Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid followed up their history-making achievement in 2016 to become the first Brits to retain the Wimbledon men’s doubles wheelchair tennis title on Saturday at The Championships.

In a thrilling contest, Hewett and Reid defeated Rio Paralympic gold medallists Stephane Houdet and Nicolas Peifer of France in a final set tie-break for the second successive year, completing a glorious 6-7(5) 7-5, 7-6(3) victory after two hours and 55 minutes of sporting theatre on Court No.3.

“When the match goes like that and you win 7-6 in the third it makes it even more special,” said an emotional Hewett.

“The French had us in an absolute battle out there. There were never any easy points, which is what you expect against the Paralympic champions. We had to work for every single point.

“It’s amazing to have been on Court No.3. I don’t think wheelchair tennis has had that kind of coverage before and especially before the rain the stadium was absolutely packed out. When you get the coverage and the support like that and British winners, too, it hopefully makes more and more people want to get involved with the sport at all levels and engage with the Tennis Foundation’s expertise and resources to develop and promote the sport. “

A series of momentum shifts in the opening set saw Hewett and Reid reel off four games in succession for a 4-2 lead. Despite coming from 5-2 down in the eventual tie-break it was not quite enough and Houdet and Peifer snatched the lead.

Rain forced the players off court at deuce in the second game of the second set, but Hewett and Reid came out firing on all cylinders on the resumption, taking a 4-0 lead before eventually forcing the decider.

Hewett and Reid went a break up midway through the final set and both Brits served for the match before top seeds Houdet and Peifer managed take the contest to another tie-break.

However, Reid eventually forced the vital error with a drop shot and Peifer could not return the ball, giving the Brits back-to-to back Wimbledon titles.

“We were prepared for a hard match and that’s what we got, so it’s amazing to have retained the title,” said Rio Paralympic singles gold medallist Reid. “The crowd support out there all the way through was better than we could have hoped for. I just hope people will have seen the amazing standard of tennis out there and how much everyone here enjoyed it, as well as the people watching at home on TV, and that that can just continue to raise the profile of the sport and grow the sport as well, because it’s a fantastic sport.”

Photos courtesy of Tennis Foundation

Team Scotland has revealed an exciting five-day programme of events and celebrations which will be held around the country, to mark the visit of the Gold Coast 2018 Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR) on its global tour, ahead of next year’s Commonwealth Games in Australia.

In Scotland from 22-26 August 2017, the presence of the Baton will bring Gold Coast 2018 one step closer for athletes and supporters, as Team Scotland aims for its best ever medal haul at an overseas Games.

The Queen’s Baton Relay is a Games tradition that celebrates the Commonwealth’s diversity, inspires community pride and excites people about the world-class festival of sports and culture to come.

The Queen’s Baton carries a message from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II that calls the Commonwealth’s athletes to come together in peaceful and friendly competition.

Designed for each Games by the host nation, the 2018 Queen’s Baton has a distinctive loop design and has been made using macadamia wood and reclaimed plastic, sourced from Gold Coast waterways, and inspired by the region’s vibrant spirit and indigenous heritage.

With only five days in Scotland this year, compared to the hugely successful 42 day tour of the country in 2014 as Commonwealth Games hosts, the focus is on not just passing through, but spending quality time in each community it visits. The programme includes school and community events with a strong youth and sport theme, showcasing our rich heritage, links to Australia, The Commonwealth and a number of exciting Glasgow 2014 legacy projects.

Paul Bush OBE, Chair, Commonwealth Games Scotland said: “The Queen’s Baton Relay is an iconic symbol of the Commonwealth Games and we look forward to welcoming the Baton to Scotland next month. We have had tremendous enthusiasm and support from local authorities, schools and community groups across the country, helping to organize an exciting programme of events which will use the QBR to connect their communities with the Games and embrace the values of the Commonwealth movement as a whole.

“The public support Team Scotland enjoyed for Glasgow 2014 was phenomenal and I look forward to seeing that passion sparked once again, as the Baton’s journey through Scotland marks the final countdown to the 2018 Commonwealth Games. I hope everyone across the country will get behind the athletes vying for selection for the team and play their part in supporting them as they prepare to compete with distinction on the other side of the world next April.”

Preparing to compete in the 400m hurdles at the London 2017 World Athletics Championships next month, double Commonwealth Games silver medallist Eilidh Doyle said: “I can’t quite believe that the next Commonwealth Games is now only nine months away. Glasgow 2014 was amazing in every way and being the very first person to carry the Queen’s Baton when it crossed the border from England to Scotland was extremely special, particularly as it was handed to me by Daley Thompson.

“It will be fantastic to see the Gold Coast 2018 Baton in Scotland in August and it will certainly spur on all the athletes, including myself, to book their place on Team Scotland and on the plane to Gold Coast. Being part of Team Scotland is a unique experience and the only time we get to represent our country at a multi-sport Games. The public support means so much to us and certainly played a huge part in the Team’s success in Glasgow and it would be great if everyone can get behind Team Scotland once again.”

A summary of the programme is given below and includes a number of ‘open’ events each day which members of the public are encouraged to attend. Many events will also include the participation of past or current Team Scotland athletes and the attendance of the popular Glasgow 2014 and now Team Scotland mascot, Clyde.

