AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 27, 2022

Dylan Alcott

Press Conference

S. SCHRODER/D. Alcott

7-5, 6-0

THE MODERATOR: Understandably there will be a lot of emotions running around right now, but just tell us how you're feeling right now.

DYLAN ALCOTT: Yeah, I'm all right. I'm wrecked. Tried to hang on to one last Grand Slam but couldn't get it done but I didn't deserve to win today. Sammy played really well so credit to him. I didn't play my best tennis.

Look, it's been a big week, big year, big 31 years, to be honest. I think I'm going to retire, because when you know you're ready, the wins mean less and the losses don't hurt as much. I'm honestly okay. You know, I obviously wanted to go out on a massive high but couldn't get it done.

I knew going to Canberra was a risk and I was wrecked after that. But I'm still glad I did it. I had no idea I was winning. To win and be able to do that and to be Australian of the Year and that stuff's way more important than winning tennis tournaments to me. I said that and I live that, and I went there and did it, yeah.

Bummed not finish out winning it, but the difference between 15 and 16 Grand Slams to me is not much, to be honest. The same as 15 to 8. Like, I don't count them. I forget how many I've won. It's not what I'm about.

I've got to say the crowd out there was unbelievable, that was pretty special.

THE MODERATOR: Questions?

Q. Over those 15 slams, if you go back to the first one compared to now, what's changed, be it media interest, fans in the stands, how do you put into words the transformation?

DYLAN ALCOTT: Can't put into words. You've got to see it. But I'll do my best.

The first round at my first Australian Open in 2014, January 23, legit, there was five people there, five; my dad, mom, brother, couple of mates, and some people got lost and accidentally walked past. Legit, not exaggerating.

Now as full as humanly possible Rod Laver, Channel 9 held the news, it was the biggest show in town with Nick and Thanasi and Ash 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.

People might think that I love myself and it's all about me but it's not. That's not what I'm about. It's about changing perceptions so more people with disability get their opportunity to be them. Not winning a gold medal, not winning Grand Slams, but just going to a cafe, enjoying their life, having a job, going on a date, having a hit at tennis, whatever it is.

So I never thought it would happen but it was my goal to make it happen, and it's happened a trillion times more than I thought. And it's not going to stop happening whatever I do next, I'm going to make sure it keeps happening. I'm excited for the next part of my life, whatever that may be.

Q. From five people at that first game to today, was there a watershed moment? Did it slowly build? Were you thinking, Wow, this is taking a big step or...

DYLAN ALCOTT: No, it just kept evolving, getting bigger. I was talking to Ben Rothenberg, he said a good point: Tennis players have won Grand Slams and gold medals in wheelchairs before but haven't had that cut through. It's got nothing really to do about me playing tennis, to be honest.

It's about what I say, I guess who I am, mostly being fully proud of who I am, authentically me, and challenging the status quo, saying, Why the hell can't we be on Rod Laver? Why the hell can't I do a postmatch? Why the hell shouldn't the biggest brands in Australia sponsor a disabled athlete instead of the World No. 1 in the men's or women's, everybody? Why not? They're like, Why not? Why don't we give it a crack.

It just shows it's all about opportunity. Life is about opportunity. If we have no expectations of what people with disability can do, we're not going to give them opportunities. People backed me and gave me an opportunity and that's why we did it.

But as I said, I did the easy part, which is being me. It's the Australian Open, the broadcasters, the sponsors, the journos, and most importantly the people that get behind it is the reason it's happened. Not me.

People with disability that came before me didn't have the recognition they deserved, and that made me upset. That used to hurt me for them. And it's time that that's not gonna happen anymore. I really do.

Q. If you talk about this process and this confidence and now that you are retiring, what will happen for wheelchair tennis internationally for the Grand Slams? Obviously I feel, as a German, handicapped sport is in a very good position here in Australian, and Europe lags a bit behind. And with the other competitors on tour, what do you think will happen? Will there be a big hole, are you afraid?

DYLAN ALCOTT: I hope there's not a hole, and I don't think there will be because they're ready to go. But as I said, I wish we could just get it done without tennis, like everyday people. It's just not how it is yet, just being honest. And that sucks. That's not good enough. You could win 25 Grand Slams in a wheelchair and people don't know who you are. That's bullshit. They should know.

The reason I've been able to cut through is because of who I am and what I say and what we stand for as a community. Luckily I just know how to string two words together. And also, I've got a get-stuff-done attitude where I just want to get it done but they're ready to go. I'm redundant. I'm officially a retired washed-up proper loser, and I love that. I am redundant, don't need me, I'm done, time for someone else to take the reins. And it's hard to take the reins when everybody is talking about one person. Just how it is.

There's the big three and the everybody men's tennis. What about all these other great players? No, let's talk about the big three. No, no, get around them. It's going to be hard until they leave. Agreed?

