TENNIS
BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT
IT’S not every day a 23-time grand slam winner ventures into the region.
Traralgon Tennis Association hosted Australian sporting legend, Dylan Alcott for a fun and wholesome meet-and-greet last week, giving locals the chance to mingle with the charismatic retired athlete.
More than 100 people gathered at the Traralgon tennis show courts to hear from the former wheelchair tennis and basketball player, talking about his career on the global stage and those he’s crossed paths with along the way.
It also gave Alcott the opportunity to converse with and encourage those from within the local disability community that were in attendance.
Alcott, who is the only man to achieve the grand slam (winning all four major championships) in quad singles, addressed the crowd and detailed signature moments during his time on the tennis court.
He also talked about meeting Queen Elizabeth after being named Australian of the Year in 2022, and how he got to be in the room with two of the biggest tennis stars in the world during a pivotal moment.
After winning Wimbledon for the first time in 2019, Alcott divulged sitting back in the locker rooms, with trophy in hand, while Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal prepared for their semi-final matchup, which Federer ended up winning and advancing to the final in an epic five sets.
Alcott would later praise the local tennis complex for its accessibility and its rich history from the Traralgon Junior International, where Federer famously won as a 16-year-old before his professional career blossomed.
Alcott also took time to remind the young people listening, specifically those with a disability, that they are valued and must embrace everything they are.
“When I was a young person with disability, I use to hate myself. I was really embarrassed with my disability and bullied about it, and society told me disability was a bad thing, so I believed that, but it’s actually not,” he told the Express afterwards.
“It’s a natural part of life, it’s a beautiful thing. I didn’t have anyone on TV with disability, I didn’t know anyone with disability, so to be able to get out there and meet young people with disability and just tell them to be themselves … and follow whatever passion they want to do, and if there’s one person who doesn’t support them, there are a thousand of other people who will.
“Disability or not, I’d just tell anyone to be proud of who they are. We all want to be different in life with different clothes, hairstyles, cars, whatever, yet when we have a big difference we all think it’s a negative thing and shy away from it.
“Be proud of that. Be proud of your disability if you have one.
“There are so many opportunities out there for you to do things and you know that I’ve got your back to keep fighting so (that) you get those opportunities that you deserve.”
The heartfelt message was also capped by Alcott, highlighting how inclusive of a community Latrobe Valley has – a place he’s visited since his youth.
“I started playing basketball when I was 14, 15 (years old), and we had a basketball tournament in Traralgon every year, wheelchair basketball, so I’ve got fond memories down here,” he said.
Despite all the trophies and medals he’s won (a three-time Paralympic gold medallist), Alcott was ever gracious with his time and offered an experience that will be cherished by many forever.
