Australian wheelchair tennis star Dylan Alcott has won Paralympic gold in the quad tennis singles in Tokyo after a thrilling battle with Sam Schroder. The 30-year-old, who has won 22 grand slams in quad singles and doubles, overcame Dutchman Sam Schroder 7-6 (7/2), 6-1 to successfully defend his title from the 2016 Rio Games.
The singles win was sweet revenge for Alcott after he and Heath Davidson surrendered their Paralympic doubles crown to Schroder and Niels Vink.
Alcott has reached the pinnacle of both sports he has competed in – wheelchair basketball and wheelchair tennis. He started with wheelchair tennis as his main pursuit and was ranked 100th in the world as a 16-year-old before switching to wheelchair basketball for the 2008 Beijing Paralympics.
As a 17-year-old, Alcott won a gold medal in the men’s wheelchair basketball with the Australian team at Beijing 2008 and then followed it up with a silver medal in the same event at London 2012. After switching back to tennis in 2014, Alcott claimed his first grand slam quad singles title at the Australian Open in 2015 – the first of seven consecutive triumphs at Melbourne Park.
This month Alcott is competing in the US Open and vying for a golden slam (all four grand slam titles with an Olympics or Paralympics gold medal in a single calendar year). [He did it! Congratulations Dylan! –Ed]
New wicketkeeper for T20 World Cup
Uncapped wicketkeeper Josh Inglis is the new face in the Australian team for the upcoming T20 World Cup in the UAE. Inglis has been named in a 15-man squad, which also includes a number of high-profile players. “Josh has been on our radar for some time with his performances in white-ball cricket and more recently in the Vitality Blast, where he topped the run charts”, said chair of selectors, George Bailey.
Steve Smith has been named in the squad, despite an ongoing elbow issue. Bailey says he’s “really confident” Smith will be fit, pointing out that the New South Welshman is now facing 100 balls in a net session without any discomfort.
The squad is Aaron Finch (capt), David Warner, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, Matthew Wade, Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Kane Richardson, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Josh Inglis. Travelling reserves: Dan Christian, Nathan Ellis, Daniel Sams.
Rabbitohs a chance to go all the way
Rugby league reporter John Lanzky writes: “Well the season is over and it’s time for the finals. Will Souths go all the way? I don’t know. Latrell won’t be there, but I believe there’s still a chance. We have some great players, and they will give this a good shake. I feel sorry for Latrell – the hatred and racism that he and his family have had to endure from some Roosters fans is disgusting. All I can say is good luck. I know the Rabbitohs will do their best. Glory, glory …!”
