Alfie Hewett has described winning the Wimbledon wheelchair singles and doubles titles as “the best day” of his life. British player Hewett secured his first Wimbledon singles victory and completed a career Grand Slam by dominating Spain’s Martin de la Puente with a 6-2 6-3 win on Court One. Hewett then joined with his fellow Briton Gordon Reid to defend their doubles title and win 6-4 7-6 (7-2) against Japan’s Takuya Miki and Tokito Oda. “Today’s the stuff of dreams really,” said Hewett, adding that it had been the “best day of my life”.
The 26-year-old, who comes from Norwich, also broke several records. Hewett became the second male player after Japanese player Shingo Kunieda to win both the singles and doubles title at every Grand Slam. He is also the first man since Reid in 2016 to win the Wimbledon singles and doubles in the same year. Hewett now has 30 Grand Slam titles, comprising nine in singles and 21 in doubles. Only Kunieda has won more majors in the men’s game, with 50.
Hewett had lost in the past two Wimbledon singles finals but had served for the title four times two years ago before losing to Kunieda. Last year, he led 4-1 in the first set against Oda but then lost 11 of the next 13 games. This time, however, after exchanging five breaks with de la Puente in the second set, Hewett won the title with a backhand return.
Hewett paid tribute to his grandfather, dedicating his victory to him. He said his grandfather had been part of his journey when he was younger, but had not been able to watch him play for three years due to being terminally ill. Hewett’s grandfather watched him play at Wimbledon and the player said he was glad he had been able to bring him some happiness.
Hewett and Reid have won five of the past seven Wimbledon doubles titles together
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