Dylan Alcott wins fifth straight Aus Open title

Dylan Alcott has continued his love affair with Melbourne Park, winning a fifth consecutive Australian Open quad wheelchair singles title.

One day after beating David Wagner to the doubles championship, the Australian top seed dealt his American rival another blow with a 6-4 7-6 (7-2) victory in one hour and 41 minutes on Rod Laver Arena on Saturday.

The triumph, his seventh grand slam title, didn’t come easy as Alcott dropped four straight games from 5-2 up in the second set before breaking the No.2 seed to force a tiebreak.

From there the home hero held strong to edge Wagner in the final for the fourth time in his five-year winning streak.

“I want to thank Wags on an incredible match,” the 28-year-old Alcott said.

“I think that was one of the best matches I’ve ever played.”

Wagner, who was beaten by Alcott in the US Open final last year, was in good spirits after the defeat – he even took a cheeky dig at Alcott for failing to match his ace total.

“Another tournament and you were just too strong for me today,” the American added.

“Congratulations and enjoy it.”

Alcott and countryman Heath Davidson defeated Wagner and Briton Andy Lapthorne to win the doubles title on Thursday.

Alcott’s emotional message to people with disabilities

A Paralympic gold medallist in tennis and basketball who has earned major sponsorship deals and launched a budding media career, Alcott has arguably brought greater visibility to people with disabilities in sport than any other Australian.

“I remember I was 14 years old and I was lying in bed, and all I wanted to do was make it in the mainstream in some way,” an emotional Alcott said.

“I wanted to show that people with disability can be elite at what they do. I wanted to show them that they could be normal people, get a job, work, have fun, have a partner, do all the things everyone takes for granted.

“This match was broadcast into every single TV in Australia. That meant a lot to me and it meant a lot to the four and a half million people in Australia with a disability.

“It’s been great for me but I want it to be great for a lot more people than just me.”

with AAP