Wimbledon: Shingo Kunieda fought back to win an epic final in three sets, ending Alfie Hewett’s bid for his first Wimbledon wheelchair singles title.
The 24-year-old came within a point of victory four times but failed to serve out and was eventually defeated 4-6 7-5 7-6 (7-5) by the Japanese ace who completed the Golden Slam.
Hewett lost after three hours and twenty minutes in scorching heat, with temperatures reaching 28 degrees. Hewett had already finished runner-up with Gordon Reid in the wheelchair doubles on Saturday.
Hewett had never made the All England Club singles final in his five previous appearances, and he did it the hard way, overcoming a set and 5-1 deficit on Court One to beat Gustavo Fernandez in the last four.
Heartbroken to not get over the line. Left it all out there. This year however has been a truly remarkable week. The attention & support it’s got has been overwhelming. Thank you for all your messages. Wheelchair Tennis won’t be going anywhere. See you next year @Wimbledon 💜💚 pic.twitter.com/lQWwpCTbYT
— Alfie Hewett (@alfiehewett6) July 10, 2022
The Briton made a strong start and earned an early break on this occasion, but several breaks would be exchanged in an hour-long opening set.
It eventually went Hewett’s way, who came back from a 15-40 deficit to win four points in a row and take a 6-4 lead.
After Neal Skupski won the mixed doubles with American Desirae Krawczyk on Thursday, Court Three reacted positively to the prospect of a second home winner of the 2022 Championships.
While the grass on the show court was showing signs of wear, the competition was of the highest calibre.
Kunieda, who was attempting to complete his set of all grand slams and Paralympic gold medals, had to dig deep in the second set, breaking back at 5-4 down before clinching it.
Hewett responded to his disappointment in typical fashion, reeling off two breaks at the start of the decider to retake the lead.
Many people had left Court Three ahead of the Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios final, but with top seed Kunieda threatening another comeback, those who remained tried to rally behind the Briton to help him win.
When Hewett produced the eighth break of the third set, a dream first Wimbledon singles victory was within reach, but Kunieda hit back to force a tie-break.
Kunieda’s experience was crucial, as he rallied from 3-5 down in the tie-break to win seven consecutive points and secure his 28th Grand Slam title.
The crowd gave both players a standing ovation before they exchanged a long embrace at the net.
“I am obviously gutted and that will sting for a while but it has been an incredible week to get wheelchair tennis on Court One and with plenty of people there,” Hewett said.
“I want to say congrats to Shingo and his team, I know of the thousands of Grand Slams you have won, this was one you hadn’t got.
“You didn’t give me a break and we both wanted the win but you are one of the greatest wheelchair players of all time and deserve it.”
Kunieda was equally gracious and also revealed the advice of Roger Federer helped him break his duck on grass.
He said: “My dream came true. Thank you Alfie too, you have more years than me and you will win here in the future.
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