Eastbourne According to Abbie: “To even share a court with a player like Yui is just like a dream”

Abbie Breakwell is a British tennis player whose star is well and truly on the rise and during the inaugural wheelchair tennis draw at Eastbourne crowds have been able to watch her on court alongside some of the worlds best in the women’s game.

She’s also a great character and ambassador for the sport of wheelchair tennis and so we’ve asked her to give us her thoughts on life competing at Devonshire Park. Over to you Abbie…..

Abbie Breakwell with Yui Kamiji in the players area in Eastbourne after their match. They are both smiling and are hugging each other — Abbie took on Yui in her opening singles match in Eastbourne ©Sarah Breakwell

I’m really proud to be playing in the inaugural wheelchair tennis tournament in Eastbourne.

It is brilliant to be playing at a tournament alongside the WTA and ATP tour players helping to raise awareness of our sport. Hearing some of the children asking questions about our wheelchairs and how do we play is just great.

I really enjoyed my match, playing world number 2 was just such a positive experience. I know some may look at the score and think well you did not take a game. But for me it’s not about that today.

It’s about setting realistic goals and achieving those goals . To even share a court with a player like Yui (Kamiji) is just like a dream. I have so much to learn and playing these sorts of matches is only going to benefit me for the future and spurs me on to improve and to be a better player like them.

Abbie on the practice courts in Eastbourne she is having a fun doubles hit with Yui — Abbie relishes every opportunity to get on court with the top ten players as it “spurs (her) on” to keep improving her own game ©Sarah Breakwell

It was quite surreal and a pinch myself moment being asked to have photos with spectators and to sign autographs…oh and having security escorting us to and from court was quite odd and not something I’m used to at all.

I obviously did not get to see Corns (Cornelia Oosthuizen) match as I was playing and was eating for most of Ruby’s (Bishop) match.

Abbie sits courtside to watch the other matches at Eastbourne — Once she finished playing Abbie sat courtside to cheer on fellow Brit Lucy Shuker
©Sarah Breakwell

I did watch most of Lucy’s match though, and it was just fantastic to see so many spectators lining both sides of the court, clapping and appreciating the skills we have as players.

Unfortunately it was not the best day for results for the Brits. But we dust ourselves off and pick ourselves up and tomorrow we go again, learning everyday.

Abbie Breakwell talks to young fans after her first match — Abbie is at home talking to fans off court as she is hitting impressive groundstrokes on court ©Sarah Breakwell

I tell you something that was funny,. A young girl and her dad asked for my autograph and a photo. I spent a few mins talking to her as she is having tennis lessons and then took her over to Diede (de Groot), Corn and Yui so she could get their autographs. Which this girl was over the moon about.

The girl was bouncing about and her dad said he wanted to buy me ice cream as he wanted to thank me…but I’m an athlete you know so I kindly said no.