Australian Open Thursday, 18 February 2021 , Victoria, Dylan Alcott Press Conference

know, normally leads off the day on the D. ALCOTT/S. Schroder Court 7 when no one is there, not prime time.

6-1, 6-0 It's a new experience. One that I was proud to get through. THE MODERATOR: Questions, please. Q. Was there any suggestion or want from you to Q. Firstly, congratulations. Seven-time Australian maybe have the match held over to tomorrow? Open champion. Had to wait a bit for it tonight. Had to change courts. Lost that first game but then DYLAN ALCOTT: 100%, yeah. There was a few ticks rattled off 12 in a row. How did you get it going? flying around and things. The choice wasn't mine, but it was talked about and, you know, my preference was just DYLAN ALCOTT: Look, I was in a bit of a mood when I to play. got out there. You know, my real purpose in life is not winning Grand Slams. It's actually changing the I was probably thinking a bit too much about it in my perception of people with disabilities so they can get out head, and then yesterday I was, like, you know what? there and live the lives they want to live. One thing that Let's just play whenever. When the crowds got inspires me is broadcast and all this kind of stuff. announced this morning, had a chat with my opponent and TA and all that, but because of broadcast, you know, Because it went so late and we got a court change, I was if Rafa pulls out of the first game or it's quick or whatever, a bit flat, you know what I mean? That's one thing that you know, you need tennis to be played. really drives me. I lost that first game and I was, like, Oh, no, I'm in trouble here. Then I actually channeled that I mean, I talked to the other wheelchair tennis players. into the tennis ball. They were, like, Are you following Rafa and Stefanos prime time? That's the sickest thing I ever heard. And I Look, I've been, working with a guy called Ben Crowe, was like, here's me being a bit of, do I want crowds, do I who works with Grigor and Ash Barty and Dusty Martin, if want to follow Rafa? If you ask me that five years ago, you're from Australia, Steph Gilmore, a bunch of people. I'd be, like, Are you serious? Then I realized, I'll play You know, I really went back to the things we have been whenever. Then I realized at 1-Love when I lost the first talking about and I said to my colleagues, my manager, game to Love, I put a smile on my face, and brought an and Ben, friends, Mark and Ben before the match, I intensity in me actually to really want to win. would play on the car park at 3 a.m. as long as I got an opportunity to play the , you know? It was obviously different and stuff, but I'm glad I got the job done. Then I realized at 1-Love, I was like, stop being a sook. Let's play tennis. Not everyone is getting to their jobs at Q. You said many times you don't play to win titles. the moment, and I do. I had an opportunity to win a It's about a much bigger purpose. You are obviously . very competitive. The fact you got US Open, does it drive you at all? Do you find new ways, in that sort I tell you what would have been worse than waiting all of sense? day: Waiting all day and losing. I was glad I could pull myself out of there. I actually played awesome in the DYLAN ALCOTT: Yeah, I didn't even think about it. I tell end. I didn't expect to play that well. And I think Sam you when I thought about it, is the court announcer, played well as well, I just had a bit of a day out there. amazing, the voice of the G, help me out here. James. Legend. Amazing. He goes, He beat Dylan Alcott, and It's strange when you're waiting all day. I was pretty sure Dylan is going to try and avenge his loss. I was like, Am Rafa was going to win that tiebreak. He lost one point on I? I didn't even think of that. serve the whole third set. I was ready. To then wait and then wait again. It was different for us because, you I actually don't get competitive with people. I get

