Talking Tennis with… Abbie Breakwell, GB’s rising star of wheelchair tennis
We spoke to Abbie Breakwell, one of the brightest prospects in wheelchair tennis, about representing her country, overcoming adversity and the power tennis has to transform lives…
“…Tennis helped me to accept my disability is not a negative in my life, but can be a positive, as it has opened up a world of opportunities I may never have had otherwise. Don't let anyone ever tell you that you cannot make a difference or achieve, because you can! …”
Nineteen year-old Abbie Breakwell is enjoying a meteoric rise in women’s wheelchair tennis. As a Junior she reached number two in the world, and in her first few months on the senior tour she has already achieved a singles ranking of 37 (31 for doubles) and been selected to represent Great Britain at the 2022 World Team Cup along with Lucy Shuker… all while juggling her studies at Loughborough University. She was the 2022 BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport) Women’s Champion, and has been selected as a Batonbearer for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
We first encountered Abbie on the My Tennis Journey podcast and we immediately fell in love with her positivity and can-do attitude. She’s a true inspiration and we couldn’t wait to introduce you all to her…
When did you first fall in love with tennis?
I was a ball crew member at the Wheelchair Tennis British Open in Nottingham in 2015, where I attended a come and try it session. It was actually the first time I had been in a wheelchair.
I played for over two hours and absolutely loved it. I can truly say this was the moment that changed my life and my tennis journey began.
Since you weren’t previously a wheelchair user, how did you find adjusting to moving and playing in such a new way?
I really had to push myself… Tony Knappett, the England engagement officer, had to spend ages with me that day showing me how to push and turn the wheelchair, as my co-ordination was shocking and I found it quite difficult to start with.
My hands were full of blisters by the end of the session, but it clearly did not put me off!
Abbie’s first training session with coach Martyn Whait in 2015
You also play other wheelchair sports. Do they help with your tennis - and have you now had to specialise in tennis to progress your career?
I have always been sporty and loved trying new and different sports. But up until trying wheelchair tennis, I had not tried other disability sports. I met other people with disabilities and was invited to have a go at wheelchair basketball at the Derby Wheelblazers Club and also wheelchair racing at the Coventry Godivas Club. Both clubs were very welcoming and I really enjoyed both of them for different reasons.
Wheelchair basketball is such a fast paced game, and it’s just a great feeling to be part of a team game. I loved that element, as wheelchair tennis is quite an insular sport at times. Playing wheelchair basketball also helped my on court speed to increase, so the benefits of cross training were clear to see.
This was the same for wheelchair racing, as it massively helped my cardiovascular fitness and stamina. I took part in two London Mini Marathon races where I placed 4th in my first attempt and 2nd in the next. Unfortunately due to Covid cancelling the event, I could not improve my placing the following year, but to help me maintain my fitness during lockdown I would do 5Km-12Km pushes at my local park.
I would encourage anyone to have a go at as many different sports before choosing one as it's not a one size fits all. Although I really enjoyed both other sports, when my tennis hours started to increase and became more focused, I just simply did not have the time to attend all clubs. But I am still in touch with them and the door was left open for the future.
What is a typical training schedule for you? How do you balance university with your tennis?
In December 2021 after a tremendous amount of hard training and progress in my tennis, I learnt I had been promoted within the LTA wheelchair tennis pathway. It was an amazing feeling to have all the hard work acknowledged! This meant an increase of training, so my schedule is now about 20 hours a week on court with my coaches and hitters, along with two to three hours off court in the gym with strength and conditioning training. This is alongside studying my Exercise and Sports Therapy degree as a fulltime student at Loughborough.
I have to say my schedule is incredibly hectic and can be extremely challenging at times. I travel abroad every month for tournaments so I have to be immensely self-disciplined to keep up with lessons and all my work, including studying online. I couldn’t do it without all the support I receive from Loughborough Sports College and Loughborough University, as well as my note takers, course advisors and lecturers, the LTA, my coaches and of course my family - they’re all absolutely amazing, and it just proves that with the correct support team and mindset, doing so much is definitely possible.
What is your proudest moment as a player?
Without doubt, being selected to represent Great Britain at the World Team Cup is the proudest moment so far in my career. When you are selected you know for quite some time before the event, but the news is embargoed, so you have to keep it a secret, which can be difficult!
Then receiving the kit with the Union Jack is so exciting, and wearing it as I push out onto court is a feeling like no other.
What has tennis given you, from a personal point of view?
I always struggled at school, although most people did not see the struggle as I tried to hide it by joining in as much as I could. But being the only student in school in splints and then in a wheelchair, and with learning difficulties, made me different to my peers, and particularly as a teenager that was hard hitting and difficult to accept at times.
