New British No 9 Oliver Crawford has insisted he did not change nationality for a Wimbledon wildcard as he kept the Union Jack flying in Australian Open qualifying. The world No 213 from South Carolina, whose parents are from Birmingham, switched to represent Great Britain earlier this month.
The former University of Florida star beat Italian ace Francesco Passaro 6-4 6-7 6-4 to move to within one win of reaching his first Grand Slam main draw. “It felt good to come through in the third,” he said.
Crawford will now be eligible for a Wimbledon wildcard. But he denied that was the motivation for his switch as he added: “It’s not the case whatsoever. I’ve always believed in backing myself and one tournament a year is not going to make your career.”
And the star, who has a strong American accent, added: “My parents are from Birmingham, born and raised. My whole family is over there. It’s only my parents and my immediate family that’s in the States.”
