Singles to be contested at Wimbledon for first time

Men’s world No. 1 Stephane Houdet and women’s top seed Jiske Griffionen are preparing for the Wimbledon wheelchair tennis events from Thursday (7 July), where they will aim to claim historic inaugural singles titles.

Since 2005 wheelchair tennis has featured at Wimbledon, but only in the doubles format.

The world's top men and women, plus a wildcard, will compete at the All England Club, as well as in the doubles.

France’s Houdet will be aiming to use his Wimbledon doubles experience to his advantage in the singles.

The 45-year-old has won the doubles three times and will be looking to add the singles title to his vast array of Grand Slam accolades.

But Houdet's long-time rival Shingo Kunieda will be also ready to take the title.

The Japanese star and former world No. 1 may not be having the best season, but his experience and Grand Slam performances position him as a main threat, especially coming into the tournament seeded sixth.

31-year-old Griffioen tops the women’s singles seedings and with compatriot Roland Garros champion Marjolein Buis, a winner could come from the Netherlands.

Great Britain’s Jordanne Whiley is also a firm favourite as she displays her best tennis every time the home crowd gets behind her.

Whiley will face fellow British player Lucy Shuker in her opening match.

Reigning men's doubles champions Argentina’s Gustavo Fernandez and France’s Nicolas Peifer return, as do the women's double champions Whiley and Japan’s Yui Kamiji, who will be looking to achieving a hat-trick at Wimbledon Championships.

Results will be available on the Wimbledon website.