104740-1-1063 2021-02-17 15:12:00 GMT Page 1 of 4 competitive with the moment, if that makes sense. So I want to win the moment to give me the platform to do I think you can see I'm a bit of a relaxed different guy what I'm passionate about. That's what drives me. who played really well tonight. Proud of myself for that. Because maybe a year ago I would have been pissed off I really don't dislike anyone I play. I don't have that -- I and played not as well of the moment. know some people make it personal and then you can get pumped. I just don't have that in me. But I want to But today I was in the moment, and that's all you can win for that reason, to give me opportunity to do things ask. I'm passionate about and stuff like that. Q. Obviously this has been a Grand Slam like no You know, what's the difference between 1 a.m. on other. Has it required extra levels of resilience? Margaret Court or 11 a.m. tomorrow on Rod Laver? Not much. Seven Australian Opens is still seven Australian DYLAN ALCOTT: Yeah, for sure. For all of us. I think Opens. it's not more resilience than someone who has lost their job, though. Someone who is in lockdown right now. So, glad I could get my head together and get the job done. I spoke to my man in London who's been in lockdown since December 1, and we've had five days of lockdown Q. How does your year look? Does that prospect of here in Australia, and it's been a bit gnarly. December 1, winning the calendar Grand Slam motivate you at the and I was like, Wow. So it's all about perspective for me. moment? Is that your main goal? A tennis tournament is just a tennis tournament. Having DYLAN ALCOTT: I think what really, if you take money an accreditation at the moment, it's kind of like a police out of sport, what's the biggest prize in sport? To me, it's pass where you can do whatever you want -- not the Paralympic and Olympic Games, always has been for whatever you want but get around where no one else a paralympic athlete because we weren't always at the can. I was like, I feel really lucky to be a part of that. Do Grand Slams, obviously don't get paid the $4 million or you know what I mean? I felt grateful. whatever it is to win and stuff like that. So I tried to channel that into my whole week. You know So I think when Tokyo got postponed last year I was what I mean? I really did. I think that's why I played so gutted, proper, and I acted cool and I wasn't cool. And well and was able to get it done. then I started talking about how flat I was and I felt better. You know, I get FOMO. So I think I had FOMO at 9 p.m. So we will see what happens with that. I think they are when I was like, Maybe tomorrow could have had going to make a decision in the next few weeks about crowds, would have been awesome. And then I got that that. Obviously hopefully , Wimbledon. I FOMO out of my head and was able to concentrate on would love to be able to do French Open, Wimbledon. what I was doing. Be able to come home and hopefully not quarantine or quarantine and be able to train or something, and then You know, I'm not more resilient than someone that's go to Tokyo and then recess. been sick this year, lost their job, whatever it is, lining up at Centrelink. That takes more resilience than playing But I used to have expectations on myself to win, and tennis at 12:30 a.m. for an opportunity. that is the reason why I lost the US Open when I was going for the calendar Grand Slam. I choked and had a Yeah, I'm proud of myself but then proud of the way that I shocker. Now I have expectation on myself to be Dylan, -- the perspective I had. to be myself, to be talkative, to have fun, and to enjoy the moment. Win, lose, draw. Then the results seem to Q. Congratulations. You spoke briefly about the happen. Paralympics there. Can you elaborate how important it is as games, what it means to you, and how great it That's all I can ask of myself. I really wanted to win the would be if it does go ahead? calendar Grand Slam to then get platform to maybe have a chance of Australian of the Year, to have all these DYLAN ALCOTT: Yeah, well, I call the Olympic Games things to be able to help people with disabilities. That put the crappy warmups for the Paralympic Games, right? way too much pressure on myself. Once every four years people with disability are the stars. People say, Why not have the Paralympics and So now, who cares about all that stuff? Who cares about Olympics combined? I'm like, When Usain Bolt was the calendar Grand Slam? You can still live out your running, I fully appreciate everyone will watch him and purpose, win, lose, draw of a Grand Slam. You can still not me. But guess what? When I'm on, we're the stars, be you. So that's what I think about now. right? I used to say that.

104740-1-1063 2021-02-17 15:12:00 GMT Page 2 of 4 room and you told me, or you said that you were Now what we've done here at the Australian Open, I feel drinking slightly less because of the Paralympics. like I'm on par with Stefanos and Rafa and Serena. Like, Have you decided to do that again, or is it global the way that I'm treated, I feel like a tennis player, not a plague, stuff it? wheelchair tennis player. So maybe there is but, you know, that's why I love the Paralympics. It's like for two DYLAN ALCOTT: I haven't had a beer since Christmas weeks it's the big show. Day. I've actually been pretty good. Yeah, I've actually, like, been training hard. I'm going to spank down some Outside of maybe tennis, you know, when I play Young Henrys beers though because they're my favorite, basketball, I won a gold medal. I never met LeBron and I would be lying to say if I didn't have two before this James or played with him. Now I play tennis, Rafa press conference. I think I have been going pretty well. Nadal's locker is next to me. He's like, G'day, Dyl. G'day Rafa. Like, it's just -- you know what I mean? I think I had two and then I had the third and I thought, I haven't eaten. Feeling a bit pissed. I then toned it back. I feel like tennis is the lucky Paralympic sport to have that, but for everything else the Paralympics is like the But I'll keep it together till the Paralympics for you so I'm Holy Grail. Do you know what I mean? I really hope we not a fat mess out there. get the opportunity to play. Q. With your game, with all the potholes, what are And I would love to play Wimbledon again. I've only some of the keys to your success? Like is it your played it once. Played really well. I think I look good in decision-making, your variety, or is it a combination white. Hopefully we get another opportunity to play of all these things? What's the key to some of the there, as well. keys to Dylan's domination?

