Kettering's Dermot is Tokyo-bound as he's selected for ParalympicsGB
Kettering s Dermot Bailey will make his Paralympic debut in Tokyo this year.
In one of the biggest moments of his career, the wheelchair tennis star's selection for ParalympicsGB was confirmed this morning as the British Olympic Association (BOA) and British Paralympic Association (BPA) revealed the squad of players who will represent Great Britain at the Olympic Games and Paralympics.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdBailey is the only Paralympic debutant, taking the total number of players to have ever represented Great Britain in tennis at the Olympic and Paralympic Games to 110.
Bailey has been selected to play in the Men's Singles alongside Alfie Hewett and former gold medalist Gordon Reid.
Cain Berry, LTA Wheelchair Performance Support Lead and ParalympicsGB Wheelchair Tennis Team Leader, said: “This is always an exciting moment both for us as a governing body and the athletes, all of whom richly deserve their places in the team and will do their country proud I’m sure.
"We’re very pleased to be celebrating both sets of players on the same day. It’s been a phenomenal effort from a number of organisations to get these Games on, and we are really grateful to the BPA for their continued support. We’re all really excited for Games time now.”
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdParalympicsGB Chef de Mission Penny Briscoe added: “Five years ago at Rio 2016 the British team returned home with no fewer than six medals – a gold, three silvers and two bronze – the most medals out of all the competing nations.
"I was extremely proud then and I know these six athletes will do the nation proud once again. I am delighted to welcome all six brilliant athletes to the ParalympicsGB team and look forward to seeing just what they are capable of on the court in Tokyo in just over 60 days’ time.”
The Paralympics will be staged in Tokyo between August 24 and September 5 with the Olympic Games being held between July 23 and August 8.
Great Britain Paralympics Tennis Team
Men’s Singles: Alfie Hewett, Gordon Reid, Dermot Bailey
Women’s Singles: Jordanne Whiley, Lucy Shuker
Quad Singles: Andy Lapthorne
Men’s Doubles: Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid
Women’s Doubles: Jordanne Whiley and Lucy Shuker
Great Britain Olympics Tennis Team
Men’s Singles: Dan Evans, Andy Murray
Women’s Singles: Johanna Konta, Heather Watson
Men’s Doubles: Dan Evans and Neal Skupski, Joe Salisbury and Andy Murray
Women’s Doubles: Johanna Konta and Heather Watson
Mixed Doubles: TBC once the ranking cut off is known by July 27