A Davis Cup player and former British No.1, Wilkinson was always most comfortable in front of home crowds and always seemed to produce his best tennis at the British grass court events.
The playing highlight of his career probably came in 1993 when he beat eventual Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic at the Stella Artois Championships at Londonâs Queenâs Club, and reached the third round at Wimbledon on four occasions.
In 1993, three years before Tim Henman burst on the Wimbledon scene, Wilkinson was one of a brigade of British players who performed well at the All England Club. Chris Bailey memorably held match point against Ivanisevic before losing in five sets, Andrew Foster reached the last 16, and Wilkinson made the headlines in tabloid newspapers ahead of his third round clash with Stefan Edberg.
Although Wilkinson managed to break the former championâs serve on numerous occasions, Edberg won in three close sets. But the British hero collected a couple of other notable Swedish scalps on the lawns of SW19, beating Anders Jarryd in 1996 and Jonas Bjorkman a year later.
Still based in Southampton, where he once showed promise as a footballer in the Saintsâ youth team alongside a certain Alan Shearer, Wilkinson is now the Director of Tennis at the Lee-on-the-Solent Tennis Squash and Fitness Club.
My Favourite....
Film: Jerry Maguire
Book: Schindlers Arc (Schindlers List)
Song: Oh when the Saints go marching in
Meal: Bangers and Mash
Luxury Item: Decent Champagne and Wine
My Ideal Dinner Guests
Matt Le Tissier
Alan Shearer
Kylie Minogue
Catherine Zeta Jones
Liz Hurley
Cameron Diaz
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