Nottingham's Abbie Breakwell is determined to accentuate the positives of her Paralympic debut in Paris. The 21-year-old from Long Eaton exited the women's wheelchair singles to American Maylee Phelps in the first round on Saturday, going down 6-3 6-4. It followed less than 24 hours after she lost in straight sets in the women's doubles with Lucy Shuker on Roland Garros's famous Suzanne Lenglen show court.
Despite the early exits, Breakwell, who is part of Aldi’s Nearest and Dearest programme in partnership with ParalympicsGB, is adamant that the experience has been valuable. "It was definitely a match going that I thought I had a possibility of winning," she said. "It wasn’t a guarantee but it was definitely a chance but that just wasn’t to be so I'm disappointed."
Breakwell acknowledges the importance of mental preparation in high-pressure situations. "I need to work a lot more on my psychological side of what to do in certain scenarios in these big games. Don’t get me wrong, I have worked on that, and it has got a lot better over the time I’ve been playing, especially in the past year. I had a lot of opportunities there to gain games and I just didn’t quite take them. I’ve only been playing nine years, and this is my first ever Paralympics. To be here is just an honour in itself."
The Journey of a Paralympian
Breakwell, a rising star in the world of wheelchair tennis, reflects on her journey to the Paralympics. "It's exactly eight years since my first national competition as a junior, I'm really proud of that journey and not many people can call themselves a Paralympian." She recognizes the significance of her achievement and the unique opportunity to compete on a global stage.
Looking Ahead
Breakwell's focus now shifts towards the future as she aims to climb the world rankings and gain entry into Grand Slam events. "Breakwell will still take home plenty of positive memories from Paris as she looks to climb the world rankings and start contesting Grand Slam events." The experience of playing at Roland Garros, the first Grand Slam venue to host the Paralympic Games, has been invaluable for her. "You want to play at the big venues, going out on Centre Court and seeing all those people watching wheelchair tennis was huge for me,” added Breakwell. “It's great exposure for the sport."
The Importance of Camaraderie
Beyond the competitive spirit, Breakwell values the camaraderie among her fellow athletes. "Being here with friends I've come through the ranks with, like Gregory Slade and Dahnon Ward, that's been special too. Experiencing it all together for the first time is a really good memory." This shared experience has fostered a strong sense of community and support among the athletes.
A Paralympic Debut to Remember
Despite the disappointing results on the court, Abbie Breakwell has made a successful Paralympic debut. She embraces the experience and the lessons learned, fueling her determination to achieve even greater heights in the future. Her commitment to the sport and her inspiring journey serve as a testament to the power of perseverance and a dedication to excellence. Breakwell's story is one of resilience, growth, and a passion for wheelchair tennis that promises to continue to inspire both on and off the court. Aldi are proud Official Partners of Team GB & ParalympicsGB, supporting all athletes through to Paris 2024.
