He said he would live if he did not win, and live Dylan Alcott shall. Without an eighth consecutive Australian Open title but with his nation behind him.
On Thursday afternoon, when Alcott lost his quad singles at Rod Laver Arena, he bid farewell to a sporting career matched by few. One featuring 23 grand slam quad titles including 15 in singles, Paralympic gold medals and a revered golden slam.
And while the 31-year-old fought but fell short to Sam Schröder of the Netherlands, succumbing 7-5, 6-0, his Australian of the Year predecessor, Grace Tame, watched from the stands.
At one point Alcott saw Tame’s face pop up on the big screen, paused his service game and said “I love you Tame-y” before winning the point.
At the post-match presentation he came close to tears while saluting the large number of disabled children in attendance.
“It’s because of you all watching today that people like me get, not recognition, but are more integrated in society,” Alcott said. “To my community, thanks for always backing me – I hope to make you proud over the next 12 months. Thank you to every single person for changing my life, I appreciate it so much.
“I’m really the luckiest guy in the world, and I didn’t need to win today to realise that. It would have been nice to win, to be honest, but I’m still the luckiest person in this country, if not the luckiest person in the world.”
Quick GuideHewett falls at final hurdle against Kunieda
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Alfie Hewett's hopes of a second Australian Open title in two days fell just short as he was beaten by Shingo Kunieda in the final of the wheelchair men's singles.
Having won a ninth consecutive grand slam doubles title with Gordon Reid on Wednesday, Hewett was looking to claim his first singles crown in Melbourne. However, Japan's Kunieda proved too strong, cementing his status as the world No 1 with a 7-5, 3-6, 6-2 victory to claim a 26th slam singles crown and 11th at Melbourne Park.
Hewett said: "I thought it was a great display of wheelchair tennis all round. I managed to control some of my emotions in the second set and played some smarter tennis and then in the third set he played one of his best performances. As much as I'm gutted now I can be proud of the efforts I put in out there." PA Media
Alcott had admitted pre-match he was “fried” after rushing to Canberra for Tuesday night’s Australian of the Year ceremony straight after his semi-final win, absorbing all the associated emotion and publicity and then preparing for his “last dance”.
The weariness as Schröder worked him around the court and drawing 31 unforced errors.
“First of all, I want to say congrats to Dylan on having an amazing career. You’ve inspired so many people out there to get out and play sport,” Schröder said. “Thank for your all that you’ve done.
“It’s always great being back here. I love the weather, I love you guys coming to watch today. It was very special.”