Australian Open 2022: Text message from Andy Murray brings Dylan Alcott to tears
Losing the Australian Open final didn’t bring Dylan Alcott to tears, but a text message from one of the biggest names in the game sure did.
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Losing the Australian Open final didn’t bring Dylan Alcott to tears, but a text message from former world No.1 Andy Murray left the inspirational hero blubbering during his final press conference as a professional tennis player.
The Australian of the Year was gracefully tamed 7-5 6-0 by Sam Schroder on Thursday night, but Alcott – a seven-time Australian Open champion – will be gone but never forgotten after transforming both sport and life for disabled people.
Alcott’s farewell match was in front of a packed Rod Laver Arena and his popularity was so high that the host broadcaster delayed its 6pm nightly bulletin to finish his match, a feat not even the Ashes can match.
It was a far cry from Alcott’s Melbourne Park debut on January 23 eight years ago, when just five people came to his outside court.
“They were my dad, mum, brother, a couple of mates and some people who got lost and accidentally walked past,” Alcott said.
“Legit, not exaggerating. Now I’m on the opening billboard when you get here in Melbourne, bloody Australian of the Year.
“People might think that I love myself and it’s all about me but it’s not.
“It’s about changing perceptions so more people with disability get their opportunity to be them.”
Alcott praised the integration in tennis – he was at locker No.61 and Rafael Nadal in No.63 on Thursday – and they spoke as regular mates, a far cry from Alcott’s basketball days.
“I got voted in the World All-Star Five for the best five basketballs in the world when I was 19.
“I never met LeBron James. LeBron James doesn’t know who I am. We have the best Paralympic sport (tennis) in the world because of the integration with the able-bodied tour.
“It’s unbelievable. And we do a poor job of leveraging that all year.
“People internally sometimes don’t do as good a job to understand how good the product is.
“Not to say when we go to fight for us more to put us on the main court and not think we’re lucky to be here, because we’re not lucky to be here, we deserve to be here. That’s the difference.
“People think we’re lucky to be here; get stuffed. We deserve to be here.
“We’re selling tickets, sponsors are making money and people are loving it. So start thinking like that and then it will all change.”
Alcott was mid-answer when Murray messaged out of the blue.
“This just sums up how it’s changed. I hope he doesn’t mind this, but Andy Murray just messaged me: ‘I don’t know if I have articulated that well, but you’re an absolute rock star and inspiration. Thanks for everything you’ve done.’”
Alcott then broke down in tears.
“That kills me. Makes me want to cry. Special. You’re part of it. Just part of it,” he said.
“Like I don’t even care you’re in a wheelchair. They don’t give a sh**. It’s special. It’s so nice, you know.
“It’s like that everywhere here. I never thought that would happen. It’s cool, really cool. It’s better than winning a tennis tournament.
“This is a legend of the sport. If wheelchair tennis is good enough for someone like that, it’s good enough for everyone.”
HOW THE MATCH WAS WON
It wasn’t the Dylan Alcott finale all of Australia was hoping for.
After dropping a tight first set, young star Sam Schroder dominated the second set in what was a heartbreaking end to the Australian of the Year’s tennis career.
Alcott’s failed to win a game in his final set, with his illustraious career ending with a 7-5, 6-0 loss.
SECOND SET
ALCOTT 0-5 SCHRODER
Things are unravelling fast for Alcott.
The Aussie has been broken twice in the second set and is danger of a donut in his final grand slam set.
FIRST SET: ALCOTT ON THE ROPES
ALCOTT 5 – 7 SCHRODER
A fightback will be required for Dylan Alcott to finish his career in style.
The wheelchair quads superstar is up against it after losing the first set.
ALCOTT 3-4 SCHRODER
RECAP THE KYRGIOS KOKKINAKIS SEMI—FINAL BELOW
SECOND SET - SPECIAL Ks THROUGH TO THE FINAL
Kyrgios & Kokkinakis 6-4 Granollers & Zeballos
Sealed with a lob!
Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis are through to the men’s doubles final, and will face fellow Aussie duo Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell.
MEANWHILE ON MARGARET COURT
Max Purcell and Matthew Ebden are through to the doubles final!
The less celebrated Aussie doubles pair Max Purcell and Matthew Ebden defeated Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury 6-3, 7-6, winning the second set tiebreak 11-9 on Margaret Court Arena.
Kyrgios & Kokkinakis 4-3 Granollers & Zeballos
Granollers and Zeballos managed to get the break, but not without a fight from Kyrgios.
Some great serving from Kyrgios helped save two break points, before their opponents took the final point out with a fortunate deflection off the net from Kyrgios.
Kyrgios vented his frustration to the chair umpire earlier in the point, arguing his case about a let that was called.
