PARALYMPICS LONDON 2012: Quadfather Norfolk hints at calling time on career after doubles silver

By Sportsbeat staff, London 2012

PETER Norfolk admits he may have played his last wheelchair tennis match after suffering defeat in his quest for doubles gold in London.

DISAPPOINTED: Peter Norfolk and partner Andy Lapthorne settled for quad doubles bronze at the Paralympic wheelchair tennis tournament

The self-styled 'Quadfather' and his partner Andy Lapthorne were beaten 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 by American two-time defending champions David Wagner and Nick Taylor in the quad doubles final at the Paralympics.

That followed a disappointing quarter-final exit in the singles event for Norfolk at the hands of Isreal's Shraga Weinberg.

Norfolk and Lapthorne admitted they were far from satisfied with their silver medal against an American duo they have developed a fierce rivalry with.

And two-time singles gold medallist Norfolk, competing at his third Games, will now take some time out to consider his future.

"I tried everything but couldn't quite get there in the end," said the 51-year-old, who was also a doubles silver medallist in Athens with Marc Eccleston, and a bronze medallist in Beijing with Jamie Burdekin.

"Andy for sure can go to Rio and I am very grateful he helped me win a medal here.

"It may be my last match but I won't make that decision yet. I'm going to spend some time with my family and take stock as I've spent a long time on court.

"London has been astronomically better than anything else and it will be hard to top.

"But maybe I will head out to Australia and win our third Grand Slam in January."

Despite going into the Games with high hopes of winning two more gold medals, Norfolk's disappointment at claiming only a silver will have been tempered by the overall experience.

He was selected as Britain's flag bearer for the opening ceremony, the first time he has attended the curtain-raising event in three Games.

And he has talked throughout of the excellent home support he has received.

But against the Americans that support was tested when the home duo fell a set and 3-1 down on centre court.

The British pair, who won the Australian Open earlier this year, then began to force their way back. They moved 6-5 ahead with Norfolk then converting a break point in the 12th game to take it into a decider.

In the final set, when Norfolk gave away his service game to give the Americans a 3-2 lead, the British pair were forced to count the cost of several unforced errors as their gold medal hopes disappeared.

"We have a strong rivalry with the Americans and unfortunately they won the big one," admitted Norfolk.

© Sportsbeat 2012