To find that out was pretty emotional.”
“There are a few other things on there that I want to achieve but I’m going to definitely make sure to enjoy them and not just cross them off and straightaway, write some new ones and get onto the next one. I think that’s a big part of enjoying the milestones and the journey as well so I’ll make sure to do that,” Ryan Peniston concluded.
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