Britain's Alfie Hewett follows up doubles glory with singles triumph in latest remarkable feat at Australian Open
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Updated 28/01/2023 at 09:29 GMT
Another day, another inspired Grand Slam triumph for Britain's dominant wheelchair tennis star Alfie Hewett. A day after clinching the men's doubles title alongside his longstanding partner, Gordon Reid, Hewett followed that up with another crown in the men's singles on Saturday. The top seed had lost the last two finals at Melbourne Park in the singles, so this was a glorious response.
Watch emotional moment Britain's Hewett clinches first Australian Open title
Britain's Alfie Hewett followed up his doubles glory with a stunning wheelchair singles triumph as he defeated third seed Tokito Oda in straight sets in the final on Saturday at the Australian Open.
The top seed wasted no time in doubling up on the trophies front at Melbourne Park as he overcame Oda in straight sets, 6-3 6-1, in just 69 minutes to go one better than the previous two years.
Having lost in the last two finals, Hewett was utterly determined to succeed this time round and he never looked like losing in a pretty one-sided match on Margaret Court Arena.
For the 16-year-old from Japan, it was a remarkable achievement to even reach the showpiece match in Melbourne, and Hewett ensured that he was never allowed to really settle into the contest.
The 25-year-old from Norwich is now a seven-time Grand Slam singles champion having also claimed three titles at the French Open and the US Open.
“First of all, I wanted to say massive congratulations for reaching the final, Tokito [Oda], and your team as well," Hewett said in his victory speech.
"I mean, you’re 16 years old, it’s an absolute scandal what you’re doing at the moment. Your level is incredible and I’m very confident this won’t be your last singles final at a Grand Slam. I’m sure one day your name will be on the trophy at some point.”
“For me, this was one heck of a battle really, I think more mentally than anything. Those tears that you saw there were seven years in the making.
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Watch the moment Britain's Hewett lifts Australian Open trophy after wheelchair singles triumph
"I remember my first time on this court about three, four years ago now. I think I cried after that as well because I actually just won my first match here, which took me about four years as well.
"Then to make two finals and lose in narrow three-setters in those, it really starts to eat up at you over some time.
“So to get the opportunity to come out here today and just get the win and finally get my hands on that trophy is something I’m very proud of."
This latest Grand Slam triumph followed Hewett and Reid taking the doubles title on Friday with a 6-1 6-2 victory over Dutch duo Maikel Scheffers and Ruben Spaargaren.
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'Those tears were seven years in making' - Hewett on emotions of winning Australian Open singles
Incredibly, it was their 16th Grand Slam title together in doubles and their fourth successive crown at the Australian Open.
The legendary British pairing clinched 10 consecutive Grand Slam doubles titles between 2019 and 2022 in a period of unbelievable dominance.
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Hewett defeats Oda to clinch wheelchair singles title - Australian Open highlights
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