Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Wimbledon 2023: Alfie Hewett will use disappointment of last year's loss to motivate him at SW19

Written by 
Published in Tennis
Monday, 26 June 2023 05:03

Britain's Alfie Hewett says he will use the disappointment of last year's Wimbledon wheelchair singles final to motivate him in his bid to complete a career Grand Slam.

Hewett has won every singles major bar Wimbledon and lost in the 2022 final after serving for the title four times.

He won the Australian Open in January and reached Sunday's singles final on the Queen's grass courts.

"A failure isn't a failure - it's an opportunity to learn," he said.

Hewett will compete in both the singles and doubles at Wimbledon with the wheelchair competition beginning on 12 July.

He had never reached the Wimbledon singles final until last year when he was ultimately edged out 4-6 7-5 7-6 (10-5) by the now retired Shingo Kunieda.

"It was obviously difficult in the moment - it was one of the toughest losses of my career," the 25-year-old told BBC Sport.

"To be two points away from winning it shows how far I have come and has given me the belief that I can do it.

"Going back this year, there will still be a little part of me remembering those feelings and using that as extra oomph to get over the line."

Hewett is a 24-time major champion, having won seven singles titles and 17 doubles titles with compatriot Gordon Reid.

Hewett, who has Perthes disease which affects his hip and femur, feared his career may have been cut short in 2019 when there were changes to classification rules.

Under initial changes by the International Tennis Federation, Hewett's disease was not judged severe enough to need to use a wheelchair, which would have made him ineligible to compete.

However, the rules were later reviewed to take into account the specific physical demands of wheelchair tennis, meaning he was free to continue playing.

"If anyone gets told they might not have a job in 18 months' time, you start panicking and worrying about the future," Hewett said.

"I wasn't sure whether I could still do what I had been doing for the last 10 years. It is not something I'd wish upon anyone.

"It was scary and brought a lot of anxiety. I'm very thankful for the people that were around me during that time because they helped me keep fighting.

"In the end, I got the outcome I wished for. From a mentality point of view, it was probably the biggest life lesson I have ever been given."

Hewett said it would mean a lot to win Wimbledon, where he has received vocal support from the home crowd over the years.

"It is something that I have dreamt of since playing on the grass in 2015 at Wimbledon," he added.

"It would probably be [my] most proud Grand Slam, not just because it is Wimbledon but it has that tradition and aura about it.

"It is an incredible event and that obviously holds a lot of meaning behind it".

Read 225 times

Soccer

Leeds boss to celebrate promotion like 'fire beast'

Leeds boss to celebrate promotion like 'fire beast'

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLeeds United head coach Daniel Farke said he planned to rip up his...

UEFA give Man City $6m for most international calls

UEFA give Man City $6m for most international calls

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsPremier League side Manchester City were allocated around 5.17 mill...

Source: Man Utd eye Wolves, Brazil star Cunha

Source: Man Utd eye Wolves, Brazil star Cunha

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsManchester United are exploring the possibility of triggering the r...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Finally healthy, Kawhi's throwback effort ties series

Finally healthy, Kawhi's throwback effort ties series

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsDENVER -- Last year at this time, Kawhi Leonard was hobbled. It was...

Thibs: Brunson not getting calls like Cunningham

Thibs: Brunson not getting calls like Cunningham

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- The New York Knicks left the court for halftime down by...

Baseball

Lindor swats slow-start stigma, fuels Mets' win

Lindor swats slow-start stigma, fuels Mets' win

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Francisco Lindor is off to a smashing start, for a chan...

Cubs add relief option, acquire Pomeranz from M's

Cubs add relief option, acquire Pomeranz from M's

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs acquired Drew Pomeranz from the Seattle...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated