SOUTHAMPTON tennis star Gabi Taylor will make her Wimbledon debut in two weeks’ time after being awarded a wildcard by the All England Club.

The 20 year-old, who grew up in Shirley, will be playing in the main draw of a Grand Slam for the first time on July 2/3.

Her first-round opponent will be revealed on June 29.

Currently ranked 181 in the world, Taylor has risen 142 places in the last six months.

She was included in GB’s Fed Cup team for the first time earlier this year and beat British No 2 Heather Watson in the Surbiton Trophy earlier this month.

Ukrainian teenager Dayana Yastremska, the world No. 151, beat her 6-1, 6-3 in the first round of the Ilkley Trophy on Tuesday.

Taylor has one more tournament before her Grand Slam debut on July 2/3.

She told the Daily Echo: "I'm hoping to have a wildcard for the Southsea Trophy (June 26-29), otherwise I may play at Eastbourne."

The former Shirley Junior schoolgirl is one of six British girls handed wildcards.

Harriet Dart (No. 190) and Katy Dunne (no. 177) will also make their main-draw debuts alongside Katie Boulter (no. 139) , Katie Swan (no.206) and Naomi Broady (no.129).

Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur, who became the first Arab woman to reach the third round of a Grand Slam at the French Open, has also been awarded a wildcard.

A life-changing £39,000 windfall is awarded to all first-round losers.