Tennis star Jordanne Whiley gets university honour following Paralympics success
British number one wheelchair tennis player Jordanne Whiley MBE has been awarded an honorary degree from the University of Wolverhampton.
The Honorary Doctorate of Letters was presented in recognition of her achievements as a wheelchair tennis player from the Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing.
The Halesowen-born Paralympic medallist, who returned from Rio this week with her bronze medal said she was humbled to have received her award.
Speaking after receiving her award at Wolverhampton's Grand Theatre, she said: "I can't thank the University of Wolverhampton enough for presenting me with this Honorary Degree.
"It is something that I never expected as I've never been to university.
"It's amazing and I am extremely humbled by the whole thing. I hope my story can inspire others – you don't have to look a certain way to be successful and be happy."
Jordanne is a Paralympic wheelchair tennis player who was born with brittle bone disease which means she has broken her legs over 26 times.
At 14 she became the youngest ever national champion and at 16 she qualified for the Beijing Paralympics.
In 2012 she became the first woman, alongside her doubles partner, to win a Paralympic bronze medal in wheelchair tennis and since then her career has really taken off.
In 2014 she and her Japanese doubles partner netted their first ever grand slam title winning the Australian open, and making history by winning all four grand slams in one year – the first time a British player has won all titles in grand slam competitions.
In 2015 Jordanne won her first ever grand slam singles title at the US Open, beating her doubles partner and defending champion in the final.
A month later she was awarded an MBE for her services to wheelchair tennis.
Now 24 and ranked number three in the world she has nine grand slam titles to her name which makes her the most decorated British tennis player of all time.
Speaking about Team GB's efforts at the Paralympics in Rio she said: "Team GB have done incredible. To contribute to that with my bronze is really special as well."
