That next thing happens to be the high-profile Australian of the Year role, with the Melburnian taking over from Grace Tame.
Alcott’s new status comes with an AO [Officer of the Order of Australia], not the first time he’s been recognised in the Australia Day honours.
Dylan Alcott will continue his mission as a disability advocate after he brings down the curtain on his tennis career.Credit:Joe Armao
Thirteen years ago, the then fresh-faced 18-year-old picked up a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM). It landed in his lap simply because he was a member of Australia’s wheelchair basketball team, the Rollers, which famously won Paralympic gold in Beijing in 2008.
It was a great thing to get, Alcott freely admits, and he’s talked about the medal hundreds of times since, but it didn’t feel quite right.
“I felt so ridiculous. I remember the person announced before me saved the eyesight of like 3000 people,” Alcott said. “I had a top night but I was a kid.”
Dylan Alcott celebrates winning championship point against Niels Vink of the Netherlands in their US Open wheelchair quad singles final match last year to complete the grand slam. Credit:Getty Images
In 2014, he switched back to the sport he played as a kid, wheelchair tennis, and has made the wheelchair quad category his thing. Only last year he won the ‘golden grand slam’ with victory at the Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon, the US Open and at the Tokyo Paralympics where he won his second singles Paralympic gold.
Alcott had a noticeable public profile before Brazil’s 2016 Paralympics but, by winning two golds (including a doubles title with close friend Heath Davidson) there, he became a household name back home, as recognisable as any athlete you’ll find at Melbourne Park. In 2018, ANZ even replaced Novak Djokovic with Alcott as the face of their Australian Open advertising campaign.
While you see him on advertisements, hear him on the radio and, significantly, watch him on the tennis court in prime TV spots, his advocacy work is what he’s most proud of. A charismatic figure who crowd-surfed in a wheelchair at a music gig, his foundation started Ability Fest, an inclusive and fully accessible music festival in Melbourne.
“Changing perspectives, that’s what I got this for [the AO]. Not because I won tennis tournaments, that’s why I’m pretty emotional about it,” Alcott said.
There’s been a reminder at Melbourne Park this week of how Alcott’s transformational persona, primarily though his sport, has made a tangible difference.
Now into his 30s the Australian had to find every tool at his disposal in a come-from-behind first-round win against an opponent much younger than him, 19-year-old Dutchman Niels Vink.
Alcott is one of the reasons why Vink – who had a bacterial infection (meningococcal sepsis) as a baby, resulting in the amputation of his legs and fingertips – ended up in the sport. Vink was inspired by reading the story of Alcott’s life, Able.
Last year in Tokyo, the two had an emotional moment at the net after Vink narrowly failed to beat his idol. Alcott subsequently went on to the final and picked up the gold.
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“I needed to read a book at my school, for English, and then I choose to read Dylan’s book,” Vink told The Age and Sydney Morning Herald.
“It really inspired me. When I came into the [wheelchair] quad category Dylan was number one, and I always wanted to be in his place, so it’s really nice to play against him.
“What he’s doing in Melbourne, in Australia, is amazing.”
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Vink’s compatriot Sam Schroder, who he plays in Thursday’s final, concurs.
“I think just being around him, it’s amazing to see how positive an influence he has around all the fans, people watching at home, people with a disability, trying to get them to play tennis, or even just to exercise,” Schroder said.
“I think that’s great. I get a lot of energy as well from that.”
Vink and Schroder are the new faces of the sport but, truth be told, they would have preferred a few more wins against the Australian. Schroder did have his measure at the 2020 US Open final, however.
“Yeah, I know. I’ve never beaten him!,” said the teenage Vink. “[I’m] a little bit sad … He’s an animal on court, he’s always [has] good sportsmanship.”
Alcott knows that both Dutchmen are the future of his craft. Vink, in particular, is one to watch.
“I tell you what he is, he’s fit, strong, has a good disability for [the] move to tennis, no legs, so obviously power weight is awesome,” said Alcott.
“But most importantly, when I came from tennis to basketball, I was hungry. I was hungry and I wanted to rip everyone’s heads off.
“I’m like his hero growing up. He wants to kill me, he doesn’t get nervous at all. I love that. That’s tough to do. I think that’s cool. I really love that about him.”
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Alcott’s legacy to be admired and felt for years
Source: Philippines Alive
