Virtus World Tennis Championships 2024: GB learning disability tennis team aim to replicate success in Vichy
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After returning home the most decorated tennis team of the Virtus Global Games last year, the GB learning disability tennis team prepare for a new challenge as the next biggest fixture of the international calendar awaits them across the Channel - the Virtus World Tennis Championships.
From the 7-15 September, the world’s top players with an intellectual impairment will be reunited in the medieval town of Annecy, France for the seventh edition of the World Championships.
The GB tennis team selections are managed by the LTA, with entry to the event made possible by SportExcel, the official Great Britain member of Virtus.
Virtus follow a classification process whereby all players are selected with consideration to their level of intellectual impairment, separating them into three different classes/draws:
- II-1 – for athletes with an intellectual impairment
- II-2 – for athletes with a more significant intellectual impairment
- II-3 - for athletes with autism
The following players have been announced to represent Great Britain:
Women’s II-1
- Anna McBride
- Lily Mills
Men’s II-1
- Dominic Iannotti
- Fabrice Higgins
- Oliver Beadle
- Aidan Moody
Men’s II-2
- Robbie Hampshaw
Preview
Britain’s Anna McBride’s phenomenal performances over recent years has seen her continue to dominate at the top of the women’s II-1 category.
In just two years, McBride cemented world No.1 status in the Virtus world rankings after remaining undefeated in both the women’s II-1 singles and doubles at the Australian Open PwII Championships.
Not only did the 21-year-old make history for herself and country upon learning disability tennis’ entry into a Grand Slam, but she also accounted for 50% of GB’s success at the 2023 Virtus Global Games after bringing home the gold in both the women’s singles and mixed doubles on debut.
With her name quickly becoming one to be feared on the international circuit, McBride will enter her maiden appearance at the Virtus World Tennis Championships a strong favourite, chased by Belgium’s Hanne Lavreysen and, home favourite, France’s Blanc Eva.
Iannotti, who joined McBride on the podium after winning gold in the mixed doubles at the Virtus Global Games, will be among the most experienced of the squad having played elite level tennis from the young age of 14.
Five years ago, Iannotti’s breakout year saw him become world champion whilst representing his country, winning a total four medals across four disciplines at the 2019 INAS Global Games.
His success down under catapulted him to world No.1, where he remained for three successive years.
Iannotti’s double partner, and long-term friend, Fabrice Higgins has also been announced in the seven-strong squad to compete for medals in the mountainous Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
Former triple world champion Higgins also holds an illustrious record for his country, rewriting history by securing Great Britain’s first gold medal at the 2013 World Tennis Championships.
Meanwhile, the 2023 Virtus Global Games men’s II-1 doubles bronze medallist Oliver Beadle will be on the hunt for a second alongside Lily Mills, who finished runner-up in the women’s team event with McBride.
Robbie Hampshaw will make his World Tennis Championships debut in the men’s II-2 event, while II-1 star Aidan Moody rejoins the squad which dazzled in Vichy last season to mark his maiden appearance at the Worlds alongside Beadle, Mills and McBride.
How to get involved
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