British wheelchair tennis has started 2009 with another historic double after Gordon Reid and Jordanne Whiley were confirmed as the world No 1 junior players.
Taking over the top spot from Frenchman Nicolas Peifer who is now too old to qualify as a junior, Reid sits just ahead of Dutchman Tom Egberink with 593 ranking points.
The 17 year-old from Helensburgh enjoyed a fantastic 2008, highlighted by winning the prestigious boys’ singles and doubles titles at the International Wheelchair Tennis Junior Masters in Tarbes.
"It's great to be at No 1 in your sport at whatever age, but Tom is not that far behind me," said Reid, who will return to Tarbes later this month to defend the titles he won last year.
"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.”
Having ended 2008 ranked No 3, Whiley has also benefited from players moving into the senior ranks, jumping to the top spot above Dutchwoman Aniek Van Koot and German Katharina Kruger.
Like Reid, the Halesowen based 16-year-old will travel to Tarbes at the end of January to defend the girls’ singles and doubles titles she has won for the last two years.
"To be a world No 1 is an ambition for any player and while I knew it was coming up, because of Aniek and Katharina's ages, it's still great to have it confirmed," said Whiley.
"I have two seasons left as a junior and the challenge now will be to stay there. I have lots of points to defend from senior tournaments this season and we will have to see how it goes, but my next focus is Tarbes."
Reid and Whiley already have the distinction of being Britain's youngest ever senior national champions after securing their first titles in 2007 at the ages of 14 and 15 respectively.
Photo: Gordon Reid (by James Jordan)