Wimbledon wheelchair tennis championships begin as quarter-finalists battle on

Wheelchair tennis championships will begin at Wimbledon on the tournament’s 10th day as quarter-final battles continue.

British wheelchair players Alfie Hewett, Gordon Reid, Lucy Shuker, Andy Lapthorne and Greg Slade will start their bids for the title.

Hewett believes he has the “weapons, heart and mentality” to win at SW19 and complete a clean sweep of grand slam singles titles.

Hewett feels his grass-court game is in the best shape ever and is confident it is only a matter of time until he lifts the elusive trophy.

Remaining quarter-finalists will battle on Centre Court and Court One to join Elina Svitolina, Novak Djokovic, Marketa Vondrousova and Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals.

Matches could see suspensions again on Wednesday as the Met Office warned of heavy and thundery showers with intermittent sunny spells after an unwelcome visit from rain at SW19 on Tuesday.

The unseeded Ukrainian, who only gave birth to her daughter Skai nine months ago, had to wait almost 30 seconds for unrelenting cheering to die down before starting her on-court interview.

The 28-year-old, when asked how she will spend the next day-and-a-half, told an appreciative audience: “First of all, I’m going to have a beer probably.”

Speaking to reporters after her win, she praised Harry Styles’ “very sweet” message to her on Instagram – telling her she was welcome his concerts after she confessed her tournament run forced her to give away a ticket – and expressed hopes of attending a gig of his “one day”.

“I got really massive amount of messages from last round. I didn’t really check my phone yet today, but I think there will be a lot of messages, a lot of news.

“I’m happy I can bring little happiness to their life.

“There was many videos also on internet where the kids are watching on their phones. This really makes my heart melt seeing this.”

Former world number one Caroline Wozniacki and former British number one Johanna Konta also expressed excitement at returning to the grass courts of SW19.

Retired Konta, who has a 10-month-old daughter, said tennis has a “blueprint” for female players to succeed in the game after becoming mothers and praised the accommodations made at Wimbledon “especially” – adding that her daughter has been in the creche in the grounds.

More celebrities flocked to south-west London to enjoy the tennis on Tuesday.

Among them was ballet dancer Dame Darcey Bussell, actor Stephen Fry, sports presenter and former athlete Dame Denise Lewis and singer Jess Glynne.