Andy Lapthorne was overcome with emotion as clinched his first LTA British Open Wheelchair Tennis Championships title in Nottingham.
The top seed and world number four got the better of Australian Heath Davidson in straight sets 6-4 6-3 in the quad singles to take the win after five final defeats in the event.
An early break in the first set put him in control of the match and he quickly found himself a double break clear in the second.
Davidson battled back and earned his first break of the match, but in the end Lapthorne held his nerve to see out the win and it was clear how much it meant to him to finally break his British Open hoodoo.
He said: “After losing here five times in the final, that was needed. It’s just amazing to win here, I know what it’s like to lose here.
“I’ve lost finals from match point up and I’ve obviously lost to Heath in the last two tournaments. He’s been playing great tennis so congratulations to him on a great summer, he’s done great things.
“I knew I was going to have to play well out here. One of my great friends from home, Pistol Pete (Moore), who used to play here a lot, he’s not great at home at the moment and I just tried to use that to inspire me and push me on and he got me through.
“Thanks to everyone for the support in the crowd this week, you’ve been amazing for an ITF one. It’s probably the best in the world so thank you to everyone for coming.”
Feltham’s Lapthorne, who recently reached the final of Wimbledon in the quad doubles, will now turn his attention to the US Open, where has won both of his Grand Slam singles titles.
For more information on the LTA’s British Open Wheelchair Tennis Championships click here
