The 52-year-old Londoner is a two-time Paralympic champion in the quads while he is a seven-time Grand Slam winner having been paralysed in a motorbike accident in 1979 at the age of 19.

The former world number one could still compete in some international tournaments but has given up his full-time status to spend more time with his wife Linda and two young children as well as to concentrate on growing his business which is called Equipment for the Physically Challenged (EPC).

"I haven't had a break from the Tour for 12 years and I feel it is time to dedicate some of my time to other areas of my life," he said.

"I have enjoyed some incredible moments in my career and I want to thank everyone who has been a part of that, especially those who have given up their time and efforts to help me get to the top.

"I look forward to staying involved with the Tennis Foundation and I hope I can inspire more disabled people in this country to take up tennis, as it's such a brilliant and fun sport to play."


Although leaving the Tennis Foundation's performance programme, Norfolk will remain involved by offering support to players on the programme while he will also look to inspire new players to take up the sport at camps and open days.

He will also be helping to run wheelchair tennis sessions at Kingsley Tennis Centre in Hampshire which are for anyone who wants to try out the sport.

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