Sometimes the pain of heartache means that success, when it comes, feels that much sweeter. Three years ago, Alfie Hewett thought he may never be allowed to play grand slam tennis again, a rule change to wheelchair events threatening to end his career there and then. That was overturned but in the past two years he has left Wimbledon almost in tears after missing out on the title he wants the most.
No more. On Sunday, on No 1 Court, Hewett defeated Martín de la Puente of Spain 6-2, 6-3 to win his first Wimbledon singles title and complete the career grand slam of all four majors. An early break, in the third game, set him on his way and he never looked back.
As Hewett threw his racket in the air and put his hands over his face, the joy and relief poured out, his dreams fulfilled.
“I mean, I’m speechless, to be honest,” Hewett said. “These last few years have been difficult, losing twice. I don’t want to look over here [towards his team and family] because I’ll probably start crying.
“I want to thank my team, they’re like a second family over there, we’ve gone through a lot together, a lot of highs and some lows. But no matter how many times you get knocked down you can still get back up and keep trying, and that’s all down to you guys.
“Narrowly missing out has been tough before and last night I was a ball of nerves. Winning the doubles with Gordon Reid is good memories, but to leave on a singles final loss has been heartbreaking the last couple of years.”
Hewett’s win on Sunday means he joins Shingo Kunieda in securing both the singles and doubles titles at all four grand slam tournaments and he now has nine singles majors to his name. Just for good measure, a couple of hours after his singles win, he and Gordon Reid defeated Tokito Oda and Takuya Miki 6-4, 7-6 (2) to win their sixth Wimbledon wheelchair doubles title together.
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Hewett has now won 30 grand slam titles in all, second only in the men’s game to Kunieda, who has 50.
