Tennis: Helensburgh sensation is best Brit

Oct 3 2008 by Andy Galloway, Lennox Herald (main ed)

WHEELCHAIR tennis sensation Gordon Reid has become the youngest ever British number one – in the week of his 17th birthday.

The teenager has just returned from the Beijing Paralympics and is now aiming for a medal-winning performance at the 2012 London event.

And that journey has started by becoming the UK’s top wheelchair tennis player – a great present for his birthday on Thursday

The Helensburgh lad said: “It’s a nice way to start the next four year journey to London and to be the youngest British men’s number one is quite an honour.”

Gordon was unlucky to come up against the world number two, Dutchman Robin Ammerlaan, at the Paralympics.

Robin, who was also the reigning Paralympic champion, knocked him out in the first round of the men’s singles 6-3 6-0.

But that experience hasn’t daunted Gordon, whose next competitive event takes place in Cardiff in mid-October.

He added: “I was 4-0 down in the first against Robin, brought it back to 4-3 and was two points away from levelling the first set at 4-4.

“I could see I had him under pressure and he wasn’t quite sure how to play me, although his experience told in the end.

“But it gives me a lot of belief for what I can achieve in the years to come.”