OXFORDSHIRE student Oliver Cox believes he is a better player than last year as he looks to make an impression in his home county this weekend.

Twelve months ago, the 16-year-old from Watchfield reached the quad singles and doubles finals at the Lawn Tennis Association’s Abingdon Futures wheelchair tennis tournament, in what was his senior debut.

The Faringdon Community College student returns as a world champion, after a season during which he made a winning debut for Great Britain’s junior team at May’s World Team Cup in Portugal and claimed his first international doubles title at August’s Vilnius Open in Lithuania.

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Cox, who will be contesting his ninth international tournament of the year, said of his World Team Cup gold medal: “It’s awesome, it’s definitely not something I was expecting at the start of the year.

“I’ve always thought I can win from any situation I’m in, but things like the victory in the Vilnius final from three match points down is evidence that I can dig deep when required.

“There are a lot wider range of tactics when you’re playing senior players, so I’ve learnt to think clever this year. I’m a lot better player than I was a year ago. I just want to play consistent tennis, play as well as I can and see what happens.”

Cox is one of 33 players from 10 countries that will contest the men’s, women’s and quad singles and doubles draws during the three-day tournament. He is set to be second seed for the quad singles behind fellow Brit Greg Slade, who made his Wimbledon debut in July.