Ex-coach on Flanagan's promise

By Joanne Gallacher BBC Wales News Online reporter

Tennis coach John Hicks first saw Ian play aged six Flanagan adds Hanescu scalp

Ian Flanagan's stunning win over 2003 Wimbledon finalist Mark Philippoussis at Queen's Club on Wednesday, rocked the tennis world.

The biggest upset in the sport for some time, brought a wry smile to one man in particular - Flanagan's former Wrexham tennis coach John Hicks.

He trained the former Ysgol Brynhyfryd pupil when he joined the North Wales Regional Tennis Centre at the tender age of six.

And even then, Mr Hicks says his potential was obvious.

"I've always known that he was capable of this sort of tennis but he's been a slight boy, a good athlete but quite light and now he's getting stronger," he said on Thursday.

Ian has always been a gifted little athlete, very, very good hands nothing on the tennis court is impossible for Ian John Hicks

"He's 22 now and he's getting stronger physically and more importantly he's getting stronger mentally.

"I think with this behind him he might go on to become quite a meaningful player, it's difficult there are so many good players around now."

John Hicks - former Great Britain coach who now runs full-time tennis training in Wrexham - said he saw something in Ian when he first came to a mini tournament as a six year old.

"Ian has always been a gifted little athlete, very, very good hands - nothing on the tennis court is impossible for him.

"You can always see the timing, the movement, the natural ability and with Ian he always had bright eyes, he was a bubbly little character and always knew he was good.

"I worked with him on a mini tennis court from the age of six and at under 12 he was the best player in Great Britain.

"Around the age of 12 he beat Lopez from Spain who is now top 20 in the world, he's beaten good players all his life."

Currently ranked 866, Ian's success on Tuesday is perhaps even more of an achievement because he laid law for two years with glandular fever.

Speaking after his victory on Wednesday, he paid tribute to the support of his parents - Sheila and George from Mold - during that time.

"My dad was watching today but my mother is superstitious and didn't want to come after I had qualified," he said.

Mr Hicks, who knows the family well said he often sees them in Wrexham.

"I know George and Sheila Flanagan very, very well indeed, they come here on a regular basis," he said.

"Ian plays here many times too and we're always talking about him.

Ronnie O'Sullivan

"They [his parents] have been totally committed to his development and still are, they will travel everywhere to watch him and his well being and performance is their first thought."

And the future for Ian, who now trains in Nottingham, is set to become even stronger, according to Mr Hicks.

"He's always considered himself a top class player, he loses a little faith occasionally, all players do but Ian's come through that and now he's starting to perform," he added.

"I think that has a lot to with his friends who are top class performers, Andy Roddick - a personal friend of his, he's very friendly with Willie Thorne and Ronnie O'Sullivan.

"I think he's seen how they work and how they've got to the top and that's inspiring him."

Flanagan continued to make the headlines on Wednesday, with a win over Romania's world number 78 Victor Hanescu to reach the third round.

Meanwhile, the tennis coach will continues to keep a watchful eye on his prodigy's career and use his example to inspire Wrexham's next generation of tennis champs.