Mariam Ayeni who trains at Uxbridge Tennis Club with Middlesex Tennis County Coach Stuart Wilkinson was invited to represent Great Britain in the inaugural wheelchair competition in an IC tournament. The first event featured teams from Great Britain, Spain and a mixed team of Ireland and Brazil. Playing a round robin using the fast four format with a tiebreak at 4-4 and a seven-point tiebreak if the sets are tied, the players showcased a competitive level of wheelchair tennis with Spain taking the overall win. Enrique Meseguer and Lola Ribes were both dominant in their respective singles fixtures and made a great pairing in the doubles, especially considering it was the first time they had both played on grass. Enrique now turns his attention back to clay as he heads to Paris to compete in the forthcoming Paralympics. 

After the win, Lola said: “It was amazing to be here in Wimbledon. It was the first time we have played on grass and the ambience and everything else is amazing. We are very happy, and we won so it’s great!

“We are very pleased to be involved with the wheelchair tennis for the first time as part of the IC family. We have also spoken to the other Spanish teams and supported each other today. It’s amazing to have this opportunity and for people to see wheelchair tennis and to have more visibility.”

Enrique added: “It’s also my first time playing Wimbledon, and I am very happy. I always watch it on television and to play here is a one-off for me. I’m so happy to have been able to play with Lola and to win it is perfect!

“I’m now going to be playing in the Paralympics in Paris, so it’s very special for me. Today I’m playing in Wimbledon and next week I’ll play in Roland Garros. It’s perfect! It’s a dream for me and I am very happy!”

Mariam said 'Thank you to the IC and Wimbledon for a great and wonderful experience. I really appreciate being able to participate and make history.' 

The introduction of wheelchair tennis to the IC family was the idea of IC Council Chairman Peter Mcquibban. He appointed disability and wheelchair tennis experts Geoff Newton, the former IC of GB Chairman who led the 75th anniversary celebrations in 1999, and Middlesex Tennis inclusion lead Mark Bullock, who this year was awarded the Brad Parks Award – the ITF’s highest award for lifetime contribution to wheelchair tennis, to organise the wheelchair tournament as part of the IC of GB Centenary Week celebrations.

After the success of today’s event the hope is that wheelchair tennis will feature on more IC tournaments around the globe more regularly, raising awareness of the sport and providing social and competitive opportunities to keep retired players in the sport, whilst increasing visibility for those players and others and creating a platform for more players to play the game.