Pippa Horn did herself and Norfolk tennis proud at Wimbledon on Saturday before bowing out in the first round of the Junior Singles.

The 15-year-old from West Harling was left to reflect on a tale of what might have been after losing to American Stephanie Nauta in two desperately tight sets.

Pippa had a total of four set points as she went head to head with a player ranked nearly 200 places higher in the world, but failed to convert them as she slipped to a 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (8-6) defeat on Court 10.

'It was a terrific match, and if a couple of points had gone Pippa's way she could have won the match in straight sets rather than losing it,' said her father Mike.

'There was a big crowd watching, including a number of people from Norfolk, and the most important thing to say is that she acquitted herself very well.

'Pippa didn't freeze on the big stage, she went out there and did herself proud. She performed beautifully but on the day her opponent won the key points, and you have to give her credit for that.'

The good news for Pippa is that she is young enough to play in the prestigious junior event for another two years. Having had more than her fair share of injury problems recently she required a wild card to compete this week but will be aiming to make it as of right in 2012.