Thursday 17 September 2015 16:53, UK
Jordanne Whiley admits she is still pinching herself after winning her maiden individual Grand Slam by beating regular doubles partner Yui Kamiji to claim the US Open wheelchair singles.
The 23-year-old from Halesowen beat close friend Kamiji of Japan 6-4 0-6 6-1 at Flushing Meadows on Sunday night. The pair have won six major doubles titles together, including all four majors last year as they completed a calendar Grand Slam.
Whiley landed at London's Heathrow Airport on Tuesday morning and travelled directly to Sky Studios to join Jane Dougall on SportsWomen to reflect on her personal triumph in New York.
"I never really thought I was going to win it, even though I really believed I could," Whiley said.
"At the beginning of the year, I started working with a new coach and I said to him my goal was to win the US Open's Singles title but to actually win it was a dream come true.
"It was strange [beating Kamiji in the final] and it was really difficult because we are best friends and I'm used to winning with her, so I always support her and always love to see her win.
"To actually want to win against her was hard. After the match, she cried and I just wanted to run over and give her a hug but then at the same time I was so happy I'd won, but it was all fine later."
Despite winning a Wimbledon doubles title and medalling at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, Whiley says her US Open triumph is the pinnacle of her career to date.
She said: "This is the greatest. It even trumps my bronze medal [at London 2012], 100 per cent.
"This is a singles title and this is so important for me. I've been telling saying to myself, to my family and even to the media that I'm not just a doubles player, I am a singles player as well.
"I wanted to show everybody and myself that I really could do it and this is the start of great things I assure you."
