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Dylan Alcott loses his wheelchair final but wins hearts and minds with incredible farewell speech
Dylan Alcott lost his quad wheelchair final to Sam Schroder in straight sets but he brushed off the disappointment to deliver a stunning farewell speech in his final Australian Open.
Alcott was going for an eighth Australian Open title but he was outclassed 7-5, 6-0. It was more than a game though as Alcott has said so often whether he wins or whether he loses.
The match had so much interest that Channel Nine decided to delay its 6pm news on the eastern states, something that would be unheard of for wheelchair tennis just five years ago.
“I’m the luckiest guy in the world and I didn’t need to win to realise that,” Alcott – the recently named Australian of the Year said in his runner-up speech.
“Look up in the middle ring (of Rod Laver Arena). See how many people with disabilities are in. That’s the reason I get out of bed.”
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