Australian Open 2022: Dylan Alcott hits Canberra for Australia Day ceremony 24 hours before final

A whirlwind 48 hours, that started with a 1000-km round trip to Canberra, perfectly encapsulates how Dylan Alcott transcends sport and is a living legend, both on and off the court.

Dylan Alcott’s 2019 Gold Logie remains the prized attraction among 15 glittering Grand Slam trophies for visitors at his Melbourne home, although the bursting trophy cabinet carries little substance for perhaps this century’s most inspirational man.

Alcott’s preparation for Thursday’s Australian Open final started with a 1000-km round trip to Canberra on Tuesday, flying past semi-final opponent Andy Lapthorne at Kia Arena 6-3 6-0, and then to Canberra for Tuesday night’s Australian of the Year ceremony.

The 31-year-old went from tank top to tuxedo and was on the tarmac by 4pm, grateful two of the biggest nights of his life didn’t clash rather than frustrated that preparation for his last ever tennis match had been compromised.

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Dylan Alcott is in yet another Australian Open final.

The whirlwind 48 hours perfectly encapsulates how Alcott transcends sport and is a living legend, both on and off the court, and a post-match tweet on Sunday brought the biggest smile to his face.

“Hannah who is in a wheelchair said I just can’t believe I’m seeing two people like me in prime time (on TV) doing what they love,” Alcott said.

“That just didn’t happen when we were young. My purpose is changing perceptions so people with disability can live the lives they want to live.”

So what did his call-up to the nation’s capital mean to Alcott and his community?

“People with disability have always been viewed as second-class citizens compared to non-disabled people,” he said.

“It’s just an unconscious bias that people have. We can all say it’s not there, but it is. It’s always been there.

“We don’t get jobs, we don’t get asked on dates, we don’t get opportunities like other people because people think we can’t do it.

“I hope it means a lot to a lot of people, even just being nominated.

“Also to be given that platform to talk about what you’re passionate about is super cool. Grace Tame has just taken that to another level – What a weapon, what a legend.”

Alcott won one of his seven consecutive Australian Opens – he is one win away from retiring with No.8 – while on a drip in hospital every night, and admitted on Tuesday he was “100 per cent cooked”.

Dylan Alcott compete for his eighth home Grand Slam title on Thursday night. Picture: MICHAEL ERREY/AFP

But he never contemplated skipping Tuesday night’s Canberra function.

“So many people with disability should have won that award over the years but haven’t,” he said.

“I would never forgive myself if I don’t go. I always do stuff like this – I commentate 16 hours a day in the lead-up, then I play this tournament. I’m always wrecked. That’s just me.

“I love getting amongst life and having a crack.”

Alcott beat Lapthorne for the Olympic Games gold medal in 2016 and they then became drinking buddies at the same bar in Rio Janeiro

On Sunday, regurgitating pickle juice helped Alcott overpower the next wheelchair tennis superstar in Dutch teenager Neil Winks in the first round and now he is odds-on to secure a 16th Grand Slam.

“It would be unbelievable (to retire with an eighth-consecutive Australian Open) – but it wouldn’t be everything. I will live if I don’t win,” Alcott said.

“I’ve got the best life in the world, regardless of whether I win on Thursday. I’m the luckiest guy in the world, and I’m just going to go out there and enjoy every little second of it, because I’ll never get that opportunity again.”

As for awards in general?

“They’re funny because you have no control over it – what do they even mean?” Alcott said.

“You can still do your purpose every day regardless if you win.”

How ‘Sauce’ helped ‘cooked’ Alcott recover from Aus Open epic

- Lauren Wood

A few tunes, soaking up the reaction on social media and cuddles from a sausage dog named Sauce all combined to ensure Australian star Dylan Alcott recovered from an epic for Tuesday's semi-final.

A “cooked” Alcott was on court for almost three hours against next-generation quad wheelchair star Niels Vink on Sunday but bounced back to defeat 13-time major winner Andy Lapthorne on Tuesday.

Dylan Alcott and his best mate 'Sauce' the sausage dog.

The 31-year-old pondered his victory over some music on Sunday night and took time to see how people enjoyed the match via social media before as chilled a morning as could be allowed in Melbourne’s sweltering conditions on Monday.

Sharing the love with family and friends proved the perfect preparation, with a spot of doubles thrown in on Monday afternoon.

The duel with Vink had taken its toll on Alcott, who on the eve of his retirement, confessed he felt his age on Sunday night — and he wasn’t the only one.

“I was in the locker room with Gael Monfils, he won in straight (sets) we’re both like, cooked,” Alcott laughed.

“I was like ‘We are old!’

“And he’s like 35. We were both like this (hands on hips), ‘Oh my God. I’m the oldest man in the world!’

“And he wants to keep playing. What is he doing?! Good on him, he’s a weapon. But I’m done.”

Ageless wonder Gael Monfils and Alcott had an amusing encounter after their respective matches. Picture: AFP

A big breakfast — eggs, bacon, potato and avocado among the rest — also fuelled his recovery ahead of Tuesday’s clash with his rival, which Alcott said would perhaps not have been the case in years gone by.

Pickle juice was also on hand for hydration in his victory over Vink, and a new dietitian.

“I used to eat not much, because I wanted to look ripped and skinny, and that probably wasn’t good for your tennis,” he said.

“I’ve leaned into like eating more — not having abs or anything, but just being stronger and fitter. I feel like I’m well-fuelled, which is nice.”

For the record, of course, Sauce has his own Instagram account: @saucealcott