Wheelchair tennis star reaches career high world ranking

LOUGHBOROUGH College GB Wheelchair Tennis player and Paralympic hopeful Abbie Breakwell has reached a career high world ranking.

The college sport student is now eighth in the global junior rankings and has entered the world top 100 women’s singles at 96 after winning her first ITF Wheelchair Junior tournament.

Abbie was crowned girls’ singles champion and doubles champion at the first ever Bolton Indoor International Tennis Federation (ITF) Junior series.

Her selection to represent Great Britain as part of the junior wheelchair tennis squad at the BNP Parabas World Team Cup in 2018 came only two years into Abbie’s playing career. That summer also saw her become British Open Wheelchair Tennis Girl Junior Champion.

Abbie has described representing her country as “such a great honour... I am so proud” and says it is her dream to play at Wimbledon and be a Paralympian.

“I’m just taking part in sports that I love and hope to encourage others with disabilities to just have a go. Give it a try as it could change your life like it has mine.”

Loughborough College further education sport programme lead Danny Lee said: “It is fantastic to see Abbie winning ITF Junior ranked tournaments and increasing her national and international ranking too.

“Since she joined the college, Abbie’s hard work and commitment to her sport and her studies – together with the help of her tutors and the support team - has seen her flourish.

“This is another success in Para Sport for the college – it’s a key area we’re aiming to continue growing and supporting over the coming years.”

The next Wheelchair Tennis National Series is due to take place at the Dan Maskell Tennis Centre in Loughborough in April.