Great Britain's Whiley ready to realise her lifetime goal in Tokyo
She was 12 years old at the time but ever since catching a glimpse of Peter Norfolk’s medal following his exploits in Athens back in 2004, Jordanne Whiley has dreamed of winning Paralympic gold for Great Britain.
The Paralympic Games, after all, are in her blood after growing up with the inspiration of her father, Keith, winning bronze in the men’s 100m L3 athletics event at the 1984 Games in New York.
Whiley has her own proud Paralympic backstory, having made her debut at the 2008 Games in Beijing as a 16-year-old before competing at both London and Rio de Janeiro.
However, there was heartbreak in Rio five years ago as Whiley felt primed to be among the thoroughbreds of the winners’ enclosure only to be struck down by injury.
Despite suffering a stress fracture to her wrist, she still claimed her second Paralympic bronze in doubles alongside Lucy Shuker, but it was far removed from what she was hoping for and had far-reaching repercussions.
Such anguish prompted Whiley to take a break from tennis and at times it appeared as though her life was moving in a different direction, especially following the birth of her son, Jackson, in early 2018.
But Whiley, now 29, returned to the court, with Paralympic singles gold one of the main draws.
“I remember when Pete Norfolk came back from Athens and he showed me his gold medal, that was the first time I really thought, ‘wow, I really would like to get a medal’,” said Whiley.
“I’ve been on the podium for doubles, and I’d love to improve on bronze. But for me, the whole reason why I came back after having my son was to be on the singles podium. That’s a real lifetime goal of mine.”
Whiley will head into the Games having tasted Grand Slam success only last month after she and Yui Kamiji continued their formidable partnership with doubles success at the Wimbledon Championships.
While Grand Slam singles success has proven elusive since her return to action, Birmingham-born Whiley believes her game has evolved and Tokyo is the prime opportunity for her to showcase her talents on the biggest stage of all.
“I love the Paralympics,” added Whiley. “In Beijing and London, I was very young, and in Rio I was injured, so I feel like Tokyo is my chance to shine, to really show what I’m about, and to give myself the best chance to achieve a singles medal.
“It’s also a chance to play for my country. In tennis, you don’t get that a lot when it’s an individual sport. I really enjoy representing Great Britain, and obviously trying to get a medal is great for myself. Whatever happens in Tokyo, I just want to go with no regrets.”
The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic wheelchair tennis event starts on Friday 27 August (with the Opening Ceremony of the Games kicking off on Tuesday 24 August). The medal matches are due to take place on 1-4 September.
Click here for more information about the Paralympic schedule.