PROGRAMME OVERVIEW

Tuesday 22 August – Glasgow

The QBR will arrive at Glasgow Airport and spend the first day visiting legacy projects and youth and community groups related to the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games including:

• Welcome to Scotland at the Glasgow School of Sport, Bellahouston Academy
• Commonwealth Games Village – Meet permanent residents of Team Scotland accommodation
• Cunigar Loop Woodland Park – Bike Town community group bike ride through the park*
• Emirates Arena – Schools participation event linked to the 2017 World Badminton Championships
• The Legacy Hub, Dalmarnock – local community event *
• University of Strathclyde Innovation Centre – Commonwealth Youth Leaders Conference
• George Square – Starting point of the Glasgow Commonwealth Walkway. *

Wednesday 23 August – Islay

The QBR will make its first ever visit to Islay in the Inner Hebrides for a unique range of youth and community events including:

• Bowmore – Primary Schools festival featuring the Schools Gaelic Choir and Highland Dancing *
• Visit to the Bowmore distillery
• Bowmore Town Square for community meet the Baton opportunity*
• Talk at Ionad Chaluim Chille Ìle (the Columba Centre Islay). *

Thursday 24 August – Dundee, Aberdeen, Stirling

The QBR heads to Dundee, Aberdeen and Stirling for a series of events including:

• Clepington Primary School, Dundee – a sportscotland gold standard sports award school for Australian Commonwealth themed activity
• Kirriemuir – a visit to the Bon Scott statue to celebrate the famous Australian-Scot lead singer of ACDC *
• Aberdeen Sports Village – a multi-school ‘One Big Sports Day’ of Commonwealth themed activities incorporating an Australian high tea
• Stirling Castle – Team Scotland reception & Bahamas 2017 Youth Games team celebration.

Friday 25 August – Stirling, Falkirk

A big day of school and community activities in Stirling and Falkirk before visiting the home of Team Scotland at the University of Stirling.

• St Ninian’s Primary School , Stirling – Joining children for their Daily Mile. St Ninian’s is linked with Coolangatta State School as part of the Gold Coast 2018 Schools connect programme.
• Helix and Kelpies, Falkirk – A multi-school Commonwealth themed festival for the schools and the community *
• Stirling University Campus – meeting with students linked to the Commonwealth Games
• sportscotland Institute of Sport – meeting the ‘team behind the team’ who help to prepare Team Scotland athletes for the Commonwealth Games.

Saturday 26 August – Grangemouth, Edinburgh

Visits to two major sports events where Scottish athletes are striving to be selected for Team Scotland for the 2018 Games. The day concludes with a visit to the Military Tattoo, an iconic Scottish showcase that is now a firm Australian favorite, broadcast to bring in the New Year down under.

• Grangemouth – Scottish Athletics Senior Championships *
• Portobello – Scottish Beach Volleyball Championship *
• Edinburgh – Edinburgh Military Tattoo

For further information about the Gold Coast 2018 Queen’s Baton Relay and its journey across the Commonwealth so far visit www.gc2018.com.

Reigning champion Gordon Reid faces Stefan Olsson of Sweden in a rematch of last year’s men’s singles final when wheelchair tennis begins at The Championships, Wimbledon on Thursday.

Reid is one of four Brits on the Tennis Foundation’s Wheelchair Tennis World Class Programme playing at the third Grand Slam of the year this time, along with Alfie Hewett, Lucy Shuker and Jordanne Whiley.

The 25-year-old made history in 2016, winning the inaugural Wimbledon wheelchair tennis men’s singles title.

“I’ve got great memories of last year and the home British crowd were a huge part of that. Hopefully that can only get better and better as the profile of wheelchair tennis goes up and up and I’m really looking forward to experiencing that again,” said Reid. “I went to the Australian Open this year as defending champion, so have that experience to draw on as defending champion here and I’m excited to get started. All matches at a Grand Slam are tough.”

Reid is drawn in the opposite half of the draw to fellow Brit and Roland Garros champion Alfie Hewett. Hewett, 19, plays Nicolas Peifer of France in his bid to reach the semi-finals and goes into the contest having won four of his last six matches against Peifer.

As well as Reid bidding to defend his title in the men’s singles, Hewett and Reid also go into Wimbledon this year as reigning men’s doubles champions. They begin their title defence against Gustavo Fernandez of Argentina and Shingo Kunieda of Japan.

“Doubles is going to be another tough opening match but me and Gordon are really up for defending our title and, again, are taking it a match at a time,” added Hewett.

Photo courtesy of the Tennis Foundation

British Para Triathletes were in action at the ITU Paratriathlon World Cup in Iseo-Franciacorta, Italy over the weekend and there was a notable performance by Highland’s Karen Darke as she won a Gold medal at the World event.

Darke is the current Paralympic Champion in hand cycling, however, she has always shown her versatility in the sport of para triathlon.  The sport, and the PTWC classification, is making its debut at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in 2018 and as a result she has switched her attentions in order secure a place on the Scottish team for the event next year.

She won the Gold medal in a time of 01:27:37, thirteen seconds ahead of Mona Francis (FRA) who came second in 01:40:12

Scotland’s other representative was Paraympic Silver medallist, Alison Patrick (PTVI) – who recently turned her hand to track cycling – was unable to finish their races due to the Italian heat.  She was guided by Nicole Walters.

For more information please visit the British Triathlon website.

https://www.britishtriathlon.org/news/double-gold-for-gb-paratriathletes-in-italy_7516