Not since Teddy Flack in 1896 has an Australian athlete bagged Olympic medals in two different sports. But the impressive feats of Dylan Alcott don’t end with Basketball gold and silver in successive Paralympics and an Olympic gold in this year’s Paralympics for Quad Singles Tennis, he’s also recently become the first male athlete ever to complete the Golden Slam, convincingly winning all four majors – the Australian Open, French Open, US Open and Wimbledon.

And it will be in front of his home crowd in Melbourne that Australian tennis superstar Dylan Alcott will call time on his illustrious tennis career. 

“I’ve become the only male ever, in any form of tennis, to win the Golden Slam, which is pretty cool. What better way to finish in my home city in front of big, big crowds?”

Since returning to his beloved tennis from Basketball in 2014, Dylan has claimed a total of 15 Grand Slam quad singles titles, which includes 7 Australian Open titles, 3 US Open titles, 3 French Open titles and has twice lifted the silverware at Wimbledon, making him one of the most successful Australian athletes of all time.

The current world No.1, Dylan Alcott has been a major influencer in promoting wheelchair tennis around the world, as well as bringing much-needed attention to the disabled community.

“Being a tennis player is probably the 32nd priority in my life, and I mean that,” he said. “Being a good person is No.1 … being a good advocate for my community to change perceptions for people like me so they can live the lives they deserve to live and get the opportunities I’ve had.”

“Without tennis I wouldn’t be here sitting and talking here today, potentially sitting here at all to be honest. I owe it everything.”

“I used to hate myself so much”, he confessed. “I hated my disability. I didn’t even want to be here anymore. Then I found tennis and it changed and saved my life.”

Such rawness and honesty can only be applauded, and will no doubt resonate with other people living with disabilities.

Alcott said he was more proud of the work he has done off the court. Is it any wonder he also holds an OAM?