Last updated: 22/08/2012

Meet the players: Gordon Reid

Gordon Reid is part of the Tennis Foundation's Wheelchair Tennis Performance Programme and has been selected by the British Paralympic Association to represent ParalympicsGB at the London 2012 Paralympic Games. He will compete in the men's division at Eton Manor in the Olympic Park.

Gordon Reid

 Home Town: Alexandria

 Lives: Helensburgh, Argyll and Bute

 Trains: Gannochy National Tennis Centre

 Date Of Birth: 2nd January 1991

 Games Attended: Beijing 08











A keen tennis player, Gordon relished the opportunity to remain in the sport when he discovered wheelchair tennis after developing a rare neurological condition, transverse myelitis, in 2004.

He first began playing wheelchair tennis in 2005, when he was introduced to the sport at Scotstoun Leisure Centre in Glasgow. He was acknowledged for his sporting credentials in 2006, when he was among the 10 shortlisted finalists for the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year.

In 2007, Gordon became Britain's youngest men's Singles National Champion and he was also part of Great Britain's winning junior team at the 2007 World Team Cup. He feels his greatest achievement was representing ParalympicsGB at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games when he was just 16 years of age.

Gordon also enjoys Wheelchair Basketball and he previously represented Scotland as part of the under-25 team.

When he was younger, Gordon combined his training commitments with his studies and he was awarded Uppers (A-Levels) from Hermitage Academy in 2009 in Maths, English and Biology.

Gordon tells us how reaching his first Super Series final recently at the British Open has given him a boost at just the right time.

"Nottingham was a great tournament for me," said Reid, who beat world No.4 Ronald Vink en route to the final. "It was my last tournament before the Paralympics so to perform so consistently was very pleasing.

"I've come away from the competition feeling really good about where I am in terms of my preparations. Things couldn't be going any better."

Although Reid, who is part of the Tennis Foundation's Wheelchair Tennis Performance Team, has stopped short of setting himself a medal target, he admits it's always been his dream to win Paralympic gold.

"I can't deny that it has been my dream to win a gold medal," said the world No.12 doubles player. "I'm not saying to myself that I want to win a particular medal. Of course I would love to but as long as I can say to myself at the end of the Games that I couldn't have done anymore then I'll be happy."

London 2012 will be Reid's first foray into the Paralympic Games. Despite being relatively inexperienced on the biggest stage he's coping with the hype remarkably well.

"It might sound a bit odd but I'm not nervous at all," said Reid. "At the moment it is pure excitement. That's not to say that in the dressing room before my first match that I won't be suffering.

"Watching the Olympic athletes win so many medals has definitely been very inspiring and got me buzzing for what's ahead."

Gordon Reid

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Tennis Foundation - Disability tennis
ITF - Wheelchair Tennis