Wolves team welcome Wimbledon champion Henry Searle
The 17-year-old has been at Compton Park meeting players and staff.
After his Wimbledon victory, Henry Searle has been congratulated by players and staff at Wolves.
The 2023 Wimbledon boys’ singles champion - who's also a lifelong Old Gold supporter - visited Compton Park to celebrate his victory.
17-year-old Henry – who was part of Wolves Academy as a child – became the first British winner of the boys’ championship in more than 60 years as he raced to the title in straight sets.
He was invited to watch Wolves’ men’s first-team in training on Tuesday as head coach Julen Lopetegui put his players through their paces as part of their pre-season preparations.
Searle told wolves.co.uk. “It was pretty inspiring. To see that I’ve been recognised by someone like Julen was a big push before the final.
“I’ve been a Wolves supporter ever since I was a little kid. I’ve always tried to get to as many games as possible and watch as many home games as I can when I’m back. I love the Molineux.
“It’s been pretty cool and pretty exciting to come here and meet a few of the players and watch them train.
“I played as a left-winger in the academy when I was younger, but I was a little bit better at tennis than I was at football at the time of choosing between the two, but I think I’ve made the right decision!
“But it was great to come and see all these guys training and hopefully I can come back soon.”
After being given a tour of the Compton Park training ground, Searle and his guests watched training and was also introduced to the players as he showed off his trophy and chatted to members of the first-team squad and staff.
Lopetegui said: “We were really pleased to welcome Henry and his family to one of our training sessions at Compton following his incredible win at Wimbledon.
“We watched the final together as a group on Sunday afternoon and we were delighted that he won the junior boys’ title. Everyone at the club and across Wolverhampton are very proud of his achievement.
“Henry is part of the pack, so it was an honour for us as staff and players that we had a chance to celebrate his success with him and his family, as he joined us this week with the trophy.
“On behalf of everyone at Wolves, we wish Henry the very best for his career and will be following his progress with great interest.”
Searle started playing tennis as a three-year-old, where he progressed through the Newbridge Lawn Tennis & Squash Club – located next door to Wolves’ training ground.