Amongst the players forming a part of the ParalympicsGB team is one of Britain’s most successful wheelchair tennis stars, Gordon Reid.

With two Grand Slam singles and 25 Grand Slam doubles titles to his name, Reid has cemented himself as one of the most accomplished players on the Uniqlo Wheelchair Tennis Tour. However, some of his biggest career highlights have come at the Paralympic Games, where he has earned four medals for his country.

Reid powered his way to Paralympic glory in Rio 2016 – becoming the only men’s wheelchair singles player to have won a gold medal to date. Alongside gold, the Brit has also picked up two silver medals in the doubles and claimed bronze in the men’s singles event in Tokyo 2020 – making him the second most decorated British Paralympic wheelchair tennis player, ranked just below Peter Norfolk (5).

The 2024 competition in the French capital will mark Reid’s fifth Games, but the novelty hasn’t worn off for the 32-year-old who is relishing the opportunity to add another Paralympic medal to his already impressive haul.

“It’s something that’s difficult to put into words - it’s really special,” Reid said. “It feels like you’re not only winning it for yourself, you’re contributing to a bigger team and obviously for your country as well – that’s something we don’t get to experience much as tennis players throughout our season. Having that opportunity every four years is really special and something I’m really excited about.

“The best thing for me is being around other athletes and being a part of that bigger team for ParalympicsGB,” he added. “As the medal count comes in every day and the athletes from different sports win their medals, you see them coming in and celebrating and you can enjoy that throughout the whole week with them.

“Tennis is an event that runs pretty much the whole time, and we finish pretty late on but it really feels like you’re part of something bigger and if you contribute to that (medal tally) it feels pretty good as well."

This year’s Paralympic tennis events will be staged at a venue the players know all too well – Roland Garros, the home of the French Open and a place where Reid has gained monumental success over the last few years alongside world No.1 Alfie Hewett.

The British duo have formed a formidable partnership that has led them to 21 Grand Slam doubles trophies – the most of any wheelchair tennis pairing in history – including five successive titles on the red clay at Roland Garros.

While the British pair will arrive in Paris as favourites to take home the gold, the Paralympics is set to pose a different challenge for the Reid and Hewett, with athletes from all across the globe hungry to get their hands around one of the most sought-after prizes in sport.

“From the singles side, I’m expecting a difficult competition – it’s probably the toughest it’s ever been. I’d have to cause a couple of upsets to get on the podium there, but I’ll give it my best shot. On the doubles side, we’re going in confident and in good form, but we know there’s going to be a few teams out there gunning for us.

“It’s the first time we’ve had a Paralympic Games which is at the same venue where we normally compete. We’ve had some good success there recently, that should make us feel more comfortable and hopefully it won’t take us too long to adapt to the environment.

“It’ll look and feel a bit different being dressed up for the Games but we’ll have our routines and good experiences from there already so hopefully that helps.

“It would mean a lot (to win a medal). It goes without saying that’s what I’m going there to do – to be successful and add a few medals onto the tally for Great Britain. It’s what I’ve been working hard for, and I’ve been looking forward to this since Tokyo so I’m going to go out there and see what I can do."

Since making his debut in Beijing back in 2008, Reid has gained a wealth of experience when it comes to competing at one of the biggest competitions in disability sport. 

Alongside compatriots Hewett, Lucy Shuker and Andy Lapthorne, rising young stars Ben Bartram, Abbie Breakwell, Dahnon Ward and Greg Slade are all brimming with excitement ahead of their first Paralympic Games, with Reid being on hand to help guide them through the experience.

“Nobody’s asked me for any advice yet but I’m here if they need anything. Sometimes it can be quite daunting the first time you get there with the scale and size of it but I’m sure I can help out where I can. Back in the day at my first games, the more experienced players helped me a lot as well so hopefully I can be of assistance there."

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