Australian Open: Alfie Hewett had 'imposter syndrome' at BBC SPOTY awards

Alfie Hewett said being on the Sports Personality of the Year shortlist was good for the profile of wheelchair tennis

Wheelchair tennis champion Alfie Hewett says he felt he had "imposter syndrome" at the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year awards.

Speaking to the BBC for the first time since the annual awards ceremony in December, he said it was "an incredible night".

He was one of six nominated for the main award, but did not win.

The Norfolk-based player has made a great start to 2024, making the final of the Australian Open singles.

"I don't have the words to describe what [the ceremony] meant," he said.

Hewett was up against cricketer Stuart Broad, jockey Frankie Dettori, footballer Mary Earps, decathlon World Champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson and golfer Rory McIlroy for the main award, which was won by England goalie Earps in a public vote.

Hewett will play in his fourth successive Australian Open final

"It felt like a moment for everyone around me to celebrate and enjoy - it's not every day you get nominated for an award like that," said Hewett, who is from Cantley.

"Regardless of the outcome [at the awards] I was so proud to be there and for wheelchair tennis to get that sort of recognition is great," Hewett said.

"We want to make the sport more visible to as many people as possible and obviously being nominated for an award like that is great for that."

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Hewett's successes in 2023 included winning the men's wheelchair singles at the Australian Open and US Open, and he was appointed OBE in the King's Birthday Honours.

This Saturday, Hewett plays Takito Oda in the final in Melbourne having beaten Belgium's Joachim Gerard in the semis.

His doubles semi-final, with partner Gordon Reid, was postponed on Thursday due to rain.

'Star struck'

He admitted it was a little intimidating being surrounded by some of the biggest names in British sport at the BBC awards.

"I watch a lot of sport outside of tennis, and just to see so many athletes that I watched on the telly and looked up to, it almost felt like imposter syndrome being there on the stage looking down at all these amazing people," he said.

"I was like - I'm the one up here on the stage. It was mind-blowing, but I had a good time.

"I got a little bit star struck when Tommy Fury [boxer and younger brother of Tyson Fury] walked past. I watch a lot of the YouTubers, but I wasn't brave enough to ask him for a photo."

You can follow scores from the Australia Open on the BBC Sport website.