At just 17 years old, Australia’s top ranked quad wheelchair player Jin Woodman is continuing his rise on the world stage, heading into next week’s Wimbledon championships in career best form.
The world No.5 has extended his breakthrough European grasscourt swing, reaching the WC1000 British Open Roehampton final following a semi-final upset over world No.1 Niels Vink.
The result comes just days after Woodman claimed the WC500 Eastbourne Open title – the first grasscourt singles title of his career, in the first grasscourt tournament he ever contested.
The Victorian defeated Gregory Slade in the opening round before producing back-to-back victories over world No.2 Sam Schroder and second seed Ahmet Kaplan to lift the Eastbourne trophy.
“I never played on grass coming to the UK, I had to rely on my own toolkit and had to believe in myself and what I could potentially do,” Woodman said.
“I wasn't really worried about winning or losing, I just wanted to get the feel of grass and see where I'm at. My plan out there was just to have fun.
“Coming from no experience on grass to winning the entire tournament meant a lot to me.”
Woodman will head into Wimbledon full of confidence after a title in Eastbourne and a runner-up finish in Roehampton, aiming to continue his impressive form on grass.
“Wimbledon is going to be fun as well because it's where a lot of crowds come in to watch wheelies, to showcase that we are capable as well as the able bodied [players].”
The Wimbledon quad wheelchair singles tournament begins on Wednesday 8 July.