It was a week to remember for Welsh tennis sensation Mimi Xu, who electrified the home crowd at the Wrexham Tennis & Padel Centre by capturing both the singles and doubles titles at the inaugural Lexus Wrexham Open on October 26, 2025. The 18-year-old from Swansea delivered a career-defining performance, overcoming a field packed with rising British stars and international contenders, and in doing so, etched her name into the history books of Welsh sport.
Xu’s singles triumph came at the expense of 16-year-old Mika Stojsavljevic, a formidable opponent from London and the reigning US Open junior champion. In front of a capacity crowd of more than 600 spectators, Xu prevailed 6-3, 7-5 in an all-British final that showcased the burgeoning talent within the UK’s tennis ranks. The victory is set to propel Xu significantly up the world rankings, with live standings showing her leaping to 269th—a remarkable ascent for a player who, just months ago, was making her main draw debut at Wimbledon as the first Welsh player in two decades to do so.
“It’s honestly felt amazing,” Xu said, still basking in the glow of her achievement. “It’s been so good, the atmosphere, the crowd, the environment, I’ve loved every minute of it. I honestly have no words to describe how I feel at the moment.” According to Xu, the support from the crowd played a pivotal role in her success. “From my first walk out, I really felt the love, the support, the cheering, I’ve honestly felt like everyone’s been behind me and everyone’s really just willed me on throughout some tough moments, and also when I’ve been doing well, so they’ve really helped me get through this week.”
The singles final was a display of nerves and resilience. Stojsavljevic broke Xu’s serve in the opening game, but Xu responded emphatically, rattling off five consecutive games and breaking three times to surge ahead 5-1. She sealed the first set 6-3, but Stojsavljevic, who hadn’t dropped a set all tournament and was riding high after winning the Lexus GB Pro Series Birmingham the previous week, wasn’t going down without a fight. The second set was a tense affair, with Stojsavljevic saving seven break points and keeping herself in contention. But at 5-5, Xu found another gear, breaking for a 6-5 lead before serving out the match on her third match point to claim the biggest title of her young career.
“We had a tough one last week at Edgbaston and she got the better of me, but that’s why it’s so good to have so many of us young ones. Me, Mika and Hannah (Klugman), we push each other each day. Sometimes they’ll win, sometimes I’ll win, but that’s what makes us all better,” Xu reflected, highlighting the competitive camaraderie that’s fueling the next generation of British tennis.
Stojsavljevic, for her part, was gracious in defeat, acknowledging the physical toll of playing ten matches in ten days. “This is now my tenth match in a row in ten days or so, so I think physically I wasn’t there 100 percent today, but credit to Mimi, she played really great and I’m really happy for her. It was tough for me, but she did really well.” Despite the loss, Stojsavljevic’s own ranking has soared, jumping more than 200 places in the past fortnight to just outside the world’s top 350.
Xu’s day was far from over after her singles heroics. She returned to the court alongside 20-year-old Ella McDonald from Preston to contest the doubles final against Amarni Banks and Valentina Ryser of Switzerland. The British duo showcased impressive chemistry and control, prevailing 6-2, 6-4 and giving Xu her second trophy of the day. “Obviously it’s amazing to win it again, this time with Ella,” Xu said. “It feels honestly amazing. I’m a bit tired now, but it’s the biggest tournament I’ve won, singles and doubles in.”
The Lexus Wrexham Open, an ITF W100 event boasting a $100,000 prize pool, marks the highest-level women’s tennis tournament held in Wales since the Rover British Clay Court Championships in Cardiff back in 1996. Tournament director Richard Joyner of the LTA hailed the event as a landmark for British tennis: “We’ve had such a good week here in terms of the local community, the local businesses, volunteers coming on board, just the whole vibe and the general interest there’s been. Having a Welsh champion makes it extra special, but it’s been a very special week. The transition from Shrewsbury to Wrexham has been very seamless and the venue here has been fantastic with the staff working so hard.”
Joyner also emphasized the significance of the youth on display: “It’s very positive for British tennis with the age of the two singles finalists, with Mimi 18 and Mika 16. Both have a huge future in the game and are already playing to a very high level, while it was great to have two more Brits playing in the doubles final. We’ve had great crowds all week, a capacity crowd for the finals, a lot of support for the players, and I think everyone has really enjoyed themselves.”
For Xu, the victory in Wrexham was more than just a trophy—it was a personal milestone that brought her career full circle. “It feels a bit like a full circle moment if I’m being completely honest,” she said on court after lifting the trophy. “Back when I was younger, the biggest tournament in my head was Welsh Champions, and this was where I won my first Welsh Champions when I was eight and under, so to win my biggest title ever feels like a bit of a full circle moment.”
The atmosphere in Wrexham was electric, with not only a full house but also a DJ spinning tunes that spanned generations, adding a unique flavor to the event. Xu’s immediate celebration—rushing to hug her mother before preparing for the doubles final—offered a touching glimpse of the family support behind her success. It’s a reminder that, despite the pressures and spotlight, Xu remains grounded and connected to her roots.
As the dust settles on a historic week for Welsh tennis, Xu’s double triumph at the Lexus Wrexham Open signals the arrival of a new force on the women’s circuit. With her ranking soaring and confidence sky-high, the future looks bright for the Swansea teenager. And for the fans who packed the stands and cheered her every point, it was a week they won’t soon forget.
