Comments from ParalympicsGB players following this today’s session.
Dahnon Ward
Result: Beat Said Himam (Morocco) 6-3, 7-6 in the men’s singles first round
Age: 19
Hometown: Kegworth, Derby
On the match:
“It was a really up and down match because you had to come in and come out again and we didn’t know whether we were going to go back on court today. I came out after being 3-2 down, got settled with four games in a row and then I started thinking about everything and it got a bit tight and then it went really close in the second. I think I was 5-3 down so I did well to come back and saved a few set points and a really close tie-break as well. It was a nice way to finish it but pretty nerve racking as well.”
On mindset at 5-3:
“I always had it in me to bring it back, I brought it back in the first set. From that experience itself it helped me in the second set. Dig your feet in and get through the match.”
On the feeling when he won:
“It was a lot of relief. It was never going to be easy winning your first Paralympics match but I got it done and I’m really pleased.”
Ben Bartram
Result: Beat Guilhem Laget (France) 6-4, 6-4 in the men’s singles first round
Age: 19
Hometown: Norwich
On the match:
“Playing in front of the crowd was definitely nerve-wracking, they were obviously all against me. There was actually quite a few British fans out there which I was definitely grateful for and thank you to those guys for coming out, it definitely helped me get through it. But it was an incredible experience to play on that court, it is something I will remember forever.”
On having his parents watching:
“My mum and dad are here and they were watching on the sideline and it was so lovely to have them here watching me and supporting me. They’ve been a part of my entire career, there from the first time I ever picked up a racket and I hope that I have made them proud to see me play on Philippe Chatrier at a Paralympics, it is something I never thought would ever happen. It is a dream come true.”
On the best parts of his first Paralympic experience:
“The whole experience, the Opening Ceremony was unreal, to be part of something that big was very motivating and inspiring, to be part of such a big event for people who are disabled, I felt like I was part of something massive. It meant a lot to me and I’m sure it means a lot to every other athlete that attends something like that.”
Lucy Shuker and Abbie Breakwell lost 2-6, 4-6 to Bos/de Greef (Netherlands) in the first round of the women’s doubles.
Lucy Shuker
Age: 44
Hometown: Verwood, Dorset
On the first set:
“I think we were in points, for me it felt like discipline on big points or discipline on certain balls. You can’t make the mistakes in those points because they are all good teams out there. It’s disappointing. I feel like there was a good level at times, I feel like we just need to maintain that.”
On being flagbearer:
“To qualify for a Paralympics is one thing but to be a flagbearer is an incredible honour. To lead out the team alongside Terry (Bywater) was amazing. It’s something that I would never thought would happen to me. I’ve been to four Paralympics before and seen other flagbearers and seen the hype and buzz. Everything about it has been amazing. It felt like a different Games coming here. It has been incredible.”
Abbie Breakwell
Age: 21
Hometown: Long Eaton, Nottingham
On her Paralympic debut:
“No words can describe it really. It’s absolutely amazing. Everything I’ve worked for to finally be on that court and to just hit the ball, there are no words that can describe that sort of pride and also excitement for the very first time.”
On the match:
“We both did well. We have not been in a partnership for very long and I’m not as experienced as Lucy so pushing forward, I think we both played really well and we did play well. It helps towards future events and different thinks like that going forward.”
On playing at Roland-Garros for the first time:
“For me it was trying not to get lost in the hallways, I got lost so many times. Lucy really helped trying to guide me round it. I’ve been to Wimbledon from a very young age and I’ve watched Alfie and Gordon and Lucy play in front of these crowds going ‘I really want to be there one day’ and to finally have it, its amazing.”
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