Now or never: Whiley on Tokyo goals, bad break ups and property advice

After completing her calendar Grand Slam of doubles titles alongside Japan’s Yui Kamiji in 2014, Jordanne Whiley’s coach, partner and future fiancée, Marc McCarroll, built a trophy cabinet for her to house an ever-mounting haul of accolades.

Over the years, however, her silverware collection has expanded to the extent that space is now very much at a premium. With Paralympic gold up for grabs in the coming weeks, Whiley is aware that some emergency DIY may be required.

“My trophy cabinet’s bulging at the seams with Grand Slam titles, my MBE and my Paralympic medals,” Whiley, who has a tattoo which translates from Japanese as “unprecedented” to mark her achievements with best friend and bridesmaid-to-be Kamiji, told ITFWorld.

“I cannot fit 13 Grand Slam trophies inside, so I need an extension. It was organised at one stage but now it is a case of fitting whatever, wherever – it’s a bit like Tetris.”

Make no mistake, should Whiley top the podium in Tokyo and seal what could prove a golden farewell from the sport which has been her life for so long, that accomplishment would stand alone and take pride of place.

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