Grand Slam-winning wheelchair tennis player and Season Ticket Holder Andy Lapthorne returns with his regular column...
On Saturday, we ‘welcome’ Tottenham Hotspur to London Stadium in another huge derby under the floodlights here in east London.
This is always a fixture I look out for and a game I, like everyone else at the Club, hates to lose. With the added spice of Mohammed Kudus returning to London Stadium, I am sure everyone will join me in giving him a good east London welcome!
Since the last home game against Chelsea, I jumped on a plane to Orlando in Florida for my preparation for the US Open tournament in New York City.
We went to the USTA national campus in Orlando, which is an incredible facility with everything you could need as a pro tennis player, and perfect preparation for the last Grand Slam of the year.
On arriving in New York I felt at home like I always do, having had some of my biggest wins at the event, winning the Singles in 2014 and 2019, and also having big success in Doubles with four titles.
I started the week with a heartbreaking champions tie-break loss in Doubles playing alongside my partner, the American David Wagner. To lose having had match points is always disappointing.
However, I bounced back well in the Singles, beating Donald Ramphadi of South Africa in the first round and 16-year-old Jin Woodman of Australia in the second round.
My run was ended in the semi-finals by the world No2 Sam Schroder of the Netherlands.
At the age I am at now, 34 soon to be 35, I am starting to look at what’s next and really enjoyed my first steps into the media and broadcasting side of the game by working for the BBC and Sky Sports.
Playing someone less than half my age in the last-eight was definitely a sign that I’ve probably played more Grand Slams than I have left in front of me!
All in all, I have to take the positives of some big wins and look to build towards the end of year Tour finals and then the off-season.
I’d like to thank all my fellow Hammers for the messages of support during the US Open.
As for the football, I received a few strange looks from other players in the locker room as Lucas Paquetá slotted away the penalty and kissed the badge as I roared with delight, held my arms up high and celebrated a fantastic away win at Nottingham Forest last time out.
It was exactly what the Club needed and I’m sure it’s something the lads can build on, hopefully starting against Spurs.
Let’s get behind the team and keep the momentum moving in a positive direction.
Come on you Irons!
Lappo
*The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of West Ham United.
