Australia’s Dylan Alcott has become the first Quad Wheelchair Wimbledon Singles champion. As the Australian and World No.1, Alcott was sizzling hot in winning the inaugural Quad Wheelchair Singles final at Wimbledon, by dropping just two games on Court 12 and thrashing Britain’s third seed, and two-time Paralympic silver medallist, Andy Lapthorne, with whom Alcott had also won the Quad Wheelchair Wimbledon Doubles title only 24 hours earlier.
Alcott is now a nine-times grand slam singles winner and on Saturday his 6-0, 6-2 win over Britain’s Lapthorne gave him his fourth straight grand slam title. He is a true multifaceted personality, being widely recognised as a positive role model and high profile disability advocate. As well as being an elite level champion of Australian sport, it seems he still has plenty left in his tank and will only go from strength to strength whatever he chooses to put his energies into.
During his acceptance speech, Alcott spoke frankly about his win, which comes after the winning Logie Award for the best New Australina TV Talent two weeks before. “It sounds weird but I like using the trophy,” he said. “You get a Tiffany crystal vase at the US Open. Why not put delicious, beautiful flowers in it, like we do? We actually use them. And it’s cool. Then they’re around the house. You don’t look like as much of a wanker as well. This one means [a lot]. Wimbledon … this is the Holy Grail of tennis … I think the Wimbledon trophy, we’ll be ditching the Logie. Sorry TV Week, if you’re listening.”
Quad wheelchair tennis made its competitive debut at Wimbledon in 2019 after being introduced as an exhibition event last year. The 28-year-old also made a powerful testimonial statement regarding his achievement, “To show able-bodied people what people with a disability can do. That’s What I’m most proud of.”
Alcott pockets £34,000 ($A60,880) with Lapthorne taking home £17,000 ($A30,440) as runner-up.
