August 24, 2006

A TALENTED teenager has surged to the top of the wheelchair tennis rankings after a summer of success.

Gordon Reid is now the United Kingdom’s number one junior player and has also forced his way into the top 100 senior list.

His incredible rise up the rankings comes just 18 months after doctors said he may never walk again.

The 14-year-old who took up the sport after he was paralysed from the waist down, enjoyed major triumphs at the British Open in Nottingham.

He won the mens’ second draw and the junior draw at the event, which is the equivalent of a grand slam tournament in able-bodied tennis.

The success has pushed him up to number 85 in the mens’ senior ranking and he is Britain’s number one junior.

Gordon said: “I never expected to win so it was quite a surprise, though I played well in the tournament so I was really happy with the win.

“I am happy my ranking has gone up so far but because I am so young it will go up and down quite a lot.”

Proud mum Alison said: “We thought it would be good if he got through the first round but he went on to win it.

“All the top players were there so it was a huge win for him.

“There were 174 players from all over the world.”