Victory for the Scot at Lee Valley Hockey & Tennis Centre this week would see him finish the year as world number one

Following a disappointing NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters 2015, Gordon Reid is more determined than ever to enjoy success in this years edition, which starts tomorrow (Wednesday).

The 25-year-old goes into the tournament at Lee Valley Hockey & Tennis Centre in the form of his life after winning the Australian Open, Wimbledon and gold in the Rio Paralympics.

But this time last year, Reid wasn’t feeling 100 per cent and missed out on the semi-finals because his percentage of games won was slightly less in all three group matches compared to Frenchman Stephane Houdet.

“I wouldn’t even say I felt 25 per cent last year at the Masters. I was really struggling,” said Reid when speaking exclusively to the Recorder.

“I missed out on the semi-finals by something like 0.1 per cent game difference so it was a really tight margin.

“It was frustrating for me because it was a really big event on the calendar and another opportunity to play in front of a home crowd which I enjoy.

“Obviously I was disappointed last year, but at the same time these things happen and there is nothing you can do about it.”

That was true at the time, though now Reid can return to the event with fresh confidence and with that winning feeling.

When the tournament starts on November 30, running until December 4, the 25-year-old will know winning his maiden Masters title would ensure he finishes 2016 as number one in the world.

Reid added: “It is an opportunity to right the wrongs of last year. I’m really looking forward to it and I saw how well the event was supported.

“Hopefully with the added profile of the sport, we can get even more fans coming along to watch and more British people supporting us Brits!

“If I can win I’ll finish 2016 as world number one so it would be the perfect way to end the year, but it is not going to be easy.”

Before Reid triumphed at the Australian Open back in January, he had never won a Grand Slam.

After success down under, the Scot became the first male wheelchair singles winners of Wimbledon in July before his gold in Rio.

Reid believes claiming victory in Melbourne was the catalyst for his sensational 2016, adding: “I probably couldn’t have imagined it would be as good as it has been.

“I knew it was a big year because the Paralympics year always is. At the same time I had never felt I had performed well at the Grand Slams so that was a bit of a hoodoo for me.

“To start the way I did in Australia was perfect. It kind of gave me a little bit of freedom to enjoy the rest of 2016 and also gave me the belief because I now knew I could perform like that on the big stage.”

Tickets for the NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters are available from as little as £1. For details visit www.wheelchairtennismasters.com.