Gordon Reid already has 30 Grand Slam titles to his name, but he is back for more on the Wimbledon courts where has won seven of them. The 34-year-old from Alexandria won his first title at The Championships a decade ago – triumphing in both the men’s wheelchair singles and doubles in 2016.
It marked the start of a doubles partnership with Alfie Hewett, 28, that has delivered 24 Grand Slam titles in the intervening 10 years, and the pair are not ready to put a full stop on that tally yet.
“Hopefully I’ll have a few more left in me, but I’m trying to cherish every moment that I get on the courts here,” admitted Reid. “We’ve had some of our best moments here at Wimbledon together in the doubles so it’s always fun to come back and create more of those.”
Reid and Hewett lost last year’s final in straight sets, but just like then, they enter high in confidence after victory at the Lexus British Open Roehampton. It marks two years since the current world No. 1s last lifted this trophy on grass, however, with a return to glory overdue for the British favourites.
First, though, Tom Egberink and Maarten ter Hofte await in the quarter-finals, while in the singles Reid faces an unenviable meeting with reigning champion Tokito Oda.
But with winning so familiar, he knows what it takes to get across the line.
“It’s about mentality most of the time. It’s about confidence in yourself and conviction when you’re on the court,” he explained.
“We have the crowd here that wants to get behind us and support us, so it’s about utilising that and galvanising alongside the crowd to use it to your advantage.
“In my best performances here, I’ve done those things well so those are key.”
For the latest updates on the British summer grass court season, visit the LTA website, lta.org.uk.
