Dylan Alcott – who, if you’re not so into the sports, you may recognise from Weekend Arvos on triple j – won his fourth consecutive Australian Open wheelchair singles title earlier today.
He even got on the line to his station-mates Liam Stapleton and Ben Harvey to celebrate his victory during the Hottest 100 broadcast, and said he pretty chuffed about taking piccy with one Roger Federer:
I’m sorry that I missed [the Hottest 100]. I’m sitting in the beer garden at the Australian Open, drinking beer out of the trophy. They’re playing the Hottest 100. Life could not get any better!
Thank you to everyone for all the messages. I’ve had so much love. Thank you to everyone listenign to the Hottest 100 that’s been also tuning into the tennis, I bloody love every single one of ya.
He won 7-6 (1) 6-1 against world #1 American David Wagner and joins Roy Emerson and Novak Djokovic as one of three male players to earn three consecutive Oz Open titles.
Alcott has never had use of his legs, having been born with a tumour wrapped around his spinal cord. As an advocate for disabled persons, he tries to change the way people with disabilities are viewed, and with this fuckin’ champion effort, he sure does that.
On the court, Alcott said:
I used to get bullied as a kid. I struggled with the fact that I was in a wheelchair.
But if you ask me right now if I could have an operation or stem-cell research, there’s not enough money you could ever pay me because my disability has given me part of my opportunity in life. I’m proud to be disabled.
You bloody beauty.