Q. You mentioned on court you're not sure how long DYLAN ALCOTT: I think today was a good signal in that you got to go. Knowing what the Paralympics mean my mental game is really strong. I didn't play as well in to you, is there a chance we don't see you back here the semifinal against Niels because I was being really next year? loud and proactive and positive and talkative and almost commentate my own match. DYLAN ALCOTT: For sure potentially. You know, I'm always honest, to be honest. I was just saying get I felt like, pardon my French, a bit of a dick head when no yourself to the 2020 Paralympics, right, mentally. That one was there, because I was so loud, right? When the got postponed. That's why I struggled and played so crowd is there, it kind of numbs it. poorly at the US Open because that's when the Paralympics should have been. I was like, this sucks, I felt a bit awkward. Then I was 4-2 down in the semifinal right? I just want to get to the Paralympics Games. and I thought if some guy or girl writes on Twitter, This guy is an idiot, look at him talking, who cares? Because I think no crowds, bit of a weird day. I was like, I think I that guy doesn't know me, right? They don't know me have to do one more AO. You know what I mean? But I personally. might hit that last ball at the Paralympics Games and be like, I'm done. It's cliché but you know when you know. I They might think I'm being arrogant or not but I'm not. know I'm getting close. I'm just being me. That is a way for me to play well.

It's not because I've lost the passion to play tennis but, So I think me, I think being really assured of who you are you know, I do TV, radio, I've got my foundation, couple is an important trait that when push comes to shove, if of companies, Able Foods and Get Skilled Access. I do you know who you are, and I think I also shy away from so many things, right? It adds up and there's only so how bloody hard I work. You might know me as the radio long you can spin all the plates for. guy goes to festivals and me, this happy guy, but I also bust my ass five hours a day every single day when no I want to do some acting, I want to write a script. I want one is watching. to do all kinds of stuff. And it's hard to do it all at once. When push comes to shove, that rises to the top. One of At the moment I've still got the passion to play tennis. my favorite quotes is "You don't rise to the occasion. We'll see what happens. You know, one John Farnham You actually sink back to your habits." style, "this is my last day-o," might be cool. So we'll see what happens. And then come back and back. No, I'm No one rises to the occasion. Everyone goes back to just kidding. what they know? If what you know is better than the opposition, well, then you win. Q. Magnificent 7. This time last year we sat in that

104740-1-1063 2021-02-17 15:12:00 GMT Page 3 of 4 I think my mental game and how hard I work is probably the two things that I trust the most, and it leaves me in good stead.

Yeah, it lets you down sometimes, but I have had a pretty good career so far. I'm proud of what's going on. Good question. I like that one. Got a nice backhand too. There you go.

Q. Congrats on No. 7. How much does having the likes of Niels and Sam in the game now, how much does having the young guns like that make you work harder for what you want to see for the future?

DYLAN ALCOTT: For sure. I have been working for years all draw sizes, quads, men's, women's should increase. Back in the day there was only eight, eight, or four people who could win it. But now there is way more, you know what I mean?

I think we saw that, Channel 9, Wild World of Sport out here, they were like calling Niels the heir apparent. It's so true. He almost beat me the other day, and he's 18 years old.

I think the sport is in such an incredible place where there is so many great players all around the world who have opportunity to win Grand Slams. More people, they shouldn't just know my name. They need to know more names, like Niels, like Sam, like Gordon, like anybody in any division. They need to know more people.

And I think that is amazing because they are coming through and it's not about -- I want the success and the publicity and the tickets that are sold to permeate to the next generation of young wheelchair athletes and tennis players to come. I feel confident that's going to happen now, which is awesome.

That's my goal. You know what I mean? It's not about me. Don't think about me really. I think about that a lot more. And I think it's, you know, left in good stead for the future.

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