Australian Open 2022: Dylan Alcott’s amazing sportsmanship on display as fairytale run continues 

Dylan Alcott should have been on top of the world after completing one of world sport’s toughest tasks. However, locked in hotel quarantine, it was anything but a party.

A bout of depression sitting in hotel quarantine when Dylan Alcott flew home after completing the Golden Slam last year triggered an intense training program that has the champion on the verge of a fairytale farewell.

The retiring legend is just four sets away from bowing out with an eighth consecutive Australian Open, and 16th grand slam overall, after fighting back against teenager Niels Vink at Kia Arena.

The No. 1 seed was stunned to be playing a Dutchman who is about to be named the sport’s No. 2 player in the first round, and told Vink at the net after his gutsy 6-7 (1) 6-4 6-2 victory that he would win 20 slams.

Alcott, 31, watched on enviously from his 14 days locked in isolation as good mate Max Gawn partied for days on end after captaining Melbourne to the AFL premiership.

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Dylan Alcott during his Quad Wheelchair singles quarterfinals match against Niels Vink (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

“Do you know what made me train hard? Hotel quarantine. I had actual depression, I hadn’t seen my family, the biggest moment of my life (golden slam), and I’m in a hotel,” Alcott said.

“I struggled. I got out and didn’t even want to have beers with my mates. I actually want to get back into it, because I did nothing for two weeks. I ate junk food. It sucked, right?

“I was watching my good mate Max Gawn kick on, party after the premiership, and I was still in quarantine and hadn’t seen anybody.

“I’m normally like the positive guy because it was really hard. I need to do (exercise) for my mental health, so I just went straight back to the gym.”

Alcott smashed through 11 workouts a week and credited pickle juice and bananas for fuelling his body during Sunday night’s marathon match.

Alcott was on court for 164 minutes, which almost matched Ash Barty’s 167 minutes in her first three rounds at Melbourne Park.

Alcott drew inspiration from his packed player box as friends and family willed him across the line in front of a hearty atmosphere, with plenty of Barty fans filing in for the third set after her demolition job at Rod Laver Arena.

“I hated myself growing up and the reason I don’t is them (friends and family),” Alcott said.

“I’m glad I’m still alive and I can keep doing it.”

The Victorian’s supreme sportsmanship shone through in the final set when he screamed “Come on!” mid-point, mistakenly believing a ball would sail long.

The umpire pinged Alcott for hindrance, gifting Vink a break point.

Dylan Alcott and Niels Vink after their three-hour battle. Picture: Michael Klein

But instead of getting upset Alcott called out: “Sorry, mate” to his opponent and got on with the job, immediately breaking back and then charging into the semi-finals.

Alcott will play wheelchair doubles on Monday, his singles semi-final on Tuesday before he becomes “redundant” from the sport after Thursday’s final, which he is a hot favourite to win.

“I hope he was going to crap his dacks, but he didn’t,” Alcott said of his 19-year-old opponent.

“Now you know why I’m retiring.”

A proud Alcott was thrilled at his sport’s rise.

“When you get to Melbourne airport, what do you see? Bang. Billboard of a wheelchair tennis player. It doesn’t matter if it’s me, it’s a wheelchair tennis player,” Alcott said.

“That representation and a ¾ full Kia Arena on TV after Ash, it was humming.

“It just feels normal here, and I want every other sport and all around the world to have athletes with disability competing, putting on a show, but make it feel normal.

“That was normal, and you don’t need me anymore.

“Look at who I played today, he’s got it covered. I’m not redundant yet. I will be redundant on Thursday.”

Originally published as Australian Open 2022: Dylan Alcott’s amazing sportsmanship on display as fairytale run continues