“This just sums up how it’s changed.”
With those words Dylan Alcott began to reveal a beautiful text received from Andy Murray during his final press conference as a professional tennis player.
Alcott’s press conference after his Australian Open quad wheelchair final defeat was hijacked in the most splendid of ways when his phone buzzed during the back end of the chat with reporters.
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“I hope he doesn’t mind this but Andy Murray just messaged me,” Alcott said, looking at his phone.
“‘I don’t know if I’ve articulated that well but you’re an absolute rockstar and an inspiration. Thanks for everything that you’ve done’.”
That was the message sent by Murray, a three-time grand slam singles champion and winner of 46 ATP singles titles, after Alcott rounded out his legendary career with a shock defeat to Dutchman Sam Schroder at Rod Laver Arena.
“That kills me, that makes me cry, it’s special, you’re part of it, you’re just part of it … It’s so nice.
“It’s like that everywhere, man. I never thought that would happen. It’s cool, it’s really cool.
“That’s better than winning a tennis tournament.
“This is a legend of the sport getting around wheelchair tennis. If it’s good enough for someone like that it’s good enough for everyone.”
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