Venue: All England Club Dates: 3-16 July |
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Britain’s Alfie Hewett says he and doubles partner Gordon Reid are “desperate” to regain the Wimbledon crown as the wheelchair events begin on Wednesday.
Four of their 17 Grand Slam doubles titles have been won in London, but they were runners-up last year.
Hewett and Reid will also both compete in the singles tournament.
“It’s an absolute dream to become a champion here, singles or doubles,” said Hewett.
Reid has suffered with injuries in the last year, meaning Hewett has played with other doubles partners at some tournaments.
However, the 25-year-old Hewett says he always feels most comfortable alongside the Scot.
“After each of those tournaments we’d come back and say ‘missed you man’. It’s just something special between us where we really understand each other,” Hewett said.
“I always say we’re like a married couple – it’s been eight years now and we’ve had some ups and downs, but through that we always remain resilient, strong and look to improve.”
Reid, whose last singles Grand Slam came at Wimbledon in 2016, said the duo are looking to win “as many titles as we can” as well as eyeing a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, the one achievement that still evades them.
“We have a vision of where we want to be and we’re always hungry to improve – when you have that and put the work in it’s a recipe for success,” Reid said.
But while titles are always part of their ambition, Hewett says they also want to think about the “bigger picture” of growing wheelchair tennis and disability sport.
“It’s also the impact and inspiration we have on younger kids and older people with disabilities,” Hewett said.
“We’re trying to push wheelchair tennis in a better light and Wimbledon are doing that and we can be proud of that – that is a massive objective as well as winning.”
Last year saw wheelchair matches played on Wimbledon’s Court One for the first time, and Reid said it is important fans and organisers can “see the value” in the bigger stages, with finals set to be played there again this week.
“Before we were a secondary thought, but now the wheelchair is something that adds to the event and that’s good for them and us,” said Reid.
“It’s always a buzz to come back here and feel like the…
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