Issue link: http://itf.uberflip.com/i/1393022
retired and knew I had to do something else," she said. "The only thing I was any good at was finances. "I found a qualification to be a mortgage adviser and it took me a year to complete it. By chance, I was on a Zoom call for property investors and mentioned that I was qualified. It turned out the guy leading the call was hiring. "I explained my whole situation about the Paralympics and how I needed to be flexible, but that this is what I wanted to do, and it started from there. He looks after specialist mortgages, like for athletes – it was an amazing find. "I have been an athlete and know what it's like and I also understand the finance side. I now want to help athletes buy their own houses and build portfolios." Whiley cites an appreciation of money management early in life, stemming from competing and earning prize money from a young age, for the business instincts which are now shaping her future. "I am not just an athlete; I am a mum above everything. Now, I play better tennis because I am more chilled, kinder to myself and less critical." That followed a difficult childhood which saw her suffer broken legs on a regular basis – she claims to have stopped counting at 26 – and underwent eight surgeries due to osteogenesis imperfecta, a genetic disorder which also affected her father. But from that adversity derived a career which has delivered prestige, silverware and indelible memories. From the three-year-old girl who had a racket thrust into her hand while her father was competing in Israel, prompting significant media attention, Whiley has thrived. That said, the next few weeks could be life- changing and will almost certainly determine the centre piece should a new trophy cabinet indeed be constructed. In effect, it is now or never if the dream of Paralympic gold is to be realised. n Le Whiley has enjoyed much doubles success wth Yui Kamiji, her fiancée Marc McCarroll knows the demands of compe ng at a Paralympic Games, while her sole Grand Slam singles tle to date came at the 2015 US Open A very young Whiley with racket in hand ITF World Summer 2021 25