Well, I'm out of here. I hold the limelight and I don't want to. I'm ready to go on to the next part.

Q. How nuts was this week for you obviously detouring from mid Grand Slam to a different city to accept this award, this massive deal? How challenging is that to throw that between a semifinal and final in a Grand Slam?

DYLAN ALCOTT: Just I cannot tell you how rinsed I am. That's not an excuse, but I am cooked. But I'm always cooked because I always do everything, because I feel -- you know, because I want to always. When I make decisions, I ask decisions via my purpose. What is my purpose and does that help my purpose?

Going up to Canberra on the very, very slim chance of winning Australian of the Year very much helped my purpose, so I gotta go. Did I think I was gonna win? Absolutely not. Can I believe I still won? Absolutely not. People kept saying to me, Congratulations, this is morning. I said, What for? I haven't played yet. Oh, I won Australian of the Year. I forgot.

Not ideal. Would I change it? Absolutely not. Because it's a huge honor but also, you know, meant a lot to me. Judging by what I read online, it meant a lot to a lot of people as well, able-bodied or disabled.

There will be people that hate me and think I'm no good and will disagree with what I say, and that's completely up to them. That's fine, they're allowed to. I'm just going to do the best that I can.

I keep getting asked, What are you going to do as Australian of the Year? I say, I've got absolutely no idea because I've never been Australian of the Year. I don't know what to do. But I'm going to do what I do, which is just be me and talk about what I believe in and just bloody enjoy life, to be honest.

Q. Really tight moments there late in the first set and also start of second. Was there a moment where you thought he's actually got me here or I can come back?

DYLAN ALCOTT: Yeah, I always, always in my career win the big points. I didn't win the big points today, did I? That was the difference. It's one of my big strengths, and I was missing by a (indiscernible) every time. I got a little bit like, I think it's not my day here, but that's all right. It isn't your day sometimes. I just felt it wasn't my day. How many times did I miss by half a ball?

But then he put pressure, he played a great second set. I thought he was going to choke a bit, didn't choke, so credit to him.

I think early on he was nervous, and I should have followed up, but I stuffed up a few points here and there. Probably a little too excited. I was missing long, which is unusual for me. Probably trying to hit a bit hard.

But, like, I wanted to retire six years ago, honest. I tried to retire after basketball. Then it just kept getting bigger and bigger and bigger. When the Paralympics got canceled, I was gutted, because I was like, I'm not going to hang on, I'm out.

Then because of my family and my team and my partner and everyone, they're like, You can get through this. I just put everything into the golden slam. And then I tried to have a couple weeks off. I'm like, I can't have any weeks off because I won't be able to make it to the Australian Open. So I just kept going through -- I'm losing my voice, I'm rinsed.

I'm so glad I did it. It was my home slam. Win, lose, or draw, that's what I wanted to do. Still a celebration. I'm not even crying, which is a good thing I think because it knows that I'm ready. And as I said, you know, seven Australian Opens ain't bad. Eight would have been nice but seven is better than six.

Q. You spoke on court again about, as you put it, how much you hated yourself when you were younger, and yet you come in here now talking about a can-do attitude and here I am ready to do all this stuff, a larger-than-life character. It sounds like you needed a you when you were that kid. What was the turning point to now become this amazing figure?

DYLAN ALCOTT: Look, it was my family and friends and that making me feel worthy for sure. But also starting slowly to see other people with disabilities, like athletes like Louise Sauvage and Danni Di Toro who won the Australian Open, seeing Kurt and that. But also I just started backing myself and being proud of my disability and then people started getting around me.

Then when I had a absolutely shit house haircut, I won a gold medal when I was 17 years old playing wheelchair basketball and then everybody wanted to talk to me, right, because I was young and I was good.

I just realized I have been put here for another reason than to just play sport, purely because I could string two words together and I could get out my message well. I was like, I don't think that's really happened that well before, right? For some reason I was just feeling this momentum where people were buying into my story.

And me being me, I thought let's just take this to the absolute stars. How big can we make this? I'm serious. And I make jokes, but I actually want to win an Oscar one day. I'm serious. I wanted to win a Logie; I won that. I wanted to win these Grand Slams; I did that. I'm serious. You might be like, You're an idiot, but who knows in 10 years? Like why not?

That's what I started doing. I remember watching TV going everyone that comes to wheelchair tennis is so surprised at how good we are. Wow, you're good. I'm like, What did you expect? Two absolute washed-up losers hitting the ball? I don't know. They're genuine surprise at how talented and entertaining it is. I was like a million people watch us on TV, because everyone that comes loves it. Guess what happened today? A million people watched it on TV, packed stadium.

