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Australian Prime Minister and Others React to Dylan Alcott’s Sad News

ByKshitij Tayal

Nov 9, 2021 | 5:13 AM EST

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Australian wheelchair tennis champion Dylan Alcott has announced he will retire after the 2022 Australian Open. Since turning professional in 2014, Alcott has established himself as one of the greatest wheelchair tennis players in history. He will bring an end to his sensational career in his home city, Melbourne, in January.

The 30-year-old is a 15-time Grand Slam singles champion and has won eight Grand Slam doubles titles. Alcott is also a four-time Paralympic gold medal winner.

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This year, he scripted history by becoming the first man in any form of tennis to achieve a Calendar Golden Slam – winning all four Grand Slam titles and Paralympic or Olympic gold.

Australian PM and fans pay tribute to Dylan Alcott

Following his retirement announcement, none other than the Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison paid a huge tribute to Alcott. NSW Minister for Sports Natalie Ward, Leader of the Australian Labor Party Anthony Albanese, Peter McEvoy, and many others congratulated Alcott on an incredible career.

He is an absolute Aussie champion and has done our country so proud.
He will leave an incredible legacy with his many achievements. We will all be cheering him on at the @AustralianOpen in January.
On behalf of all of us, a huge thank you @DylanAlcott. Enjoy your retirement. https://t.co/YRRvD1dpLI
— Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) November 9, 2021

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A legend of Australian sport retiring at the top of his game. Thank you @dylanalcott for your brilliance – what an amazing ambassador for tennis, and for our country 🇦🇺 🎾. https://t.co/VDmzBraiKZ
— Natalie Ward (@natwardmlc) November 9, 2021

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.@DylanAlcott has announced he’ll be retiring after the next @AustralianOpen. An Aussie tennis legend.🇦🇺🎾 pic.twitter.com/nVynAQQDB9
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) November 9, 2021

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What a champ. We’ll miss watching @DylanAlcott on court but looking forward to the next chapter. https://t.co/LCev0CvSps
— Peter McEvoy (@petermcevoy) November 9, 2021

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If you know me, you know how much I love @DylanAlcott, and you’d understand that this news has made me a bit emotional. He is a champion in every sense of the word. A legend.
Congratulations on a stunning career, Dyl – hope you finish it on a high with a home Grand Slam win 💛💚 https://t.co/xn8u5wxZvN
— Dani Brown (@itsdanibrown) November 9, 2021

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Hailing Alcott as a legend of the sport, scores of fans have congratulated the wheelchair champion over his remarkable achievements and for making Australians proud.

Absolutely. Great role model and champion. People like Dylan don’t come along every day. Is there room for a statue at RLA?
— Anne Morrison (@annesm18) November 9, 2021

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Can’t beleive Dylan Alcott is going to retire. His winning everything was the only reliable thing in my life.
— Titus O’Reily (@TitusOReily) November 9, 2021

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Legend!👏🏻👏🏻💜
— Ella Lee (@elee_bella) November 9, 2021

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At the 2022 Australian Open, which will be his career’s last tournament, Alcott will aim to win an eighth successive title. For the World No.1, it will be a fitting farewell to finish his career in front of his home crowds.

“There’s no way I could finish my career a few weeks ago because the US Open was not my home. This is my home and the Australian Open changed my life. What better way to finish than in my home in front of crowds,” Alcott said.

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Apart from his remarkable on-court achievements, Alcott has been a staunch advocate for the rights of people living with disabilities. Wishing Alcott an incredible post-retirement life!