Wimbledon singles opportunity for Halesowen's Jordanne Whiley
When it was revealed last year that Wimbledon would be incorporating the wheelchair singles event from 2016 – one star from Halesowen immediately sniffed more success.
Jordanne Whiley was honoured at the annual sporting star ceremony at Centre Court during Wimbledon's middle Saturday, introduced as a Grand Slam singles champion and somebody who had swept the board in doubles.
The 24-year-old broke her Slam singles duck last year at Flushing Meadows, memorably clinching the US Open title, but with the opportunity to clinch solo success on home soil now a reality, the West Midlands star is only after one thing.
"It (Wimbledon) will be the most the most special one (title) – so I really want to add that," said Whiley. "Me and Yui (Kamiji, doubles partner) are going for a hat-trick in the doubles but the main one this year will be to try and win in the singles, definitely."
The eight-draw singles event will begin tomorrow with the ladies' final being held on Saturday.
Whiley was yesterday drawn to face fellow Brit and part-time doubles partner Lucy Shuker in the opening round tomorrow.
It has been an exciting time for the Paralympic bronze medallist, who last week had her qualification for this year's Rio Games made official.
It will be Whiley's third Games and while a trip to South America looms on the horizon, there is only one current job in hand.
"It's like two of the biggest tournaments within two months of each other but I guess that's just the way it is," Whiley said. "I'll focus on Wimbledon first and when that's over it'll all be about the Paralympics.
"Training is going really well and I'm really excited."
