Forget Hen or Murraymania . . . it could be Wardmania at Wimbledon in the future.

Whetstone-based James Ward is waiting to see if he has done enough to receive a wildcard for this month's All England Championships.

The 22-year-old's stirring performance during The Artois Championship at Queen's this week has put him in the frame to receive one of three wildcards still up for grabs.

Even if it does not happen this year, Ward, a member of Oakleigh Park Tennis Club, appears to have a bright future in the sport.His battling performance against former world number one Marat Safin had everyone talking.

Ward, in front of a packed centre court, took the opening set, but could not quite finish the job against the two-time Grand Slam champion.

Though he took the first set 6-4, the Russian came back to win the final two sets, 6-1, 6-4.

Ward is hoping the match of his career to date spurs him on to even greater things.

"I knew I could play at that level, but I don't think I played to my best either," he said.

"I definitely had chances. Even in the third set, I had him at Love 40 in one game."

Ward, who had to qualify for The Artois Championship, is currently ranked 495 in the world.

His only previous experience at this level came two years ago when he received a wildcard into the clay court tournament in Valencia, courtesy of his connections at the Juan Carlos Ferrero Academy in Spain where he lived and trained for four years.

Ward, who was brought up in Hendon, began his tennis career at the age of 11 under Oakleigh Park Tennis Club head coach Daren Quilty.

He remained under Quilty's wing for five years before moving to Spain.

Ward, who still plays for Oakleigh Park whenever he can, has set himself a target of reaching the top 100 within a couple of years.

A club spokesperson at Oakleigh Park said: "All the members are thrilled to see such a likeable young man achieve the success that all his dedication and hard work so deserves."