My parents and family never treated me differently to my sister and always encouraged me to join in and showed me a positive life and supported me fully in everything I do. However, at times that was still hard and I would find it difficult to fit in sometimes and that affected my self confidence.
But playing wheelchair tennis and becoming a tennis coach has helped me to realise that being different is absolutely ok, and has helped me to gain self belief and confidence in my own abilities, while showing determination is key and proves a ‘never give up’ attitude that wheelchair tennis and my parents instilled in me is so important.
It helped me to accept my disability is not a negative in my life, but also can be a positive, as it has opened up a world of opportunities I may never have had otherwise. Don't let anyone ever tell you that you cannot make a difference or achieve, because you can!
Abbie competing at the inaugural GB Team Battle
Who or what is your biggest inspiration?
I would say my parents, sister and family are my biggest inspirations!
While growing up my mum was ill, on two occasions we had to go to the hospital to say goodbye to her, as the doctors did not think she would survive. She had so many different treatments and operations. But she never gave up! With amazing positive encouragement and support from my dad, my sister, me and family, she fought so hard and this is where I think I get my determination and never give up attitude from. Fortunately she survived and is here watching me realise my dreams.
My sister demonstrated the same when she was diagnosed with a brain tumor and and brain aneurysm while at university training to be a teacher. She got the diagnosis and treatment plan, we laughed and cried, we talked a lot, we sat and named them Tiny the tumor and Annie the aneurysm, and she went back to uni to carry on her life and never gave up her dreams. I am so proud to say three years later she qualified as a teacher and got a 1st in her degree and outstanding in her teaching. When the tough gets going, we don't run, we stand together as one!
My family are always there supporting me no matter where I am in the world, either in person or on a video call, no matter the time of day or night. My family are there for the good times and the bad times. They see me at my weakest points, when life is not always going to plan and I am stressed, when I am in immense severe pain, when I’ve lost important matches - they are honest with me, and lift me up when needed and keep my feet on the ground. And they are there to celebrate my wins, my achievements and all the best parts of my life too.
I could never do what I do without them standing by my side, no matter what.
What are the biggest challenges you still face - what more could be done for other wheelchair players following in your footsteps?
The biggest challenges I and other wheelchair tennis players face is the lack of funding. During my six years of playing, wheelchair tennis has seen many positive changes within the sport, such as being included in all the Grand Slams around the world. It has become much more professional, and the standard of play has increased.
However the draw sizes at Grand Slam levels need to be increased further to give more players bigger and better opportunities, and equality in prize money need to reflect the hard work and dedication wheelchair players put in, and should be comparable to able-bodied players.
Last year I had the opportunity to play against top ranked wheelchair tennis players at a tournament in Birmingham, which was run alongside a WTA tour tournament. It was an amazing experience, and it would be great to see this replicated at more tournaments in the UK and around the world to help promote our sport.
I receive some funding from the LTA, however I still need to privately raise thousands of pounds every year in order to fund travel, tournament fees, hotels, equipment and training costs in my tennis journey. All of which is becoming ever more difficult in the current climate.
Over the years I have had support of varies charities, companies, individuals and of course, the bank of Mum and Dad! But due to Covid I have lost over £8000 of annual funding, This all impacts my ability to improve and to reach my goals and realise my ultimate dreams.
I need to replace my private funding as soon as I can, so if anyone would like to help that would be amazing and very much appreciated.
What ambitions do you have on and off the court?
I would like to attain my degree with a good grade, which only a few years ago I never thought would be possible. I am also a passionate advocate about inclusion and empowering people, particularly girls, to get into sport, no matter their ability. So I would very much like to continue my work in this area, and hopefully make a difference.
On the court I want to improve my tennis and be the best player and coach I can possibly be. My long term goal is to play at Wimbledon, as it would be a dream. But also to be selected to represent Great Britain at the Paralympics and to win a medal.
Ultimately I want to live my life to the full in all aspects, to be happy, to be successful, to be fulfilled and to help others to fulfil their full potential in a sport that has given me so much that I love.
Abbie won gold in both singles and doubles at her last National School Games tournament - the only female player to do so since the inaugural games in 2016. And she also won silver in the mixed doubles for good measure!
Check out this BBC video for more about Abbie’s story and find her on Twitter here.
See also
Talking Tennis with… Lucy Shuker, Britain’s #1 Wheelchair Player
A gift for life - why every child should learn to play tennis
“For a moment I forgot I couldn’t see…” – The beautiful power of tennis
We’d love to share more stories from people who love tennis! If you - or someone you know - would like to be featured in a Talking Tennis Q&A, please drop us a line at lizzie@talkingtennis.co.uk
Interview by Lizzie Flint. Additional material by Andrew Nixon