Australian Open 2017: Dylan Alcott beats Andy Lapthorne to win quad wheelchair title

  • Published
Pat Rafter, Andy Lapthorne of Britain, Dylan Alcott of Australia and Tennis Australia President Steve HealyImage source, EPA
Image caption,

Pat Rafter (left) handed the trophy to fellow Australian Alcott (second from right)

Australia's Paralympic champion Dylan Alcott beat Britain's Andy Lapthorne to win the quad wheelchair singles final at the Australian Open.

Alcott came through 6-2 6-2 on the Rod Laver Arena to win his third consecutive Australian title.

"It feels amazing," said the 26-year-old, external from Melbourne.

"To go three in a row is what I wanted, but to play in the first ever wheelchair match on the Centre Court of a Grand Slam feels unbelievable."

Lapthorne, 26, had already won the quad doubles title on Thursday alongside American David Wagner.

"Congrats Dylan, you're by far the best player in the world right now," said Lapthorne.

"You deserved the victory. Sorry for today's performance, it wasn't one of my best but maybe the moment got to me a bit.

"We'll work hard and go again. Thank you the Australian Open for having this wheelchair final on the Centre Court. I may have lost this match but I'll remember this for the rest of my life."

Related internet links

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.