Richmond schoolboy Oliver Golding has set his sights on Wimbledon glory after having a taste of the professional ranks at Eastbourne this weekend.

The 15-year-old slipped to a straight-sets 6-2, 6-2 defeat to fellow Brit Joshua Milton in the first qualifying round of the Aegon International.

Golding, who is studying for his A levels after taking his GCSEs two years early, found the going tough against the world number 691.

But Britain's number four junior, a former child actor, insists he is determined to qualify for the showpiece grand slam for the first time at the Bank of England sports club in Roehampton next week.

“I have never played Wimbledon before so to play there would be unbelievable,” said Golding, who is coached by Otto Buchholdt.

“It’s the biggest tournament in the world and I would love to be a part of it.

“I only live 10 minutes down the road from Wimbledon so I’ve been to watch loads of times and I can’t wait to hopefully play there and play well.

“I have got a Spanish A-level coming up in a few weeks as well so I’m going to have to try to fit some revision in around my tennis.

“If everything goes to plan at least I’ll be able to chat to Rafael Nadal and get some tips!”

Golding has been in sparking form this season, winning an ITF junior singles title in Vasteras, Sweden as well as finishing runner-up in Budapest, Hungary.

But he insists success on home soil would taste so much sweeter and he has vowed to bounce back from his defeat to Milton to kick-start his grass-court season.

“I didn’t think I played great,” he added. “It’s the first tournament of this size that I’ve ever played and I was a bit nervous going into it.

“I eventually found my feet and stated to play some good tennis but by then it was too little too late.

“I need to play at more of these sorts of events and build on my experience.

"I’m in the transition stage when I’m playing a lot of junior events and a few senior events, and it’s going pretty well so far.

“Playing against quality opposition is really helping me progress and helping my game.”

Leading life assurance and pensions company AEGON is lead partner of British Tennis and is backing the sport at all levels, from grassroots to world-class tennis events. For tickets and further information visit lta.org.uk