“I’m not even touching the net bro,” he said.
“I’m standing this far above the net, how is it a let?”
SPECIAL Ks SNATCH FIRST BREAK
Kyrgios & Kokkinakis 3-0 Granollers & Zeballos
The first break of the match goes to the Aussies!
Their opponents managed to save three break points but the Special Ks managed to hold their nerve at deuce.
The exciting pair have taken the momentum into the second set and are in a great position.
Kyrgios then pulled off a massive 222km/h serve as the Aussies took the next game to get 3-0 up.
FIRST SET - KYRGIOS AND KOKKINAKIS AHEAD
TIEBREAK
Kyrgios & Kokkinakis 7-4 Granollers & Zeballos
The Special Ks were able to secure a mini-break early in the tiebreak and came up trumps to claim the opening set– with Kyrgios throwing in a mid-game tweener, which proved unsuccessful.
Kyrgios & Kokkinakis* 6-6 Granollers & Zeballos
The Kyrgios serve is the best weapon so far this afternoon and the aussie’s power also forcing a change of sides from the guys on the other side of the net. They “lefty” Zeballos switching to accomodatethe force from NK.
Frustrations getting to Nick as they struggle again to try for a break. What should be straightforward returns from the big Aussie going way wide of the trams.
Time violation for Kokkinakis, too slow on the serve. Looking a little rattled, they would normally have edged ahead by this point of the match. I’d say this is the biggest test they have endured so far.
But an absolute gem of a cross court forehand from Kokk keeps them alive for a tie-break.
SAD IMAGE: Kyrgios & Kokkinakis* 4-4 Granollers & Zeballos
A sad contrast to what we are seeing unfold on Rod Laver Arena, two Aussie men are contesting the other doubles semi -fial and there’s under 100 people in the stadium. Sad state of affairs that the Special K effect hasn’t prompted others to go to Margaret Court.
But I can tell you that Ebden and Purcell have taken the first set 6-3.
But an absolute gem of a forehand cross court fro KoTime violation for Kokkinakis, too slow on the serverustrations getting to Nick as they struggle for th ebre
The contrast to MCA is, well, stark. Fewer than 100 people watching another two Aussies, Matt Ebden and Max Purcell, taking on Joe Salisbury and Rajeev Ram #AusOpenpic.twitter.com/SgraD8t06h
— Eleanor Crooks (@EleanorcrooksPA) January 27, 2022
.
Kyrgios & Kokkinakis 3-4 Granollers & Zeballos*
Thundering forehands from Thanasi Kokkinakis and the crowd is loving it. Joy to watch him play so well given the injuries and hardships he has endured in singles.
Special K’s off to an encourgaing start but their opponents, as yet, not phased by the cauldron.
In fact they’re playing excemptionaly well given the pressure, pulling the Aussies all over the court. Really making them work for this.
It’s time for the Special K’s! 💥👀#TheFirstServe | #AusOpenpic.twitter.com/cWBIYApntI
— The First Serve (@TheFirstServeAU) January 27, 2022
2:30pm WOODIES BACK THE SPECIALS
Australia’s greatest men’s doubles pairing is firmly in the corner of firebrand pair Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis as the “Special K” duo launch their assault on a final berth.
Kyrgios and Kokkinakis will take to Rod Laver Arena on this afternoon in their doubles semi-final against third seeds Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos.
And the famed Woodies – Mark Woodforde and Todd Woodbridge — who claimed 11 grand slam titles including two Australian Opens during their partnership — are behind the pair and how they have sparked a resurgence for doubles crowds.
Woodforde told News Corp that while Kyrgios and Kokkinakis might have started the event with fun in mind, it could well translate to final success.
“I’m sure they have put a few noses out of joint (along the way), because I don’t think they were serious (to begin with),” Woodforde said.
“Maybe at the start of the tournament, they entered the draw thinking they were there to really just win a match or two and have some fun, keep it relaxed.”
He also said the pair’s success and raucous crowds had changed “how the AO is being looked upon right now”, and that it could have an unexpected flow-on effect for another star player.
“In a way, it’s helping Ash’s (Barty) success,” Woodforde said.
“That we’re not all watching and hoping for Ash’s success – it might be a real positive. But they’re deserving of having the eyeballs and attention on them, because they are super exciting.”
11:30am WHEN’S THE BABY DUE? STAR CALLS OUT SHOCKING SEXISM
Johanna Konta has called out sexism in the sport saying she is fielding questions ”no-one seems to be asking Rafa Nadal”.
Two months after suddenly calling time on her career, the former world No 4 said she was subjected to a line of questioning typical to the “middle aged men” that traditionally fill a tennis media conference.
Konta, who recently married her long-term partner - said not only do the inquiries highlight an outdated double standard, but also an insensitivity few seem to consider before opening their mouths.
