‘I Love You So Much’: Wheelchair Tennis Legend Dylan Alcott Bids Emotional Farewell at Australian Open 2022

Dylan Alcott was into his final Grand Slam at the Australian Open 2022. However, the Australian’s hopes of having a fairy-tale ending to his career crashed, when he went down to the Number 2 seed Sam Schroder of the Netherlands in the finals of Quad Wheelchair Singles. The 31-year-old lost in straight sets 7-5, 6-0, in what was a lop-sided encounter at the Rod Laver Arena. However, he has been a source of inspiration for many throughout his glittering career.

Dylan Alcott bids adieu to tennis

The Australian legend got emotional post his final appearance on the tennis court. Speaking to the crowd post-match, he said, “to the Australian Open, I love you so much.” Further, he thanked the tournament director, Craig Tiley, and everyone who had been responsible for changing his life.

Earlier this week, Dylan Alcott was named Australian of the Year and awarded an Officer of the Order (AO) in the Australia Day Honours List. He felt that by winning that award, maybe he might have changed other lives as well.

The Australian legend finishes runners-up in Quad Wheelchair Singles at Australian Open 2022

Playing his final match in front of his home crowd, the Australian started the match brightly as he broke Sam Schroder’s serve in the opening game of the first set. However, the Dutch came back strongly and broke Alcott’s serve straight-after. Further, Dylan Alcott again broke the Dutch’s serve in the ninth game.

That game proved to be a marathon, lasting as many as 14 minutes. The pattern of the match continued, with Schroder breaking back right after to level things up at 5 games apiece.

However, the number 2 seed punched a deciding blow when he broke the Australian’s serve in the final game of the first set to win 7-5. Alcott committed as many as 16 unforced errors in the first set as against his opponent’s 10. Moreover, his win percentage on the first serve was also low as compared to his opponent, which went against the Australian legend.

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The second set proved to be a one-sided affair. The Dutch carried on the momentum in the second set to win it 6-0. Alcott failed to convert any of the 2 breakpoints that were up on the offer. Meanwhile, Schroder converted 3 of the 5 breakpoints to commit a ‘bagel’ in the second set.

With this, Dylan Alcott finished with 23 quad wheelchair Grand Slam titles, including singles and doubles. The Australian legend’s presence on the tennis courts will be missed post his retirement. We wish Dylan Alcott a very happy post-retirement life and success in all his future endeavors.

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