EMILY WEBLEY-SMITH wept with joy after finding out she was handed a wildcard to play in the main singles draw at Wimbledon.

The Thornbury ace is set to make her first appearance in five years at the All England Club next week and play her first singles match there since 2004, when she reached the second round.

A number of injuries have blighted the 26-year-old’s career, but she has jumped over 200 places in the WTA rankings since the turn of the year and moved into the top 250 for the first time in her career last month.

That meant she met the minimum criteria for the Lawn Tennis Association to recommend her as a wildcard to the All England Club, who announced her place in the draw last week.

However, Webley-Smith did not take anything for granted and told the Gazette about her emotional reaction after she was told the news.

“I burst into tears because it means so much to me,” she said.

“It’s been a long five years since I played in the main draw there and I can’t wait to get back on the court.

“I’ve had comebacks at various times and got close but I’ve stayed healthy for seven months in a row and that made the difference.

“I am unbelievably excited about playing there.”

Webley-Smith insists she never stopped believing that she would return to Wimbledon one day.

“I think I always believed that I would otherwise there wouldn’t be any point trying,” said the Almondsbury Tennis Club product.

“When your confidence is being brought down by injury it makes you question everything.

“It’s the most special place in the world to play tennis. To be given the opportunity to play there is a privilege and I would like to thank the All England Club.”

Webley-Smith will be in action on either Monday or Tuesday, with the draw set to be made tomorrow.

As an unseeded player she could come up against anyone in the first round, including defending champion Serena Williams, and she hopes to fulfil her lifelong ambition of playing on the Centre Court.

Asked who she would like to face, Webley-Smith said: “The champion on the first day on Centre Court wouldn’t be bad.

“I would love to play on Centre Court, it’s been a dream since I was little, and if I play a seed there will be more chance of that.

“I think I can beat a lot of the girls in the draw but it’s not in my hands.”

Webley-Smith will head into Wimbledon full of confidence, saying 2011 is “without doubt” the best year of her career so far.

She has spent most of her time touring Australia and Asia, and in April she reached her first final in a $50,000 singles tournament in Gifu before losing to Japan’s Sachie Ishizu.

“That experience, learning what I have and being on my own has made me a lot stronger as a person and player,” said Webley-Smith.

“This year I’ve been very consistent with my results. I’m gradually improving week by week, day by day.”

Webley-Smith will have Erwan Nicolas in her corner at Wimbledon after he started coaching her three weeks ago and will also be supported by her parents.

She said: “I’ve been away for seven months so it’s the first time they will have seen me play for a long time.

“It will be lovely to have some support and to play in England with the English crowd behind me.”

Emily Webley-Smith factfile:

* Born on July 14, 1984 in Thornbury

* Played in her first junior ITF tournament in February 1998

* Played her first senior match on the ITF tour in October 1999

*Given wildcard into main Wimbledon draw in 2004 and reached the second round, beating Severine Beltrame in straight sets before losing to No31 seed Amy Frazier 2-6, 6-3, 6-8.

* Won her first senior singles title in March 2009 at a $10,000 tournament in Las Palmas.

* Won $10,000 singles and doubles tournaments in New Delhi in August 2009

* Career High WTA Singles Ranking: 241 (May 2011)

Keep up-to-date with Emily’s progress at Wimbledon, including tomorrow's draw, on this website