No dream ending for Dylan Alcott as Australian Open final defeat ushers in retirement

He said he would live if he did not win, and live Dylan Alcott shall. Without an eighth consecutive Australian Open title but with his nation behind him.

On Thursday afternoon, when Alcott lost his quad singles at Rod Laver Arena, he bid farewell to a sporting career matched by few. One featuring 23 grand slam quad titles including 15 in singles, Paralympic gold medals and a revered golden slam.

And while the 31-year-old fought but fell short to Sam Schröder of the Netherlands, succumbing 7-5, 6-0, his Australian of the Year predecessor, Grace Tame, watched from the stands.

At one point Alcott saw Tame’s face pop up on the big screen, paused his service game and saluted her, saying “I love you Tame-y” before winning the point.

“It’s because of you all watching today that people like me get, not recognition, but are more integrated in society,” Alcott said in his post-match presentation. “To my community thanks for always backing me I hope to make you proud over the next 12 months. Thank you to every single person for changing my life, I appreciate it so much.

“I’m really the luckiest guy in the world, and I didn’t need to win today to realise that. It would have been nice to win, to be honest, but I’m still the luckiest person in this country, if not the luckiest person in the world.”

Schröder was good for his victory, making just 14 unforced errors to Alcott’s 31 en route to his second grand slam title after claiming the 2020 US Open crown.

“First of all, I want to say congrats to Dylan on having an amazing career. You’ve inspired so many people out there to get out and play sport,” Schröder said. “Thank for your all that you’ve done.

“It’s always great being back here. I love the weather, I love you guys coming to