Dylan Alcott farewells tennis and pays tribute to Ash Barty ahead of Australian Open women's final

Physically exhausted and mentally drained, Dylan Alcott sat in front of the world's tennis media for his final press conference.

It wasn't the farewell he wanted or deserved, but it was a far cry from the way things had started for one of Australia's great exponents on the court.

«The first round at my first Australian Open in 2014, January 23, legit, there were five people there — five,» he said, with a voice now instantly recognisable through years of dedication to building his profile, and in turn being a leading voice of disability awareness.

«My dad, mum, brother, couple of mates, and some people got lost and accidentally walked past. Legit, not exaggerating.

»Now … Rod Laver, Channel Nine held the news [for my match], it was the biggest show in town with Nick [Kyrgios] and Thanasi [Kokkinakis] and Ash [Barty] today.

«I'm on the opening billboard when you get here in Melbourne, bloody Australian of the Year, for God's sake. What the hell is that? That's ridiculous.»

It's a phenomenon that is the product of his work off the court as much as his work on it.

A relentless force in front of the camera and on the airwaves, Alcott understands that the game isn't everything. That results are nice, but the impact of his actions and the humanity of him and his fellow tennis stars is what matters most.

A humanity he feels he shares with the likes of Australian Open finalist Barty.

«She's just the best human, first and foremost. Tennis can get stuffed,» he said.

«That is why I love her. The best human. It just so happens that she can play tennis.

»I'm lucky that I call Nick and Thanasi and Ash friends. We all train together. We are just mates. It's cool. It really is. I don't even see them as tennis players, which is pretty whacky. I see