I just don't see why people with disability can't be greater represented everywhere. I make the joke, like, why couldn't the prime minister be in a wheelchair? I'm dead serious. Or have any disability, physical or nonphysical. I'm not saying, Ah, it's going to be me. But why not? They're like, Oh, Parliament's not accessible. So we'll build ramps. Just do it. I'll make you do it. We'll make you do it. Whatever it is.

Jeez, that's going to be all over the media tomorrow: Alcott running for prime minister. I promise I'm not. But I'm serious. That's how I think. I genuinely think like that. Pardon my French, but it's a get-shit-done attitude where I'll want to do something and I do it.

I might fail. I failed today. I didn't win today. Whatever. I'll still have a crack at what I want to do next.

Q. It doesn't look like clear water in that water bottle.

DYLAN ALCOTT: I poured three beers in here, because I could only fit -- it's a liter, and a beer is 330 mls. Young Henrys.

Q. What is on the cards for this evening?

DYLAN ALCOTT: I'm going out to dinner. I've got a surprise dinner. Win, lose, or draw. I was, Yeah, I'll go have a dinner. I don't know where I'm going. Just with my team and a few people.

I think next Thursday we are doing something called Dylan All Froth Day, which I think -- is that a cigarette? Not anymore. Where one of my sponsors, Young Henrys, they make beers, they are doing a dollar of every beer I think goes to the Dylan Alcott Foundation nationwide. Is that right?

How cool is that? They're throwing a party in Melbourne. If you want to find out where that is, Instagram DM me, you might be lucky enough to get invited.

Q. I know you're more proud of what you have done off the court, but in terms of on the court, you have done a lot too. So I guess the golden slam is the obvious one, but what's Dylan's favorite memory?

DYLAN ALCOTT: Performance-wise probably the golden slam, but it's still that representation of people with disability that come watch. I mean that as well. It's just like they are just there watching someone like them but not making a big deal out of it. That's the thing. That's just normal.

Like it actually was genuinely normal today. Thanasi, Nick, Alcott, Barty, I was, like, That sounds normal, which is just ridiculous. People from overseas, coming, like, Wow. It's up to us to change that to all around the world, you know.

Yeah, you know, I'm proud that I played so well at home. I didn't play so well today, but winning at home is the hardest. Most people win most of their Grand Slams not at home, at other tournaments. But I have won most of mine here. What have I won, seven Australian Opens, three US Open, three French, two Wimbledon? Is that right? See, there you go. I genuinely don't know that stuff. It's just not what gets me out of bed.

But that's pretty awesome to be able to do it at home, for sure. Yeah, I'm proud of that, proud of what we have achieved here, just the general vibe. And the mainstreaming of it is probably the thing that I'm most proud about.

Q. What was your emotion looking up in the stands, especially at that Love-5, in the second moment when people gave you a bit of an ovation there?

DYLAN ALCOTT: Yeah, my only regret was probably not enjoying it as much as I could have today. I think that's because I was physically and mentally really cooked. I was trying to save energy.

But I should have went out and just tried for the first hour to win Love and 2, and if I didn't cramp up and lose, to be honest. Does that make sense? I was really trying to be in myself. But that was unbelievable. The crowd was so good, like so loud.

Scarily, I'm used to that now. Can you believe that? From a guy that had five people watching him to that being normal. That's just ridiculous to think. I will never take it for granted, mate.

I'm grateful. For everybody that has gone around my career, I'm forever grateful. The nicest thing people have been saying to me today is, This is just the beginning. I kind of feel that, as well, which is scary. Means there's going to be an absolute juggernaut. I hope I don't turn into a massive wanker, but I don't think I will. I will do my best not to.

Q. Hottest ticket in town right now, and you speak so well on everything, what do you make of the Special Ks? I think you played after them.

DYLAN ALCOTT: I have been embraced because of my personality, not because I won tennis tournaments. Personality is the key. So they are different. Different is good. Can't all be the same.

The vibe out there is epic. All-Aussie final, as well. Mattie and Max and -- is Ash winning? Awesome. That will be epic on Sunday. Ash Barty, she said some kind words about me here. I echo, like she's just "the" best human, first and foremost. Tennis can get stuffed. 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. I'd be training with Thanasi every day, and people saying how much work that kid has done, and he deserves this. We are like just, we are just mates. It's cool. It really is. Yeah, I don't even see them as tennis players, which is pretty whacky. I see them as my friends. So watching them succeed is cool. It really is.

Q. Firstly, I want to say from me thank you for continuing to smash glass ceilings and change the game. You have done a brilliant job. You said you wanted to retire from basketball six years ago. You are now retiring from tennis. Before you win that Oscar, are we going to see you in another sport?

DYLAN ALCOTT: Yeah, maybe the long jump. No, I'm done.

Here you go. This just sums up how it's changed. I hope he doesn't mind this, but Andy Murray just messaged me: I don't know if I have articulated that well, but you're an absolute rock star and inspiration. Thanks for everything you've done.

