Jordanne Whiley

23 year old Jordanne Whiley is Britain’s most decorated tennis player of all time, with an amazing total of seven grand slams, including the US Open singles title she won last year. Although suffering from brittle bone disease, Whiley started playing tennis from a very young age, encouraged a great deal by her Paralympian father. Having become Britain’s youngest national women’s singles champion in wheelchair tennis at just 14, Whiley has her sights set firmly on winning big at both Rio and Wimbledon this summer.

1. What was your biggest career break?

Winning my first ever singles major, the US Open, at the end of last year.

2. Have you had a notable mentor – and if so what was it about them that was so inspiring?

My dad got me into tennis and has always been involved in my career but he also taught me how to deal with my disability.

3. What one piece of advice would you give to the 20-year-old you?

As I am only 23, I think I would have to go back further and speak to the 16 year old me and say "start committing yourself more because you have the ability to be great"

4. What qualities to do you look for in the people you work with?

People who are honest and understanding.

5. Who do you admire and why?

The Queen, simply because she is a remarkable woman!

6. What does the future of your career look like?

Hopefully with many medals and titles to my name. I would like to be able to say "I am the best in the world at what I do."

7. If you hadn’t chosen your current career, what would you have done instead?

I was studying to be a coroner before I chose to professionally pursue tennis.

8. What is your biggest extravagance?

My Rolex.

9. Who would you invite to your dream dinner party and why? (you can invite three people – they must be alive)

Ian Somerhalder, the Duchess of Cambridge and Maria Sharapova.