Friday 7 October 2016 08:41, UK
Jordanne Whiley completed a hat-trick of Wimbledon doubles titles this year, but has told Sky Sports that she is concentrating on singles success.
At the age of 24, Whiley continues to set new standards for British wheelchair tennis, winning the doubles crown at the All England club for the third year running, a few months after taking the French Open title for a second time.
But Whiley insists she took particular pride from defending her singles crown at this summer's British Open and wants to be recognised for her own accomplishments in the years ahead.
"Wimbledon is really special, winning that doubles title for the third time," she said. "But for me, this year was all about singles.
"To go and retain my title against the world's best was a real good achievement for me. I've done all that I could in doubles. I've been having singles success since I won the US Open in 2015. It's just got better and better."
Whiley has formed a formidable pairing with Japan's Yui Kamiji, completing the calendar Grand Slam back in 2014, and she freely admits that leaving her long-term playing partner can be a lonely experience.
"Mainly it's mental," said Whiley.
"There's no-one there besides you that can help you through it. If you're having a bad day, it's solely on you. You cannot rely on the other person to win it for you. It is really different, but I like that, because if you've won, you've won it on your own."
To go and retain my title against the world's best was a real good achievement for me.<p>I've done all that I could in doubles.<p>I've been having singles success since I won the US Open in 2015.<p>It's just got better and better.
Whiley won the bronze medal for a second successive Paralympic Games in Rio - again in the doubles - although this was not cause for much celebration as she had been hampered by a painful injury.
"I was really, really disappointed with the bronze," said Whiley. "I guess a lot of people wouldn't understand if they did not know the story behind it.
"I got injured in my singles match, a bad wrist injury, which put me out. I was really upset, because I went there to be on the singles podium.
"Two hours before we went on to play the bronze medal match, I couldn't even hold a racket, it was that bad. I have to thank my medical team for getting me in a position to be able to play. I have really high standards of myself and I do believe that I can win a singles gold medal. That's why I feel there is unfinished business."
She did better the Paralympic tally of her father, Keith, who was himself a 100 metres bronze medallist at the 1984 Paralympics and Whiley acknowledges the importance of having his influence as a strong role model.
"I try to give out messages to young people to get into sport, especially young disabled people, who feel that they wouldn't be good at it, or they can't do something," said Whiley, who has Osteogenesis Imperfecta. "I started out as that person once and now I'm where I am now."
With Women's Sport Week underway, Whiley has thrown her support behind the initiative, and feels there is growing recognition of female sporting achievements.
"I think we're actually going in the right direction with women's rugby, hockey, and Paralympic sport in general," she said.
"It's really important, because it's not shown on television enough, but I love watching women's sport.
"I'm biased because I'm a woman, but I feel that they show so much passion and can inspire young women to get into sport as well."
Jordanne is one of several GB players who hope to compete at the NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters 2016 (30 Nov-4 Dec) in London.
