Australian Open: Alfie Hewett of the United Kingdom won the men’s wheelchair singles competition at the Australian Open on Saturday by defeating Tokito Oda 6-3, 6-1.
The No. 1 player in the world, Hewett, who finished second at Melbourne Park in 2021 and 2022, won his sixth Grand Slam singles championship.
For the Norfolk player, who also won the doubles championship with British teammate Gordon Reid on Friday, the victory capped off a perfect two days.
Words can’t describe the feeling of this. It means so much. The journey hasn’t been easy Melbourne, I hope there will be more, but I’ll never forget this one 💙🏆 pic.twitter.com/0d3MwqI6q3
— Alfie Hewett (@alfiehewett6) January 28, 2023
The incredible @alfiehewett6 😘🏆 #BackTheBrits 🇬🇧 | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/I3fjoYgaQ9
— LTA (@the_LTA) January 28, 2023
Hewett fell behind 3-1 in the first set but came back to win five straight games to win it. He then repeated the pattern to win the second set and sealed the victory with an ace before breaking down in tears of joy.
This time around has ‘been a dream,’ Hewitt said Sky Sports News. “It doesn’t get much better than that to end the week with a first-place finish in singles, a doubles championship with Gordon, and the top rating in the world.
“Australia has experienced a lot of heartache in recent years. Today was another chance to change that, and although I may have started out a little tight, I was able to do so.
“I managed the match effectively, and after I took the opening set, I was much more at ease and played my best tennis.”
Hewett now has 23 Grand Slam championships altogether, with Wimbledon being the only singles title he has not claimed.
After my performances in the previous years, of course, I think I can win it,” he remarked. We’ll find out about the mentality when we arrive.
Shingo Kunieda of Japan announced his retirement on the eve of the competition after accumulating an all-time high of 50 overall titles, 28 Grand Slam singles trophies, and four Paralympic gold medals.
Since Shingo announced his retirement, Hewett added, “Someone’s got to step up. I believe that I can get close to breaking his record with my skills. My experience, confidence, and playing style allow me to support myself in every slam at this point.
“Obviously, you handle each one separately. However, I would adore the power. I would like to be the face of this sport.”
In the women’s wheelchair singles final, Dutch veteran Diede de Groot overcame a poor start to defeat Yui Kamiji 0-6 6-2 6-2, extending her winning streak to nine straight Grand Slam victories.
The victory was de Groot’s fifth Australian Open triumph and total 17th Grand Slam singles crown.
Sam Schroder, the second seed, defeated top-seeded Niels Vink, a fellow Dutchman, in the quad-singles final to win his fourth Grand Slam championship.
Alexander Blockx, the third seed, became the first youngster from Belgium to win the Australian Open singles title. American Learner Tien was defeated by him 6-1, 2-6, and 7-6. (11-9).
Stay Tuned for Tennis live score, tennis court, tennis match today, live tennis daily, latest tennis news, live tennis score, tennis match today daily, tennis court live, live tennis daily update and other tennis news follow Livematchupdates.com.