That kills me. Makes me want to cry. Special. You're part of it. Just part of it (tearing up). Like I don't even care you're in a wheelchair. They don't give a shit.

It's special. It's so nice, you know. It's like that everywhere here. I never thought that would happen. It's cool, really cool. It's better than winning a tennis tournament. This is a legend of the sport, wheelchair tennis. If it's good enough for someone like that, it's good enough for everyone.

Sorry. I didn't mean to cry. Sorry, no more sport. Acting, drinking beers, hanging out with my partner Chantelle, living my life, being Australian of the Year, whatever the hell that is. I don't know. Probably going to every event, the opening of a wound I'll be going to, everywhere. I don't know. Who knows?

Q. If you want an acting career, are we thinking Dylan Alcott as the next James Bond?

DYLAN ALCOTT: That would be cool. Probably gotta get big arms, work on my leg press. I don't know. I want to write a script. I want to write a script. Documentary going on right now, people everywhere.

Who knows? Who knows what's going on? I'm really excited. Look, it sounds stupid to retire when you're still winning. But I'm 31, and that's young enough to do something else. I feel like I have nailed the timing. If I'm 36 and I win 23 Grand Slams and I've got three kids and whatever? I don't know if I have time to do anything else then. Right now I do. My partner Chantelle does. My friends. You know what I mean? I'm young. I'm excited for what's next.

Q. In the actual draw, you talked about there is plenty of people in the wheelchair tour to carry on your mantel. Who would you say are the big front runners in that?

DYLAN ALCOTT: There's already people doing it. Niels and Sam, for sure. I do love Niels. I love the person that -- my doubles partner hates, he's older than me, but it's his turn to win some slams.

Shingo, somehow he's still playing. He's won about 4,000 Grand Slams. And Diede De Groot, the golden slam hit-off, it was so nice. She's a legend and young enough and stuff like that.

You don't need me. I'm washed up. I'm done. Yeah, I will still be around, though, for sure. I will be doing those sweet, sweet corporates at the other Grand Slams. Finally have some more time, which will be nice. Probably win way more than the prize money hopefully. Prize money is no good.

That's actually the next thing, prize money. Up the prize money everywhere. I won the lead-in tournament here and it was like 1,300 bucks. How much is a flight from Europe, three grand? And it's not just Australia. It's all around the world. We don't get $3.5 million for winning. We get less than half the first-round loser that the able-bodied gets at all slams.

That's way better than it was. Used to get a firm handshake and a cold Powerade. So it's better, but we've got to keep building it so it gets better and better.

Q. You're quoted as saying that wheelchair saved your life. You started as a tennis player before going to basketball. What are your hopes now for the sport as you leave it as a player?

DYLAN ALCOTT: Yeah, look, I think it's in the best position it's ever been and it's time for other people to take over, which I'm sure they will do. I'm interested to see what happens. I'll always help, but I just don't want to play anymore. It's just a hard slog and you get diminishing effects in anything you do. I'm sure Brad Pitt gets annoyed at acting sometimes because he's been doing it forever. Like, I just get diminishing returns.

You win the first Wimbledon, it's incredible, the second one amazing, third one, you're like, Oh, I've won Wimbledon, you know? You're like, I don't want to feel that anymore. I still want to treat it what it was, which is some of the best stuff. It's time for other people to experience that. You can't hold it, you can't. I think everyone is ready to take it over.

But it's up to you, mate, it's up to you, it's up to you, it's up to you, it's up to you, to give everyone those voices and getting those stories. It's not up to me anymore. I feel like I've done everything I can, and I'll continue to help. But it's up to everyone else to take the lead and keep making it bigger and bigger.

Q. What do you think the sport needs to do internally to continue...

DYLAN ALCOTT: The example I give is this, I got voted in the World All-Star Five for the best five basketballs in the world when I was 19 years old. A huge honor. I don't really talk about it that much because I don't like talking about that I was good, but I was pretty good at basketball.

I never met LeBron James. LeBron James doesn't know who I am. Today I think I'm in locker 61 and Rafa is in 63. He's like, G'day, Dyl. I'm like, G'day, Rafa. How are you, mate? Yeah, good, bro. Like that's how we talk.

No other sport has that. We have the best Paralympic sport in the world because of the integration with the able-bodied tour. It's unbelievable. And we do a poor job of leveraging that all year. I leveraged that, like I got an opportunity and I made it happen. But people internally sometimes don't do as good a job to understand how good the product is.

Not to say when we go to fight for us more to put us on the main court and not think we're lucky to be here, because we're not lucky to be here, we deserve to be here. That's the difference. People think we're lucky to be here; get stuffed. We deserve to be here. We're selling tickets, sponsors are making money and people are loving it. So start thinking like that and then it will all change. That's what I was lucky enough to do.