This year’s Wimbledon wheelchair tennis tournament proved a rollercoaster for Great Britain’s athletes. While British stars featured prominently in every division, the silverware largely slipped from their grasp as a new wave of international talent made its mark. From Alfie Hewett’s battling performances to Gregory Slade’s breakout moment in the quad doubles, Team GB showed grit, class, and heart—though a title on home soil remained elusive.
Alfie Hewett falls short despite strong campaign
For Alfie Hewett, Wimbledon 2025 was a tale of near misses. The Norwich-born world No. 2 reached both the men’s singles and doubles finals, yet was denied in each by rising challengers.
In singles, Alfie was beaten 3–6, 7–5, 6–2 by Japan’s Tokito Oda, who claimed his second Wimbledon crown. Despite a dominant opening set from the Brit, Tokito showcased incredible mental strength and adaptability to overturn the deficit and take control of the final.
It was a heartbreaking repeat of 2023, when Tokito also halted Alfie’s quest for a Wimbledon singles title. The British star now has four runner-up finishes at the All England Club in singles, and once again, he was left ruing what might have been.
Alfie, who became only the second men’s wheelchair player to complete the career Grand Slam when he bet Spain’s Martin de la Puente in the 2024 Wimbledon final, said:
“Last year was such a special moment for me, my family, my team, everyone who has been on this journey with me. To be honest, I don’t think trophies can beat this sort of atmosphere and this sort of support. When you lose, to have this sort of love and support behind you, it’s even better.
“This sort of atmosphere doesn’t happen to us on a regular basis. It’s really incredible what has happened at Wimbledon over the last few years and the amount of support wheelchair tennis has got. To live tennis matches like this is what we both dream of. We said it at the net – to have an audience like this, win or lose, I think that’s the real win today.”
In doubles, Alfie reunited with longtime partner Gordon Reid in pursuit of their seventh Wimbledon title as a pair. But the British duo were upset by Spain’s Martín de la Puente and the Netherlands’ Ruben Spaargaren, who edged them 7–6(1), 7–5 in a gripping final. Though the top seeds had looked solid throughout the tournament, they were unable to match the firepower and tactical clarity of their opponents in key moments.
The loss ended a formidable run at Wimbledon for the British duo, whose partnership has long been the gold standard in men’s wheelchair doubles. Yet their finals appearance again demonstrated why they remain one of the sport’s most consistent and respected pairings.
Gordon Reid: veteran presence and class
Gordon Reid continued to show why he is still regarded as one of the sport’s greats. The 33-year-old Scot, who has battled injuries in recent years, looked composed throughout the tournament. His doubles partnership with Alfie remains vital to Team GB’s hopes at both Grand Slams and Paralympic events.
Though silver at Wimbledon is not what Gordon came for, his presence in the final further bolstered his credentials as a foundational figure in British wheelchair tennis.
Gregory Slade reaches new heights in quad doubles
In the quad division, Britain’s 22-year-old Gregory Slade enjoyed a breakout moment. Partnering with South Africa’s Donald Ramphadi, he reached the final of the quad doubles—a significant milestone for the Hampshire native.
Reflecting on his semi final doubles win, Gregory said: “I think what made or broke that match for us was just in that third set… just committing to the shots, not necessarily trying to smack winners the whole time; this is doubles you’re not going to do that. But just committing to the ball, which actually creates more pressure. (I’m) delighted to have come through it and I’m so happy with our performance as a team.”
Though they were outplayed 6–0, 6–2 by the powerhouse team of Guy Sasson and Niels Vink, the performance marked Gregory’s first appearance in a Grand Slam final. His growing confidence and improved net play were widely praised throughout the tournament.
In singles, Gregory put in a spirited performance but fell short in the early rounds. Nevertheless, his doubles run signals a promising future and greater depth for Team GB in the quad division.
Lucy Shuker battles bravely in women’s draw
Veteran Lucy Shuker carried Britain’s hopes in the women’s singles and doubles but exited earlier than hoped. In singles, she was eliminated in the quarterfinals by China’s Wang Ziying, who went on to become the first Chinese player to win a Grand Slam wheelchair singles title.
In doubles, Lucy teamed with Dana Mathewson (USA), but the pair were stopped in the semifinals by top seeds Kamiji and Montjane. Lucy, who remains a passionate advocate for disability sport, showed her trademark tenacity and professionalism, and continues to inspire the next generation of British players.
A shift in global dynamics at Wimbledon 2025
While Team GB has long been a powerhouse in wheelchair tennis – particularly in doubles – the results at Wimbledon 2025 underline a shifting landscape. Emerging stars such as Wang Ziying, Tokito Oda, and Niels Vink are not only claiming titles but reshaping the competitive hierarchy.
The British team continues to be a major force, but the rise of international talent from Asia, the Netherlands, and Israel points to a more global and diverse future for the sport.
Despite falling short of silverware, Team GB’s presence in four finals is a testament to its enduring quality and depth. With Paris 2024 Paralympic champions like Alfie Hewett and Goedon Reid still in peak form and promising players like Gregory Slade breaking through, the foundations remain strong.
British coaches and performance analysts will no doubt dissect the Wimbledon results in preparation for the US Open and end-of-year championships. Tactical refinements, mental resilience, and perhaps new doubles combinations may be explored as Team GB seeks to reclaim titles on the world stage.
Looking forward, the focus now shifts to the US Open in September. Alfie Hewett will aim to bounce back in both singles and doubles, while Gordon Reid’s continued form will be closely watched. Gregory Slade’s momentum may carry him into deeper singles runs, and Lucy Shuker will look to channel her Wimbledon disappointment into a resurgence on hard courts.
Wimbledon 2025 may not have delivered the home titles fans craved, but Team GB once again showed pride, poise, and the potential to rise again. The next chapter awaits.
You can find out more about the Team GB wheelchair tennis squad by visiting the LTA website and following LTA on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.