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