Skip to main content
12221
Back to International Paralympic Committee homepage Go to
Contrast:
High Contrast
Normal Contrast
Enlargement:
Larger Font Size
Default Font Size
Smaller Font Size
    • Home
    • News
    • Athletes
    • Schedule/Results
    • Tickets
    • Countries
    • Samsung Bloggers
    • Fan Zone
    • Watch
    • Sports
    • About
    • Newsletter
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Youtube
    • Instagram

    It’s double wheelchair tennis gold for Alcott

    14.09.2016

    What a transformation in four years as winner swaps sports to claim top honours and British pair make singles final against the odds.

    © •
    Listen to this page using ReadSpeaker
    Related News
    Victory for Vio in wheelchair fencing foil event
    Britons launch comeback bid on sailing day three
    Siamand Rahman makes history by breaking 300kg barrier

    “To reach the pinnacle of two Paralympic sports and win gold in both sports, if you told me that when I was a little kid when I was having a tough time about my insecurities about my chair, I would’ve said “no way, mate!”

    Australia’s Dylan Alcott claimed his second gold medal in 24 hours and Great Britain created history on a wonderful Wednesday of wheelchair tennis.

    Alcott backed up his gold in the quad doubles with another victory, this time in the quad singles, on Wednesday (14 September).

    Meanwhile, the men’s singles gold medal match will be an all-British final for the first time in Paralympic history, as Gordon Reid and Alfie Hewett secured their spots in the final.

    Four years ago, neither British pair nor Alcott thought they would achieve what they have: Hewett was a spectator at the 2012 men’s singles final; 20-year-old Reid was knocked out in the quarter-finals; and Alcott was claiming a silver medal in the men’s wheelchair basketball to add to the gold he won in 2008.

    How times have changed for the trio in Rio.

    Reid took control of his match against world number one Stephane Houdet and powered his way into the final.

    After a tense first set which went to the Brit 7-5, the 24-year-old took complete control of the second as he dominated the rallies and went on to win 6-2 to add to an already fantastic 2016.

    “I could never have dreamed to have had such a good year so far,” said Reid.

    “I’m just loving every minute of being out on court and playing tennis and showcasing our sport to a massive crowd here and to the massive coverage all over the world.

    “After the doubles yesterday when we made it to the gold medal match I was really relaxed because I felt we were in complete control of the match yesterday. Today I kind of felt the same way, especially in that second set, I felt in complete control of the match.”

    Hewett will join his doubles partner in the all-British final as he made a fantastic first set comeback to help him on his way to victory over world number two Joachim Gerard.

    The youngster came back from 3-0 down to win the first set 7-5, before hitting several brilliant backhand winners to claim the second set 6-3 and his place in the gold medal match, as well as his first victory over the Belgian.

    “I’m absolutely speechless right now. I did not think this morning that I would win that. My track record against him; I’ve never beaten him before,” delighted Hewett.

    “Jo made it tough and made it a good game, but I feel like I’m on form right now and this is the best thing that has ever happened to me.”

    In the quad singles it was delight for Dylan, as the Australian claimed his second wheelchair tennis gold medal in his debut Paralympics in the sport; his third gold medal across two sports.

    Alcott battled throughout the game against Great Britain’s Andy Lapthorne in a thoroughly entertaining quad singles final with both players pushing themselves to the limit.

    The Aussie took the first set 6-3 before a to-and-fro second set of each player breaking serve before Alcott clinch the gold 6-4 in an hour and 34 mins.

    “To reach the pinnacle of two Paralympic sports and win gold in both sports, if you told me that when I was a little kid when I was having a tough time about my insecurities about my chair, I would’ve said “no way, mate!”,” said Alcott.

    “It’s a massive feeling of relief because I’ve been thinking about it for a while, but also so proud of my team and friends and family and everyone that has supported me.”

    Lapthorne said: “I knew going out there today that I was going to have to grind, I was going to have to rally and try my best to get into the game.

    “The guy is the best in the world and a brilliant tennis player and he came out and proved why tonight.

    “One thing is for sure our division is going places and the more people who see our division the more people will respect our division, and believe you me this is just the start.”

    Elsewhere, David Wagner claimed the victory in the bronze medal match with a stunning third-set comeback over South Africa’s Lucas Sithole.

    The game was all level at two sets all before USA’s Wagner came from 5-1 down to claim the third 7-5.

    “Yeah, it’s a great feeling to come out with a win after a really long hard week. It feels good to end on a high note,” said Wagner.

    • Tweet
      • print
      • send
    LATEST NEWS
    Nadezhda Fedorova suspended for anti-doping violation 05.08.2019 Nadezhda Fedorova suspended for anti-doping violation
    Nottwil 2019: USA top table as Junior Worlds conclude 05.08.2019 Nottwil 2019: USA top table as Junior Worlds conclude
    Nottwil 2019: Breathless third day 04.08.2019 Nottwil 2019: Breathless third day
    Nottwil 2019: Noah Malone makes his way 03.08.2019 Nottwil 2019: Noah Malone makes his way
    Vote for July’s Athlete of the Month 02.08.2019 Vote for July’s Athlete of the Month
    More news...following the link
    Worldwide Paralympic Partners
    Go to Atos partner page
    Go to Bridgestone partner page
    Go to OttoBock partner page
    Go to Panasonic partner page
    Go to Samsung partner page
    Go to Toyota partner page
    Go to Visa partner page
    International Partners
    Go to Allianz partner page
    Go to BP partner page
    Go to Citi partner page
    • FAQ
    • Privacy
    • Imprint
    • Jobs
    Powered by Go to Atos. Worldwide IPC partner page
    The Paralympic Games
    Summer Games
    Winter Games
    Sochi 2014
    Rio 2016
    All the results & medallist since 1960
    Games video archive
    About the IPC
    Who we are
    Anti-Doping
    Medical
    Partners
    IPC Strategic Plan 2015-2018
    IPC Handbook
    Publications and Documents
    Media Centre
    News
    Features & Interviews
    The Paralympian
    Videos
    Athlete of the Month
    Media Office
    Sports
    Summer Sports
    Winter Sports
    Biographies
    NPCS
    Africa
    America
    Asia
    Europe
    Oceania
    Go to International Paralympic Committee homepage
    Official Website of the Paralympic Movement • IPC
    Homepage
    Paralympic Games
    The IPC
    Results, Ranking & Records
    Media Centre
    Videos
    Sports
    International Paralympic Committee (IPC)
    Adenauerallee 212-214, 53113 Bonn, Germany
    Telephone: +49-228-2097-200 • Fax: +49-228-2097-209 • E-mail: info@paralympic.org
    08:47:32