It’s official. The international Tennis Federation (ITF) has confirmed that four British players, including Paralympic gold medallist and Wimbledon men’s singles champion Gordon Reid,, will compete at the NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters 2016 in London (30 Nov-4 Dec).
Tournament success throughout the year has ensured Reid (world No.2), Andy Lapthorne (quad world No.4), Jordanne Whiley (world No.5), and Lucy Shuker (world No.8) will all fly the flag for Britain at the ITF’s year-end wheelchair tennis singles championship at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London.
Reid, from Helensburgh in Scotland, said: “I know you are only as good as your last match and that the competition will be really intense at the NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters. I’m just going to knuckle down and work hard to give myself every opportunity to win this title. That would be a dream finale to my year.”
Competition will be tough in all of the disciplines, with Joachim Gerard (Belgium), Jiske Griffioen (Netherlands) and David Wagner (USA), the respective reigning men’s, women’s and quad champions, all returning to defend their titles.
The top eight ranked men’s and women’s players and top six quad players at the ITF ranking list cut-off of 10 October qualify for the Masters making it one of the most prestigious events on the UNIQLO Wheelchair Tennis Tour.
Photo courtesy of the Tennis Foundation.