WORLD-BEATING Halesowen tennis player Jordanne Whiley had her day at Buckingham Palace today when she picked up an M.B.E.

The talented 23-year-old, who has had a breakthrough year winning multiple titles including the US Open Wheelchair Women's title, was accompanied to the palace by her mother and father.

The Princess Royal presented the former Earls High School pupil with her honour.

Miss Whiley said: "It has been a great day. I have been to the palace before but that was with the team but today was more about me so I could take my mum and dad.

"I think it is good that I have been recognised with an M.B.E as it will act as an inspiration to other disabled youngsters in the country to take up sport which will create more disabled role models."

Looking back on an incredible year, which saw her and partner Yui Kamiji of Japan achieve a calendar Grand Slam by winning the wheelchair doubles at the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open, Jordanne picked out her singles triumph at Flushing Meadow in New York as her highlight.

She said: "Winning the US Open singles title was amazing and felt completely different to winning doubles titles because it was all down to me."

And winning her breakthrough Grand Slam title has given the Halesowen heroine the belief she can clinch the title which she wants the most - Olympic Gold.

She said: "I still have a lot to play for this year, as the tennis season never seems to end, with the Masters at Olympic Park but I am working towards the Rio Olympics now as I want to win the singles gold medal."

And despite reaching the pinnacle of world sport the tennis player, who suffers with brittle bone disease, has not forgotten her roots in Halesowen.

She said: "I still get a lot of support from home and that is why it was nice to take my mum and dad to the palace.

"I have a lot of people to thank but I'd like to mention the help that The Tennis Foundation and UK Sport have given me over the years, they have been brilliant."