DEFENDING quad singles champion Oliver Cox is looking forward to returning to his home tournament off the back of a successful 2024.

The 17-year-old, from Watchfield, joins Paris 2024 Paralympians Abbie Breakwell and Dahnon Ward as the leading Brits at the Abingdon Futures Wheelchair Tennis Tournament this weekend.

Cox has enjoyed his best season to date in 2024, after winning his first international singles title in the quad division, for players whose disability impacts both lower and upper limbs, in Abingdon 12 months ago.

He’s also won titles in Lithuania and Switzerland this year, and is relishing a return to his home tournament.

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He said: “I don’t know that being defending champion makes much difference, but it’s really great to be returning to Abingdon to play on courts I’ve played on so much in the past.

“It’s a brilliant environment and only 40 minutes from home for me. I definitely feel like I’m playing better than last year, but then again, I guess so are others, but I’ve had a really good season so far.”

Breakwell won her first international title in Abingdon back in 2019, in the women’s doubles, and the women’s top seed will be aiming for the singles title after finishing runner-up in 2022 and 2023. Ward, 19, won his first international men’s singles title in Abingdon two years ago.

Play is scheduled to start at 9am on Friday at the White Horse Leisure and Tennis Centre, running through until Sunday. Entry is free for spectators.