Disabilities no bar to success

Aussie champion Dylan Alcott is a great role model for young people, especially those battling the odds. His lethal backhand, speed around a tennis court and sharp serve helped Alcott, 29, win his sixth consecutive Australian Open Men’s Quad Wheelchair Singles championship on Rod Laver Arena on Saturday. His play against British rival Andrew Lapthorne (who beat him in last year’s US Open) was impressive. So was the $40,000 Alcott and his sponsors donated to people with disabilities affected by the bushfires.

Alcott was born with a tumour wrapped around his spinal cord. It was removed successfully when he was a baby, but he was left a paraplegic. After leaving school he achieved a commerce degree at university and played top-level basketball as well as tennis. While he has also won titles at the US Open, Wimbledon and the French Open and two Paralympics tennis gold medals, he credits the Australian Open as the best tournament for breaking down barriers.

After his victory, he encouraged young people with disabilities to pursue their dreams. “To any young person, please keep doing what you’re doing,’’ he said. “I promise you as we keep continuing to grow, society will support you and help you do whatever you want to do, like it has done for me.”