Reid hoping to play part in keeping buzz alive

Wheelchair tennis star Gordon Reid is hoping Johanna Konta can keep the feelgood factor going for British tennis at Wimbledon as he aims to play his own part in keeping spirits high.

Reid loves the attention that comes the way of the wheelchair events, but admits there is always a greater excitement in the closing days of the tournament if other British players are also competing for top honours.

In recent years it has been typically Andy Murray going for glory, but his defeat yesterday leaves Konta as the prime hope for Centre Court glory.

She faces Venus Williams in the women’s semi-finals today.

Speaking of being involved at the same time as fellow Britons bid to land their own trophies, the Scot said: “When that happens there’s an underlying buzz around British tennis in general and I think you can feel that.

“When the big names are doing well, the public look out for the rest of the British players and they’re hungry for British success.

“As soon as they see a British player on the courts outside they’ll flock and come to support us.”

Reid claimed a significant share of the attention 12 months ago when he did the Wimbledon wheelchair double, partnering Alfie Hewett to doubles success before beating Stefan Olsson to land the singles title.

The 25-year-old has been drawn to face Olsson in his opening singles match today, and plans are afoot for the finals of the wheelchair events to be played on the 2,000-capacity Court Three this year, allowing for a far greater crowd than saw last year’s matches.

Then the finals were contested on tiny Court 17, with fans clamouring for a view, and Glasgow-based Reid will be back there for the quarter-final match against Olsson.

Gordon Reid in action in a men’s wheelchair doubles match.