ALEX de Minaur’s Wimbledon main draw dreams hang in the balance despite the star teenager rising to a career-high ranking with Nottingham Challenger victory.

De Minaur will climb to No 78 when the fresh rankings are issued today, a mark well inside Wimbledon’s direct entry cut-off.

But All England Club entries, as with all other tournaments, close six weeks before the tournament starts and he will now have to rely on either a wildcard or injuries to other players to get in without qualifying.

media_camera Alex De Minaur took out the title in Nottingham.

Such has been the 19-year-old’s progress over the past month, his late surge has not gone unnoticed by Wimbledon officials — and he might yet be granted a wildcard after supporting the third-tier British grass court circuit.

On current standings, de Minaur is two places out from direct inclusion — one behind James Duckworth.

Given the usual injury attrition rate, the pair is likely to gain promotion.

De Minaur is the first teenager since Nick Kyrgios in 2014 to snare a grass-court Challenger title after toppling Dan Evans in the Nature Valley Open.

De Minaur’s 7-6 (7-4) 7-5 success follows his elevation into the top 100 last week after reaching the Surbiton final.

media_camera Alex De Minaur’s form has surged in recent months.

The All England Club will distribute the first of its wildcards on Wednesday. As a former boy’s singles runner-up, the Sydneysider will have plenty of support.

But if he is stranded outside the main draw, he will contest Wimbledon qualifying next week.

John Millman qualified for the Fever-Tree Championships at Queen’s Club with a 6-3 6-3 margin over Romanian Marius Copil.

media_camera Alex De Minaur in Nottingham. the Aussie will be hoping for a wildcard or injuries to other players.

But Thanasi Kokkinakis bowed out to American veteran Tim Smyczek, falling 2-6 6-4 6-3.

Millman’s reward for qualifying is a tilt at former world No 1 and triple Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic.

Nick Kyrgios will face another former world No 1 and All England Club champion Andy Murray in the opening round.

Originally published as Alex eyes Wimbledon wildcard after win