Interview with Andrew Lapthorne
By Mark Bullock
When and where did you start playing wheelchair tennis?
I attended a Tennis foundation beginner/junior camp back when I was 10/11 years old. I met my former long-term coach Stuart Wilkinson and went from there.
Where was your early training base? Where do you train now?
My early training base was local parks and local tennis clubs, I now base myself at the National Tennis centre in Roehampton.
I believe most of your coaches have a link to Middlesex. Who were/are they and what impact did they have on your career?
I started with Stuart Wilkinson and Mark bullock when I was young learning the basics then me and Stuart worked together for about 15 years all the way to Grand Slam wins and Paralympic medals. I’ve also worked with Ryan Jones former coach to Kyle Edmund and Borna Coric and I’m now working with former player and friend Marc Mccarroll.
Describe the feeling of winning your first Grand Slam singles title in New York in 2014?
It was amazing a life long dream come true, to win in such an amazing city on the big stage was a very special feeling.
What was it like to play on Rod Laver Arena at the Australian Open?
Again an amazing moment smashing the glass ceiling for the sport and something I am very proud of. Any player will tell you playing a Grand Slam final on centre court is the pinnacle.
You are a Paralympic multi medallist winning doubles silver in London, and doubles bronze & singles silver in Rio. What memories do you have of winning those medals?
Lots of memories just of the people in London the noise and then the relief of it being over, it’s something as a kid you never really think is possible so to actually have 3 medals above me in my bedroom is still very strange.
What was it like to be part of the first ever quad exhibition match at Wimbledon recently?
Absolutely amazing Wimbledon is the Mecca of Tennis and to be part of the event was very special.
You are a big football fan. Why Brentford? And why West Ham?
Brentford are more of a local club that I support when I can, I am a West Ham season ticket holder and try and get to most games due to my dad being a fan.