Helensburgh wheelchair tennis player Gordon Reid has been confirmed as the world’s top junior player in the new rankings published by the International Tennis Federation this week.
 
The 17-year-old, who is supported by the West of Scotland Institute of Sport, ended 2008 at No 2 in the International Wheelchair Tennis junior rankings behind Frenchman Nicolas Peifer.  But, with 18-year-old Peifer now too old to qualify as a junior, Reid moves into the top spot. 
 
Reid is the British Men's No 1 and has a current senior world ranking of 26.  His senior rankings points combined with points for winning the 2008 International Wheelchair Tennis Junior Masters in Tarbes, France place him at the top of the Junior Ranking, over 100 points ahead of Dutch 16-year-old Tom Egberink.  
 
Reid returns to Tarbes at the end of this month to defend his boys’ singles and doubles titles at the 2009 International Wheelchair Tennis Junior Masters.

"It's great to be at No 1 in your sport at whatever age, but Tom is not that far behind me," said Reid. 

"I know it's going to be tough to stay there all the way through the year, as I have exams in the summer and quite a few points to defend this season, but I would love to end my final year as a junior at No 1, so we will have to see. 

“My main goal for now is to get my season off to a good start by defending my titles in Tarbes at the end of the month."