JORDANNE WHILEY - MBE

Wheelchair Tennis

Mother, keen baker and singer, Jordanne loves the feeling of competing and playing in front of a crowd.

At the age of three Jordanne’s father (Bronze medallist the in 1984 Paralympics) gave her a little tennis racket and started throwing balls for her to hit. He quickly realised she was pretty good at hitting the balls. “I equalled him in London and Rio but I still have never beaten his medal. I am more determined than ever to achieve my dream at Tokyo in front my little boy.”

“Wheelchair tennis has completely changed my life, I used to be shy and skinny as a child. With training, I started to get healthier, meeting new people with disabilities, and I feel comfortable around them. It brought me out of my shell and gave me so much self-belief and confidence”.

Jordanne trains 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week competing in around 15-18 tournaments a year including all four grand slams and the Paralympic Games. In 2014 she became the first British athlete ever to win a calendar Grand Slam. In 2015 she won her first ever singles grand slam at the US open and then later that year she was awarded a MBE. In 2016 Jordanne and Lucy Shuker her British doubles partner won a bronze medal at the Rio Paralympic Games despite her fractured wrist.

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“This is a very expensive sport, but it is something I am prepared to do as I want to give full commitment for Tokyo. With a great coach, planning, training and financial support I am able to travel to the tournaments I need to and have the training I need. PTS funding would be a life saver and will make a massive difference to my career.”