Dylan Alcott beats David Wagner to win his fourth consecutive Australian Open title
WITH more than a few calls of “come on baby”, Dylan Alcott secured his fourth Australian Open title. The win puts him in a class of his own, above male tennis greats like Roy Emerson and Novak Djokovic.
Tennis
Don't miss out on the headlines from Tennis. Followed categories will be added to My News.
HE’S done it again.
For the fourth time, no less.
With more than a few calls of “come on baby”, Dylan Alcott on Saturday became the Australian Open champion for a fourth straight time.
The Melburnian sought revenge on American world No. 1 David Wagner – who won their previous clash earlier this week – with a 7-6 (1) 6-1 win on Rod Laver Arena to claim the men’s quad wheelchair singles.
And while a third consecutive title this time last year was sweet, a fourth had something a little extra.
TITLE 20? FEDERER’S ‘BITTERSWEET’ OPEN WIN
GRAPHIC: CHUNG REVEALS AUS OPEN BLISTER PAIN
“This felt a bit more like (when I won gold in) Rio, in the fact that I felt a little bit more relieved, as well,” Alcott said.
“Because of the ANZ ad, Will Smith, Rod Laver Arena, the build-up. If I’d choked, I would have been pretty flat.
“This is the icing on the cake for the two weeks.
“I really wanted to cap it off, because a lot of people have supported me. Last year was a bonus.”
Alcott said he was “embarrassed” by his showing at the US Open and was determined to make amends.
“I was unfit and doing so much radio … I worked really hard to get fit for this one,” he said.
“A lot of 6am boxing and stuff. To be able to put it into the game (on Saturday)…it was awesome.”
Alcott and Wagner had played a three-set thriller on Thursday, which the American won 6-4 6-7 (4) 6-4 before Alcott defeated countryman Heath Davidson on Friday night to win through to the final.
The wheelchair event is structured as such that players can lose a match, but still make the final.
DYLAN ALCOTT: THE RISE OF AN AUSSIE STAR
BIG WIN: ALCOTT SNARES NEWCOMBE MEDAL
Alcott, 27, delivered a blistering 46 winners on his way to victory, with his one-handed backhand a handy weapon in his arsenal.
The local enjoyed plenty of support, with spectators allowed into the arena with a ground pass.
Alcott was born with a tumour wrapped around his spinal cord. When it was removed, his spinal cord was damaged. He spent almost four years in and out of hospital and endured some 15 operations.
He has never had use of his legs, and is proud to be disabled and hopes to continue change the way people perceive disabilities.
Saturday, he said, was about more than just a tennis match.
He said he had received “hundreds” of messages from disabled children, their parents and disabled adults about his performance throughout the tournament.
“I want to thank everybody involved. As you can tell by my last two weeks, I love the Australian Open. It’s my favourite time of year,” Alcott said.
“I was on the ANZ commercial this year … you (ANZ) changed a lot of lives for taking a bit of a risk and putting someone with a disability at the front of your brand. I remember when I was a little kid, I used to ask my parents and my brother why I didn’t see anybody like me on TV.
“For a kid who’s now like me, they would have seen somebody like them on every single ad break of the tennis. That meant the absolute world to me.”
Only three male players in history have claimed three or more consecutive Australian Open titles - Roy Emerson, Novak Djokovic and Dylan Alcott, with Alcott the only male player in the Open era across all formats of the tournament to claim four-straight singles wins.
Wagner, who has three Australian Open titles to his name, struggled with the heat due to his inability to sweat.
“It’s always fun to play here in Australia for people who enjoy the heat, which isn’t me,” the American said.
“You may or may not know this, but as a quadriplegic, I don’t sweat, and so it’s extremely hot for me out here. I need as much shade as I can so I’m going to keep this super short.
“Congratulations to Dylan, and thank you for everything. I’ll be back next year… when it’s colder.”
Shock career move after star flees country
Italian tennis star Camila Giorgi has changed her career again after sensationally quitting tennis to become a lingerie model last year.
Hunter reveals comeback plan, 10 months after brutal injury struck
Struck down by a brutal injury off the back of a career-best run, an Aussie tennis ace has revealed her plans to return to the court later this month.