Great Britain lift fourth BNP Paribas World Team Cup men's title
Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid steered Great Britain to a fourth BNP Paribas World Team Cup men’s World Group title in nine years as the 2024 edition of ITF’s flagship wheelchair tennis team event came to a close on Sunday in Antalya, Turkiye, with Britain securing a 2-0 victory over Spain.
For Hewett and Reid it was also the fourth time that they’d won both singles matches in a World Team Cup men’s final as they reprised both of their respective performances in winning Great Britain’s first men’s World Group title, also in Antalya, in 2015.
"We are delighted to get a fourth World Team Cup trophy. Playing for your country is a big deal and it's one of the standout events in the year,” said world No. 1 Hewett after wrapping up the victory, having won eight of the of the last nine games in a 2-6 6-4 6-1 win over Martin de la Puente in the second singles match.
“To get another win is a great feeling and it's been a really good team atmosphere. Ben (Bartram) and Dahnon Ward) played their parts this week (with wins during the group stage) and today me and Gordon were able to bring home the title."
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Hewett made a slow start against world No. 4 De la Puente, who he'd beaten in 18 of their previous 19 matches, with the Spaniard firing a succession of impressive winners past Hewett during the opening set. But, as the second set neared its end, Hewett was able to raise his game.
"I struggled with a little bit of intensity and energy in the first set. but what I did really well was keeping in there and taking my opportunities when they came."
Reid opened a memorable day for the Brits by stretching his unbeaten winning streak against Daniel Caverzaschi to seven matches, earning a hard-won 6-3 6-4 victory and ultimately Spain would leave Antalya with the men's silver medal for the the third time since 2021.
While it was the fourth World Team Cup men's title for Hewett and Reid as Great Britain retained the title they won in Vilamoura, Portugal, last year, it was a second successive gold medal for Bartram and a first for Ward after a succession of silver medals in the junior event.
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