Wimbledon 2019 – wildcard profile: A closer look at Britain’s James Ward

The 32-year-old made it to the third round in 2015, his best ever run at The Championships

The 32-year-old James Ward is one of the more familiar British names to be afforded a wildcard at Wimbledon.

He reached a career-high ranking of 89 in 2015, where he advanced to the third round of The Championships, but he is perhaps best known for the part he played in Great Britain’s Davis Cup success of the same year.

He triumphed in an epic encounter with John Isner in the first round: the American, famous for his marathon matches, was defeated by 15 games to 13 in the fifth set after initially taking a two-set lead.

Ward has failed to produce similar form of late, and was unable to progress beyond the first qualifying round at Roland Garros, losing in straight sets to German Oscar Otte. However, he made it to the round-of-16 stage in his subsequent outing at the Surbiton Trophy, defeating fellow Wimbledon wildcard recipient Paul Jubb along the way.

He lost at Queen’s Club in the first round, but took a set off world No 38 Gilles Simon. This represents reasonable form on grass heading into The Championships, and Ward will be hopeful of progressing beyond the first round for only the second time since 2012.

Best Wimbledon finish: Third round, 2015 (defeat in five sets to Canada’s Vasek Pospisil)

Grand Slam best: As above. Ward has enjoyed his greatest success at Wimbledon, with his best slam performances elsewhere coming in round of 128 appearances at the 2015 US and Australian Opens.

Highest ranking: Ward peaked at world No 89 following his progress in Wimbledon.

Current Ranking: 212

Age: 32

How did he perform last year? Ward had to go through qualifying at Wimbledon last year, and exited in the third qualifying round with a four-set defeat to French player Benjamin Bonzi.