Gordon Reid on the Winning Mindset

A week before his 13th birthday, Gordon Reid found himself stripped of the ability to use his legs, a profound setback for anyone, and especially heart-breaking for a 12-year-old sports enthusiast. Wheelchair tennis emerged as Reid’s avenue to surpass even his own sporting aspirations. Yet, prior to savouring triumph, he navigated challenging moments, confronting the reality of life without the use of his legs.

Now, – at the age of 32 – a Scottish Paralympic gold, silver, and bronze medallist, two-time Grand Slam singles champion, 25-time Grand Slam double’s champion, and OBE holder, Gordon discusses resilience, mental strength, and the physical demands of being a world-class athlete.

Hi Gordon, to kick things off, could you share a bit about your early years?

I was born in Alexandria and raised in Helensburgh, a coastal town on the west of Scotland. I grew up in a very sporty family and was a sporty kid from a young age. I have two younger brothers and an older sister – growing up we were involved in a variety of sports: gymnastics, cross-country running, football…but you’d often find us on the courts of Helensburgh Lawn Tennis Club.

Can you tell us a little bit about your journey into wheelchair tennis?

When I turned 12, I developed a neurological condition called transverse myelitis, and that’s when I had to start using a wheelchair to enable me to continue in sport. Facing the tough reality without a quick fix or known cure, support from loved ones became crucial. Whether it was my mum’s constant presence by my hospital bed or friends sacrificing evenings to visit me, their strength aided my recovery.

I found out about wheelchair tennis when I was leaving hospital. My mum came across a club in Glasgow, I tried it once and loved it, and that’s where my journey began.

Many people may not be overly familiar with wheelchair tennis, can you explain the unique challenges and joys that come with playing the sport at a Paralympic level?

I think the biggest challenge lies in mastering manoeuvrability, court movement, and the precise timing, judgement, and rhythm required for striking the ball. It takes a long time to learn and master and something that I’m still trying to improve on.

There are so many joys that come with the sport. I get to do a lot of travelling and as we’re a summer sport, we spend a lot of time following the sun. Wheelchair tennis is a small community, I’ve met a lot of great people along the way who I’m still close with, and still sometimes compete against. So, the friendships and relationships are another great element of the sport.

Competing at such a high level requires both physical and mental stamina. How do you balance your training regimen to ensure you’re at your best, both physically and mentally, when it matters most?

Typical training doesn’t exist too often and there’s a lot of times you’re working around journeys and jet lag. I’m a full-time athlete so for me it looks like roughly travelling half the year. That’s to tournaments, but also to training camps and climatisation days before events. When I’m back in Scotland, I train six days a week and that’s a combination of tennis on the court and physical work in the gym which includes speed, agility, and endurance work in my wheelchair. And then all the things that come along with being a professional athlete such as match analysis, physio sessions, rehab, psychology work…it’s really the hours you put in when no one’s watching that sets you up for the big moments when all eyes are on you.

After 17 years in the industry, how do you maintain a positive mindset during gruelling training days or when facing tough opponents?

Motivation for me stems from the potential reward. The more effort and consistency I invest, the greater my chance of success, and enjoyment! Plus, the new generation of players, hitting the ball harder and faster, keeps me on my toes, driving me to adapt and improve as an athlete.

In terms of mental health, being around others is my go-to. After a tough day or a big loss, laughter and fun with people, discussing anything but tennis, helps me reset from intensity to normalcy.

You’ve achieved remarkable success in your career. How do you manage the pressure of expectations, and what advice would you give to others striving for excellence in their respective fields?

In my career, especially when success started coming in, I used to see anything other than winning a title as a failure – not just for me, but for my team. Putting that much pressure on myself was never going to be a positive thing. The key advice I’d offer is to detach from external opinions and focus on the input of trusted individuals. It’s common to get tunnel vision when you’re motivated and focused on something, but pushing through distractions is the best way to stay on course.

As we highlight the positive aspects of wheelchair tennis, how do you think the sport contributes to breaking down stereotypes and promoting inclusivity in the broader world of athletics?

The Paralympics in London 2012 had a big impact on this country – it changed people’s attitudes and opinions towards Paralympic sport and people with disabilities in general. I often found previous conversations I had with people to be inadvertently negative or condescending, whereas now people take a genuine interest and are more open-minded. Questions I receive are now generally more about the intricacies of the sport, rather than, you know…how I get myself out of bed!

Can you share a specific career-defining moment?

I think the one that stands out is winning Gold at the 2016 Paralympics in Rio. When I began my wheelchair tennis journey, the Paralympics was always the goal, and gold was always the dream. It was instilled in me from day one by my peers and teammates that that was the pinnacle of the sport. To be the first-ever men’s singles gold medallist is an incredible accolade, and probably the moment I’d choose to relive again if I could.

You are constantly on the move, travelling and competing all over the world. When you return to Scotland, could you share some of your favourite places to visit or things to do?

The first thing I do is schedule a trip up to Inverness. I have family up there and I’ve really grown to love it. It’s lovely and peaceful, and a welcome escape from the hustle and bustle of Glasgow and Edinburgh. Other than that, I’m a big football fan, so I try and make it to home games as much as I can. Plus, it’s always great to be able to spend a day in the capital, you’re never short of things to do or see, and there’s almost always a new restaurant opening that I’m keen to try.

Finally, can you share a glimpse into your goals and aspirations for the future, both in your athletic career and beyond?

Well, I have no plans to stop playing anytime soon! I plan to compete in the 2024 Paralympics in Paris, and then Los Angeles in 2028. After that, I’m open-minded to what comes next. I’d love to be involved in the sport in some capacity, trying to improve it and keep it moving in the positive direction I believe it’s going. I’d also like the opportunity to do more work with the charities I’m currently involved with and continue to have a positive impact on the sporting community.

Catch Gordon competing at the Paris Paralympics from August 28th on Channel 4.