“As a woman, you start getting to a certain age, hitting certain milestones and then it is straightaway assumed – ‘okay, well, when’s the baby coming?’” she told The Daily Telegraph.
“I don’t think it’s done with any harm, but it would be nice to talk about my career and things like that – like my male counterparts in the sport.
“I’m not sure they’re asking Rafa Nadal when he was finally going to marry his girlfriend before he did, or when he is going to have kids.
“I think it can be a bit insensitive, especially for people who maybe don’t want to [have children] or have other difficulties. You just don’t know.
“I think it was unfortunate (to be asked about it), but I was not alone in that. And while our tennis press is mainly made up of middle-aged men, I think the questions are going to be catered so.”
8:55am AUSSIE SET TO TAKE ASH DOW
I’m having a hit of tennis in Melbourne. Doubles with great mates. There’s a sharp leftie called Craig O’Shannessy by my side. He knows his stuff.
At 2-2 and 0-15, he casually mentions, “I absolutely know 100 per cent how to beat Ash Barty.” Really? Tell me more.
He’s a great bloke. A fine player. And he’s not mucking around. He’s the most esteemed analyst in the sport.
Devised tactics for Novak Djokovic and Matteo Berrettini but even more interestingly, he’s plotted the demise of Barty to Alison Riske at the 2019 Wimbledon championships.
It’s fascinating stuff. If Barty knows how to poke holes in Madison Keys’ game in Thursday night’s Australian Open semi-final, a match against a big-hitting American that has alarm bells ringing all over it for the world No.1, O’Shannessy has pored over enough data and footage to know how to poke holes in Barty.“Kill the forehand,” he says.
8:30am MEDVEDEV BOOED
Danil Medvedev is turning into the ultimate tennis troll and he loves it.
After fighting back to secure his semi-final spot, he told the crowd he was channelling his innner Novak Djokovic.
You can imagine how that went down.
Asked about his inspiration to charge back from two sets to love down, Medvedev told the crowd:
“He (Auger-Aliassime) was all over me to be honest,” he said.
“I didn’t really know what to do so I was like, actually, I don’t know if people are going to like it but I told myself what Novak would do.”
The answer led to large boos from the Rod Laver Arena crowd.
Medvedev then added:
“You know what came to my mind was that because he is one of the greatest champions, or Rafa or Roger to be honest, they have won so many matches like this.”
By comparison, the mention of Rafael Nada and Roger Federer drew large cheers.
"I asked myself 'what would Novak do?'" 😬
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) January 26, 2022
Fair to say Medvedev got a mixed reaction when he revealed his comeback inspiration! 😲#AusOpen - Live on Channel 9 and 9Now pic.twitter.com/WQRAgFtdu5
8am AUSSIES WIN AT 3AM
Australians Jaimee Fourlis and Jason Kubler had never won a match together before entering the 2022 Australian Open mixed doubles.
Now, they are into the final at Melbourne Park after a stunning comeback win.
The pair will face off against the fifth seeds, France’s Kristina Mladenovic and Croatia’s Ivan Dodig.
Fourlis and Kubler fought back from one set down to defeat the Czech Republic’s Lucie Hradecka and Ecuador’s Gonzalo Escobar 2-6 7-6(2) [10-6].
Fourlis and Kubler defeated No. 7 seeds Nina Stojanovic and Mate Pavic in the first round, before downing experienced Australian duo Sam Stosur and Matthew Ebden in the second.
Before the match, Kubler said they couldn’t quite believe their dream run.
“It’s crazy when we win, we look at each other and think ‘what the hell is happening right now?’,” Kubler said. “It’s not just our first semi-final, it’s our first quarterfinal, our first second round, our first anything.”
Fourlis said they had felt the support of the home crowd in progressing through to the final.
“We’ve got a lot of my friends and family here. I’m from Melbourne so it is really great to do it here. It’s been unreal,” she said. “I feel like for us it’s just one match at a time, one day at a time and anything is possible.”
7:45am GOOD MORNING
It is a MASSIVE day at Melbourne Park. Four huge Aussie clashes coming up today and we have plenty of news to come on them all. The Specials Ks are first up as they continue their quest for glory in the men’s doubles semi-final. Don’t forget in the other semi we have Matt Ebden and Max Purcell so we’re on for an All-Australian final at this stage.
Dylan Alcott’s final match is coming up after Kyrgios and Kokk, the Australian of the Year looking to end his incredible career on a high. And tonight, Ash Barty looking to end a 44-year wait for an Aussie women’s finalist. She’s up against Madison Keys.
ALOT HAPPENING!
Originally published as Australian Open 2022: Text message from Andy Murray brings Dylan Alcott to tears
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