By Paul Osborne

London Mayor Boris Johnson joins Jordanne Whiley at a mini tennis match in London ©FacebookLondon Mayor Boris Johnson today took part in a game of mini tennis ahead of the NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters, which is due to be held at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in the British capital. 

An elite field of 20 players have made the trip to London for one of wheelchair tennis' most prestigious events.

The tournament is due to get underway on Wednesday (November 26) with competition coming to an end on Sunday (November 30) at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, a venue known as Eton Manor during London 2012.

British wheelchair tennis star Jordanne Whiley was one of a number of players to meet keen tennis player Johnson at City Hall today as she gave him a couple of top tips that have helped her become a star of the wheelchair tennis circuit.

"The NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters is the latest major sporting spectacular to be held in the capital," said Johnson.

"It underlines the incredible legacy of hosting the London 2012 Games and is a brilliant chance to see some of our Paralympic stars in action.

"Over the coming years, London will be holding the Rugby Union World Cup final, the World Athletics Championships and the final of the Euro 2020 football championships.

"It is fantastic that we can add the NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters to that stellar line-up and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park will provide an inspirational setting for competitors and spectators alike."

Mayor of London Boris Johnson joined Greaa Britain's Jordanne Whiley and South Africans' Lucas Sithole and Kgothatso Monthane for a game of mini tennis at City Hall today ahead of of NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters ©FacebookMayor of London Boris Johnson joined Greaa Britain's Jordanne Whiley and South Africans' Lucas Sithole and Kgothatso Monthane for a game of mini tennis at City Hall today ahead of of NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters ©Facebook



Alongside partner Yui Kamiji of Japan, Whiley won all four Grand Slam events this year - Australian Open, US Open, French Open and Wimbledon - to become the most dominant force in women's wheelchair doubles.

She returns to the venue that she picked up bronze at the London 2012 Paralympic Games alongside partner Lucy Shuker.

"I hope that we'll have lots of fans cheering us Brits on once again, just like we had at the Paralympics and I'm sure that will inspire me to another personal best performance," said Whiley.

"It will be so good to be back at the place where I won my bronze medal in 2012 and relive those fantastic memories.

"After reaching the last four of the NEC Masters on my debut last year I'm excited to see what the Masters holds for me this year."

Only the top eight ranked men's and women's singles players and the top four ranked quad singles players qualify for the year-ending event.

This is the third successive year that there has been at least one Briton in all three competitions at the Masters.

As well the British contingent there will be a host of international stars for the crowd to get behind, including South Africa's Lucas Sithole and Kgothatso Monthane, as well as the likes of Japan's double Paralympic champion Shingo Kunieda and French silver medallist at London 2012 Stéphane Houdet.

Tickets for the NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters can be purchased here.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
September 2014: Calendar Grand Slams galore at US Open as wheelchair doubles play concludes
August 2014: Tickets for end-of-season Wheelchair Tennis Masters at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park go on sale
June 2014: Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre officially opened after £30 million revamp
November 2013: London 2012 medallists visit Olympic Park to mark one-year countdown to Wheelchair Tennis Masters
October 2013: Olympic Park to host Wheelchair Tennis Masters end-of-season finale for next three years