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Dylan Alcott breaks down in press conference over star's text message

Dylan Alcott, pictured here breaking down in tears after receiving Andy Murray's text message.
Dylan Alcott broke down in tears after receiving Andy Murray's text message. Image: Channel Nine

Dylan Alcott was reduced to tears in his final press conference at the Australian Open after receiving a text message from none other than Andy Murray.

Alcott's farewell party was spoiled on Thursday with the wheelchair tennis legend bowing out of the sport with a defeat in the Australian Open final.

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After a whirlwind 48 hours, the 2022 Australian of the Year was upset by Dutch second seed Sam Schroder in Thursday's quad decider at Rod Laver Arena.

After all the accolades and applause of recent days, Alcott fought hard but could not withstand an irresistible second-set charge from Schroder, losing 7-5 6-0 to end a seven-year run of dominance at Melbourne Park.

In his final press conference as a professional tennis player, Alcott then broke down in tears as he read out a text message he'd just received from Scottish champion Murray.

“This just sums up how it’s changed,” he said as he looked at his phone.

“I hope he doesn’t mind this but Andy Murray just messaged me: ‘I don’t know if I’ve articulated that well but you’re an absolute rock star and inspiration. Thanks for everything that you’ve done.’

“That kills me. Makes me want to cry. Special. Like you’re just apart of it … they don’t even care you’re in a wheelchair.

“They don’t give a s**t. Sorry to swear. It’s special. So nice. It’s like that everywhere. I never thought that would happen, like it’s cool. It’s really cool.

“That’s better than winning a tennis tournament. There’s a legend of the sport getting around wheelchair tennis.

“If it’s good enough for someone like that, it’s good enough for everyone. Sorry I didn’t mean to cry.”

Dylan Alcott, pictured here speaking to the crowd after the quad wheelchair singles final at the Australian Open.
Dylan Alcott speaks to the crowd after the quad wheelchair singles final at the Australian Open. (Photo by Andy Cheung/Getty Images) (Andy Cheung via Getty Images)

Dylan Alcott bows out of tennis in classy fashion

The 31-year-old admitted before Thursday's match that he was "fried" from rushing to Canberra on Tuesday night directly following his semi-final win, soaking in the honour that came his way and preparing for what he said was his "last dance".

"The Australian Open, I love you so much ... thank you for changing my life but also backing someone who is disabled to be the front of your brand," the world No.1 said on court after the match.

"You changed my life, but judging by that award I got a couple of days ago, maybe I helped changed some other lives as well."

Alcott received an unbelievable level of support in the stands, with last year's Australian of the Year Grace Tame watching on.

But what pleased Alcott most was the number of disabled people, a large number of them children, who were able to turn out for the final.

Channel Nine even held back TV news bulletins across the country to stick with Alcott's match until the end.

"I'm really the luckiest guy in the world and I didn't need to win today to realise that," he said.

"It's because you, everyone watching here, that people like me, people with disability are getting the recognition and that we're integrated and involved in society.

"If you look up there in the stands and the number of people with disability that are here.

"That's the reason I get out of bed, it really is.

"To my community, thanks for always backing me, I hope I make you proud in the next 12 months as your Australian of the Year."

with AAP

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