Alexander Eustace (pictured top) is a medal winning British tennis star from the city, and began his tennis career at the age of 14.

He has since represented the East Midlands at the Special Olympics National Games in 2009, winning two gold medals and a silver in the process.

Alex had problems with communication and balance as the result of a learning difficulty, and as a result his Dad, Ian, helped enrol him into a learning disability tennis team.

Alexander also did a lot of running but found tennis to be what he both enjoyed and excelled at most.

The 21-year-old was nominated to carry the torch when Ian became aware of Paralympians taking part in the Torch Relays for London 2012, and felt there should be representation of the Special Olympics.

As Alex, who won a gold medal at last year's World Summer Games, has no physical disability, he would not be eligible to take part in Paralympic sport.

Despite this, Special Olympics and the Paralympics are often confused, something Ian told insideworldparasport he experienced just after Alex had carried the Torch.

Speaking to insideworldparasport, Ian said: "People do get confused about the Paralympics.

"I was speaking to someone yesterday after Alex had completed his run who was asking about his background

"When I mentioned about his disability he said, 'Oh he competes in Paralympics then?'"


Ian's overriding feeling from watching his son carry the Torch was, naturally, pride.

"We're immensely proud," he said.

"It is hard to put into the words the emotions that go through you when you see something like that.

"The fact that your son has been nominated to carry the Flame is an amazing achievement."

Alex carried the Torch in West Bridgford, just before it reached Trent Bridge, at quarter to six on Thursday, ironically just as one of his two tennis idols, Rafa Nadal, was about to suffer one of tennis's biggest shocks of recent years.

The Spaniard has won Wimbledon twice and earlier this month became the first player to win the French Open seven times, cementing his place in the history books.

Yet Nadal was beaten at SW19 just hours after Alex carried the Torch by the world number 100, Lukas Rosol of the Czech Republic, in a thrilling five setter (pictured above).

Ian said his son was "shocked" when told of the result, but the silver lining for the youngster – aside from carrying the Olympic Torch, of course – is that his other tennis hero, British number one Andy Murray, was in the same side of the Wimbledon draw as Nadal, and so now has a clearer path to what would be an historic final in his sights.

Having run with the Torch, Alex said that he felt "absolutely fantastic," and "was very honoured and privileged to have the opportunity to carry it," his father added.

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