West Ham United supporting multiple major-winning tennis champion Andy Lapthorne has been made an MBE for his services to the sport in the King’s Birthday Honours.
Lapthorne, who has cerebral palsy and competes in quad wheelchair competitions, has been at the top of the game for 20 years, having turned professional in 2005.
Now 34 and still ranked fourth in the world in the quad category for players who have substantial loss of function in at least one upper limb, Lapthorne has won two US Open singles, a Paralympic silver medal and reached the final of all the other major singles tournaments, the French Open, US Open and Wimbledon. He has 58 singles titles to his name in total.
Lapthorne has also won an incredible 14 major quad doubles titles, including eight Australian Opens, four US Opens, two French Opens and two Wimbledons. He also won silver at London 2012 and Paris 2024, becoming the first quad wheelchair tennis player to represent Team GB at four Paralympic Games.
Off the court, Lapthorne is a big West Ham fan and travelled all over the world supporting the Irons, most notably during their recent European campaigns, and has visited the Club’s Foundation on numerous occasions to inspire participants and play tennis with Tomáš Souček and Vladimír Coufal.
Now, his contribution to tennis has been recognised by King Charles III as part of his Official Birthday celebrations in June.
A delighted Lapthorne told whufc.com: “It’s amazing, really. I was not expecting this at all! I’ve been in the game a long time now and am obviously turning 35 this year and I’ve been a pro since I was 16.
“It’s a huge honour for me and my family and it’s great that someone from a working-class background can hopefully be an inspiration to others from similar working-class backgrounds that anything is achievable.
“Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to be getting a letter through the door about an MBE, so thank you to my family and friends for all their years of support and for everything they have given me. It’s amazing!”
After reaching the semi-finals of the quad singles and doubles at the recent French Open, Lapthorne is now preparing for the grass court season, during which he will compete at Eastbourne, the British Open at Roehampton, and Wimbledon.
Everyone at West Ham United would like to congratulate Andy on being made an MBE and wish him every success for this summer and the future!
Former West Ham United manager David Moyes has been appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to football. Click HERE for more.
