Express & Star

Jordanne Whiley's French Open preparations going well

Halesowen tennis sensation Jordanne Whiley continued her preparations for the French Open by putting in a series of outstanding displays at the Open des Hauts-de-France.

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The 12-time Grand Slam winner came agonisingly close to winning another LTA event but was ultimately beaten by top seed Yui Kamiji in the final.

Whiley struggled in the first set which she lost 6-0. But she battled back to win the second 6-2.

But it was Japan’s Kamiji who took the final set decider 7-5 and ultimately lift the trophy at the event held in Le Touquet.

Just 24 hours earlier though, Whiley and Kamiji joined forces to win the Open des Hauts-de-France doubles title.

The duo beat second seeds Macarena Cabrillana and Aniek van Koot 6-3, 6-3.

Whiley will now aim to add to her long list of Grand Slam titles when she competes in the French Open at Roland Garros next week.

The 28-year-old will compete in both the women’s wheelchair singles and doubles.

Speaking last week, Whiley revealed she believes becoming a mum has helped improve her as a tennis player and how she approaches the sport.

“It wasn’t until I had my son that I realised that there is more to life than sport,” she said.

“It’s a strange one because I feel, for me, to get the best out of my sport, I had to take my focus away from the sport.

“When I had my son and completely fell in love with him, I became really happy doing normal things.

“At that time I was only doing about 10 or 15 hours a week training whereas my competitors were probably doing between 20 and 30 hours.

“But I was beating them and playing really well because I was happy.

“Before if I wasn’t playing well I felt the answer was to do more hours.

“But if I did more hours I was under more pressure because I was more tired.

“That’s why I believe this last year has been quite good, kind of a blessing in disguise, because I have had all this time out.

“I have had time to reflect, I have had more time with my family. I have been happy.

“I’ve been able to decorate my house, simple things.

“I’ve come back, I am refreshed and feel good in myself and I’m playing good tennis because of it.”