'My son has a learning disability but played at Wimbledon'

Matthew Brough is set to keep competing after getting the chance to play at Wimbledon

A tennis player with a learning disability has fulfilled a lifelong dream to compete on the courts at Wimbledon.

Matthew Brough, from York, entered the Play Your Way To Wimbledon event at the famous All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club earlier this month.

The 23-year-old has won gold and bronze medals at the Special Olympics and has represented Team GB.

Matthew did not win any matches in his category but had a "fantastic experience" and will now take on new challenges, including running next year's London Marathon.

His father, Dave Brough, said: "Matthew has a learning disability and a speech and language disorder, so he finds things very difficult to learn and understand.

"Tennis has done so much for him in terms of what he has been able to achieve, certainly over the last two or three years.

"It's been absolutely incredible what he's been able to achieve and do."

Matthew currently trains at the University of York and is part of the Disability Tennis network group in the city, as well as the LTA's Learning Disability squad.

Matthew Brough is a Special Olympics champion

The latter role involves him visiting schools in York teaching young people how to achieve their goals.

He has also been selected as one of the BBC's Make a Difference finalists, a competition to recognise those who improve lives in their communities, with the winners being announced next month.

Mr Brough added that his son found it "fantastic" to play on the iconic grass courts at Wimbledon earlier this month after receiving an email asking him to take part.

"We were super proud of him, it was a wonderful opportunity and a great experience for all the athletes that were playing there that weekend," he said.

Play Your Way To Wimbledon is a mass participation competition with tournaments for adults, juniors, para and wheelchair players, and those with learning disabilities, visual and hearing impairments.

Participants compete in regional events for the chance to qualify for the national finals at Wimbledon.

Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.