Australian Open 2023: Alfie Hewett bags men's wheelchair singles title

Alfie Hewett was feeling emotional when he won his seventh grand slam title in wheelchair singles and his first at the Australian Open. He shared his goal to become a leader in the sport.

Hewett triumphed in the final at Melbourne Park after two consecutive losses, beating the Japanese 16-year-old Tokito Oda 6-3, 6-1. This victory came for the player from Norfolk, who also claimed the doubles title alongside his British partner Gordon Reid on Friday.

Hewett faced a 1-3 deficit in the first set, but won five consecutive games to win the set and repeated the feat in the second set, clinching the match with an ace. The 25-year-old, who became the world No. 1 after his rival Shingo Kunieda retired, said, "I can't express how I feel right now."


“Third time lucky. Losing the last couple of years has haunted me. With there being such a big gap between the end of the year and the new year, you really have time to dwell on it. It has stuck with me for, I’d say, the last couple of years. The motivation has been growing,” he added.


“To get out there today and overcome a few shaky nerves at the beginning, play some of the tennis I did, I’m extremely proud of the efforts and, of course, the outcome in the end,” Hewett further said.

Wimbledon remains the only singles title that Hewett, who has a total of 23 grand slam titles including doubles, has not won. He lost to Shingo Kunieda in last year's Wimbledon singles final.

On the eve of the tournament, Shingo Kunieda retired with a record of 28 Grand Slam singles titles and 50 total titles, plus four Paralympic gold medals.

FAQs:

1. How old is Alfie Hewett?
   25 years old
2. What is Alfie Hewett’s disability?
   Alfie Hewett first took a wheelchair after he was diagnosed with Perthes Disease.