Wolves welcomed the 2023 Wimbledon boys’ singles champion and Old Gold supporter Henry Searle to Compton Park this week as the club celebrated the stunning achievement of one of its pack.
The 17-year-old Wolverhampton native – 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 without dropping a set.
Searle was invited 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 for the 2023/24 Premier League campaign.
Ahead of the Wimbledon final, which Searle won 6-4 6-4 over fifth seed Yaroslav Demin, Lopetegui recorded a good luck message for the teenager, which the former St Peter’s Collegiate Academy pupil admitted inspired him to victory.
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.”
