Dylan Alcott

Dylan Alcott is an Australian professional wheelchair basketball and wheelchair tennis player, born on December 4, 1990, in Melbourne, Australia. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in both sports. Alcott began his professional career playing wheelchair basketball and later switched to wheelchair tennis. He has won numerous titles in both sports, including multiple Grand Slam titles in wheelchair tennis.

Alcott is known for his incredible speed, strength, and versatility. He has won numerous individual awards and holds multiple records. In addition to his sports career, Alcott is also recognized for his philanthropy and influence, making significant charitable contributions and inspiring millions worldwide.

Wheelchair Basketball

• Youth and Early Career: Alcott was born and raised in Melbourne and started playing wheelchair basketball at a young age. He made his debut for the Australian national team, the Rollers, in 2006 and won a gold medal at the 2008 Paralympics.

Wheelchair Tennis

• Switch to Tennis: In 2014, Alcott switched to wheelchair tennis and quickly rose to prominence. He won his first Grand Slam title at the 2015 Australian Open.
• Continued Success: Alcott continued to dominate in wheelchair tennis, winning multiple Grand Slam titles and two Paralympic gold medals.

Australian National Team

• Debut: Made his debut for the Australian national wheelchair basketball team in 2006.
• Achievements:
• Paralympic Games: Gold medalist in 2008 (wheelchair basketball) and 2016, 2020 (wheelchair tennis).
• World Championships: Gold medalist in 2010 (wheelchair basketball).
• Grand Slam Titles: Winner of 11 Grand Slam singles titles and 7 Grand Slam doubles titles in wheelchair tennis.

• Position: Plays as a forward in wheelchair basketball and competes in both singles and doubles in wheelchair tennis.
• Skills: Known for his agility, strength, and impressive shot-making abilities in both sports.

• Family: Alcott was born with a tumour wrapped around his spinal cord which was operated on during his first few weeks of life. The tumour was successfully cut out, however it left Alcott a paraplegic, leaving him a wheelchair user for life.
• Philanthropy: Alcott is involved in various charitable activities and has his own foundation, the Dylan Alcott Foundation, which supports young people with disabilities.

• Dylan Alcott is celebrated not only for his extraordinary talent and numerous records but also for his work ethic, determination, and impact on wheelchair sports. His influence extends beyond the sport, inspiring millions of fans around the world and advocating for disability rights.

Most Grand Slam Titles in Wheelchair Tennis:

• 11 singles titles and 7 doubles titles

Paralympic Gold Medals:

• 3 gold medals (1 in wheelchair basketball and 2 in wheelchair tennis)

Newcombe Medal:

• Winner in 2016, 2018, and 2019

Books

• Alcott, D. (2020) Able: Gold Medals, Grand Slams and Smashing Glass Ceilings. Sydney: ABC Books.

Websites

• Australian Paralympic Committee: Information about Dylan Alcott’s Paralympic career and achievements. Available at: https://www.paralympic.org.au
• International Tennis Federation: Details about Alcott’s career in wheelchair tennis. Available at: https://www.itftennis.com
• World Wheelchair Basketball Championship: Official site with updates on Alcott’s performance and records in wheelchair basketball. Available at: https://iwbf.org

Articles

• ABC News: Dylan Alcott’s career highlights and records. Available at: https://www.abc.net.au/news/dylan-alcott/10851722
• The Guardian: Dylan Alcott’s impact on disability rights and representation. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/dylan-alcott

Interviews and Documentaries

• The Set (2018): Hosted by Dylan Alcott. This music and talk show features interviews with various artists and celebrities.
• ABC Interviews: Various interviews and features on Dylan Alcott, covering different aspects of his career. Available at: https://www.abc.net.au