Scotland’s Jamie Murray and Gordon Reid savour grand slam success in Australia

Contesting his third successive Australian Open and sixth successive Grand Slam men’s doubles final, Reid and Kunieda traded the first two sets with the French duo before racing into a 5-0, 40-15 lead in the third.

Gordon Reid claimed his maiden Grand Slam singles title as he won the wheelchair final at the Australian Open.

Reid, 24, was playing the first major singles final of his career but he showed few nerves, as he overcame Joachim Gerard, of Belgium, 7-6, 6-4.

“I think I’ll be buying them drinks all night to say thank you”, Reid said of the fans and supporters who were with him.

After completing victory in an hour and 37 minutes, Reid flung his racket into the sky before punching the air in celebration.

Despite his triumph, Reid had to be content with runners-up honours in the men’s doubles as he and partner Kunieda lost 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 against France’s Stéphane Houdet and Nicolas Peifer.

“This is what you’re doing it for, this is what you play tennis for so I’ve just gone out there and enjoyed it”.

In a sport that receives very little prize money or attention on the world stage, a first grand slam title for Reid will help enormously and the profile of the sport is also likely to rise.

Reid contracted Transverse Myelitis – a disease affecting the spinal cord – aged 13 and wondered if he would ever be able to pick up a racket again.

“I wish I could hold the trophy but next time”.

Speaking before his second final, Reid said: “They’ve laid on some champagne and beers for me but I’ll let Gary and my friends have those”.

Britain’s Davis Cup captain, Leon Smith, who has known Reid for many years, was courtside throughout and it was fitting that among the first people he should see when he eventually returned to the locker room were Andy and Jamie Murray, who have been following his fortunes closely over the last couple of years. “We were not far and we can do better next time”.