A SIR ALEX FERGUSON phone call in 2016 still gives British wheelchair tennis ace Andy Lapthorne goosebumps.
The legendary ex-Manchester United boss called Lapthorne ahead of the 2016 Paralympic games in Rio.
Lapthorne, 34, still holds onto Sir Alex’s words nine years later[/caption]
The 34-year-old credits the call for life changing results, according to a recent interview with The Times.
He said: “That phone call is still giving me goosebumps.”
Lapthorne – who has cerebral palsy which affects his ability to stand for extend periods or fully straighten his arms – competes in wheelchair tennis in quad singles and doubles events .
He has been ranked no.1 in the world in quad singles, and is a 16-time Grand Slam winner in quad doubles, a record he will attempt to improve at Wimbledon next month.
By the time of the call, Lapthorne already had one singles and five doubles Grand Slam wins – but it was not a great tennis players that Ferguson compared him to.
Lapthorne continued: “We chatted about Eric Cantona, because he had been told what I was like, a bit of a maverick.
“He was talking about embracing that, but also about listening to people that know me.”
The call was not the end of Sir Alex’s support of Lapthorne, who received an email of encouragement from the iconic manager following his semi-final victory later in the tournament.
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Lapthorne is still winning silverware today[/caption]
Sir Alex’s call spurred the Brit all the way to the finals in Rio, where he was eventually defeated in straight sets by Australian Dylan Alcott.
The winning influence did not fade with that loss though, as Lapthorne went on to become a serial winner in wheelchair tennis, especially in the quad doubles.
He remains the fourth ranked player in quad singles, and the third ranked player in quad doubles.
Earlier this week he brought home silverware in both disciplines on home soil at the Eastbourne Open – continuing to prove Sir Alex’s advice right after almost a decade.
Lapthorne will take to the Wimbledon court with tennis partner Greg Slade next month to attempt to win his third doubles trophy at the event, having last won it in 2021.
