Ward needs the fare to become a tip for the top

When the list of players granted wildcard entries to Wimbledon is published, nobody will scan it with greater eagerness than the 21-year-old with bulging potential but an empty wallet.

In the first round of the Artois Championships at Queen's Club yesterday, Ward confirmed his potential by taking former world No1 and Grand Slam winner Marat Safin to three sets before the Russian's greater experience proved decisive.

In only his second ATP Tour event, towering Ward exhibited the serve, power and court craft that belied his ranking of 495 in the world.

Yet the £2,734 prize money he banked after battling through three qualifying rounds will not be enough to keep Ward in his chosen career after a near tragedy in his family effectively cut off a principle source of funding.

Jim Ward worked all hours behind the wheel of a black cab to finance, from the age of 16, his son's coaching at the acclaimed Juan Carlos Ferrero Academy near Valencia in Spain.

However, just over 18 months ago Jim was found to have a brain tumour and while, thankfully, he is now on the mend, Ward Snr can no longer offer the cash support required by a young player brought up near Euston.

Ward's world is not one of huge prize cheques, multi-million pound endorsements, courtesy cars and five-star hotel rooms enjoyed by French Open champion Rafael Nadal, who was set to play doubles at Queen's this evening.

Instead, Ward has to count every penny. For instance, imagine his dismay at a recent event in Bournemouth where his room-mate lost in the first round and checked out of their lodgings, leaving him to pick up the bill.

Ward said: "My father and mum, Tina, have given me a huge amount of support to achieve my dreams of breaking into the top 100 players in the world and representing Britain in the Davis Cup.

"However, the last year has been particularly difficult. I'm pleased to say my dad has recovered now but I do need some extra help."

Which is where a Wimbledon wildcard-would come in handy. It would mean Ward not having to go through qualifying and, instead, free him to seek more lucrative sport at the Slazenger Open in Nottingham.

Last week, Ward got in contact with the All England Club, self-promoting his case for a precious wildcard.

He said: "I don't think the LTA put my name forward so I told them who I was and what I've been doing. I know there's eight wildcards, so there's a chance."

Ward, eighth in the national rankings, hates begging for favours. Like Andy Murray, another product of Spanish coaching who was opening his singles challenge at Queen's today, he is unimpressed by some of the work ethic at the LTA's much-vaunted National Training Centre in Roehampton.

"A lot of people don't know what it takes to actually get to the top," said Ward. "I'm in the game to get to the top. I'm not in there to be around 250 in the world, just taking freebies off the Lawn Tennis Association."

Which is just as well because he is not receiving much from that direction.

"I don't want to say they're not helping me out at all," said Ward. "I'm supported a little by the LTA. They cover a few costs, but it's not everything.

"I'm not one to go and ask, anyway. I don't think I should have to. I try and let my tennis do the talking rather than beg. But I think they've seen this week that I've earned some help.

"I wasn't given a wildcard into the main Artois draw, I was given a wildcard into the qualifiers. I beat three good players ranked above me, so who knows for Wimbledon?"

Should the All England Club require a reference, maybe one submitted by Safin would suffice. The 28-year-old was visibly flustered at losing the first set, but recovered his composure to win 4-6, 6-1, 6-4.

He acknowledged Ward's abilities, saying: "He knows how to move around. It was a little bit uncomfortable to play against a guy who plays flat, serves well and knows what he's doing."

Meanwhile, Murray put in some overtime ahead of a testing second-round singles against Frenchman Sebastien Grosjean, who has twice reached the Artois final.