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Gordon Reid hoping to follow in footsteps of Andy Murray in Rio

Julian Finney/Getty Images

Wimbledon wheelchair champion Gordon Reid is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Andy Murray by adding a Paralympic gold medal to his first success at SW19.

Murray holds both prestigious titles after clinching gold at London 2012 before securing two Wimbledon triumphs, first in 2013. He followed his 2016 Wimbledon win with Olympic gold in Rio.

Reid is also a reigning Wimbledon champion after he won the tournament's first ever wheelchair singles event, as well as the doubles, to continue a superb year that already included winning the Australian Open title and reaching the French Open final.

The 24-year-old has struck up a strong rapport with Murray in recent months and admits his fellow Scot is a brilliant example to follow.

"Our paths don't cross that often because they obviously have busy schedules but they've been really supportive of me," Reid said. "I caught Andy for a chat at the Wimbledon champions dinner which was great.

"The guy had just won Wimbledon a few hours before and all he asked about was me, what I had coming up, the Paralympics, how many players were in the draw, when I was going out - he never mentioned himself once.

"That sums up the kind of person he is, he really is inspiring. "Then a few days later he was out at the Davis Cup, supporting the team there and training with them. It speaks volumes for his character."

Aged 13, Reid contracted transverse myelitis, a condition that affects the spinal cord and left him without the use of his legs.

Reid, who is from Alexandria, North West of Glasgow, took up wheelchair tennis to stay active and, 11 years later, he is a six-time grand slam champion in singles and doubles events.

Has he ever challenged Murray to a match in the chair?

"He's probably got as much chance as beating me in the chair as I have if I went on my feet and played him running," Reid said.

"I'm pretty sure he'd be a good wheelchair player if he had a few months to get used to it. He'd make a good doubles partner for me, that's for sure."

As well as the singles, Reid will be playing doubles in Brazil alongside his Wimbledon partner Alfie Hewett. He has a realistic chance of sealing gold in both competitions.

Now preparing for his third Paralympic Games, Reid has reached six major finals out of the six available so far this year and won four of them.

"The big difference for me in the Paralympics and the slams is you're representing your country, you've got that flag on your chest and the name on your shirt," Reid added.

"It's bigger than just you as an individual athlete. I've always loved playing for my country, it's an amazing experience and makes you feel part of something bigger."