Gordon Reid says it feels 'incredible' to get doubles gold after 'heartbreaking' close calls

Scottish wheelchair tennis star Gordon Reid says it feels “incredible” to finally get his hands on a Paralympic gold doubles medal after previously coming so close in “heartbreaking” final defeats.

The 32-year-old took silver in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 alongside long-term doubles partner Alfie Hewitt, but it was third time lucky for the Team GB duo this summer in Paris when they ended their wait for the top prize.

They recorded a dominant straight-sets victory at Roland Garros to beat Japanese second seeds Takuya Miki and Tokito Oda 6-2 6-1.

The win also marks a Golden Slam for the pair, who are also reigning Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon champions, and adds to the 21 grand slam doubles titles they have won together.

Speaking in the French capital, Reid said: “It was incredible, we have been waiting a long time for this, we have come so close in the last two Paralympics by reaching the final and it’s been a heartbreaker for us a couple of times, so to turn that around here and finally get over the line and get a gold together is really special.”

Winners: Reid and Hewitt won gold in the tennis doubles. STV News

When asked about how the standards have improved in wheelchair tennis and if that makes it harder to win a medal at the Paralympic games he said: “Definitely, I think you have seen that over the past few years in this sport, the levels are increasing year in and year out, players are getting stronger, fitter, faster, they are hitting the ball harder and there is more strength in depth as well.

“So, yeah, it is tougher than ever and that’s why we knew we had to put in a lot of time and effort behind the scenes and in the lead up to Paris, and ever since Tokyo, we haven’t left any stone unturned to make sure we were best prepared to come in and do the job here.”

Team GB beat their previous gold medal record at the Paris Paralympics and retained their position as ‘best of the rest’ behind China in the table.

The British team won a total of 124 medals including 49 golds, but Reid insists the success of the team won’t bring any complacency.

He said: “I don’t think there is (any complacency), it’s always tough to keep up with China at the top, they always win hundreds and hundreds of medals, but the whole team has done amazing here and it is such a pleasure and a privilege for us to be part of that and contribute in some way, because tennis is an individual sport, most of the time, apart from the doubles obviously.

“So to be able to contribute to something bigger and to represent your country is something we take a lot of pride in and really enjoy.”