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Disability Sport Contents:  Paralympics 2008

14:29 GMT, Friday, 4 July 2008 15:29 UK

Reid set for Wimbledon experience

by Elizabeth Hudson

British wheelchair tennis player Gordon Reid

Gordon Reid and David Phillipson will create history when they compete in this weekend's Wimbledon Masters Series wheelchair doubles games.

Reid, 16, from Scotland and 19-year-old Phillipson from Nottingham will be the first all-British pair in the event.

As well as playing at Wimbledon, it gives them a chance to gear up for the Beijing Paralympics.

In Saturday's semi-finals they face defending champions Robin Ammerlaan and Ronald Vink from the Netherlands.

Ammerlaan is ranked third in the world in doubles, one place ahead of Vink, and is also ranked second in singles.

The other semi-final features French pairing Stephane Houdet and Nicolas Peifer, who are ranked fifth and 10th in the world, against former world number one Martin Legner of Austria and Poland's Tadeusz Krusezelnicki, who are sixth and 11th.

Total prize money of £14,000 is on offer, as well as ranking points.

Although Reid and Phillipson are ranked 28th and 48th in the world respectively, Reid is happy with the tag of underdog against the Dutch duo as they seek to match the achievements of former British number one Jayant Mistry, who partnered France's Michael Jeremiasz in the first event in 2005.

"The other three pairings are all ranked in the top 11 in the world so we have got nothing to lose," Reid told BBC Sport.

"I've never been to Wimbledon before, even as a spectator so I'm really looking forward to the chance of playing there.

"It means a lot to play at one of the biggest tournaments in the world, and to play in front of a big crowd and have the game televised will be a great experience.

"It is my first time to play on grass but I think my game will suit it because I like playing at the net and David is fast around the court and we are getting used to each other's play."

Ronald Vink (l) and Robin Ammerlaan (r)

Reid began playing tennis aged six but in 2004 he was left paralysed from the waist down after developing a rare spinal condition.

He began playing wheelchair tennis soon after and has made rapid progress up the world rankings.

He linked up with Phillipson to play at the north east tournament in Sunderland in March, losing in the final, and then again at the Florida Open in April.

On that occasion they were drawn against top seeds and former Wimbledon champions Shingo Kunieda and Satoshi Saida and despite being beaten in straight sets, they recovered from 5-0 down in the second set before losing it 6-3.

It is a busy time for Reid and Phillipson who are part of an eight-strong tennis team for the Beijing Paralympics, which begin on 6 September.

"This time last year I couldn't have imagined that I would be playing at Wimbledon and also at the Beijing Paralympics - I thought 2012 was a better opportunity for me," said Reid.

"But I've put a lot of work in over the past 12 months and I've now got more confidence in myself and my game.

"I was delighted to have been selected for the Paralympics but I'm more excited about this weekend."

The Wimbledon wheelchair doubles Masters Series games will be shown on BBCi in Saturday (1200 and 1600 BST) and Sunday with analysis from former British number one Jayant Mistry.




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Related to this story:

Norfolk named in GB tennis squad (12 Jun 08 |  Disability sport )
Reid & Whiley claim singles wins (03 Mar 08 |  Disability sport )
Wimbledon title joy for Dutch duo (08 Jul 07 |  Disability sport )
Disability sport on the BBC (23 Apr 08 |  Disability sport )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
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ITF Wheelchair Tennis
The Tennis Foundation
Wimbledon
2008 Beijing Paralympics
Wheelpower
GB Paralympic team for Beijing
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Disability Sport Contents:  Paralympics 2008

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