Australian tennis champion Dylan Alcott was sublime in his semi-final quad wheelchair singles victory over Dutchman Niels Vink at the Tokyo Paralympics.
But the three-time Paralympic gold medallist may have been even more impressive in his embrace with his rival after the match, in which he kept his aspirations of achieving a golden slam alive.
After defeating his 18-year-old opponent 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, Alcott wheeled around to his rival’s side of the net and the pair of exhausted players embraced in an emotional moment.
As the pair hugged for several seconds, 30-year-old Alcott patted Vink on his head and back, his rival soaking up an incredible moment with a man he idolised.
“He’s half my age, what a little legend he is, Niels,” Alcott said.
“I know he read my book growing up, I sent him a birthday video for his 18th (birthday), we’re mates.
“When I hugged him at the end he was in tears. He wouldn’t let go and I just said I was so proud of him, how well he played.
“I’m just so proud of him.”
Alcott will square off with Dutchman Sam Schroder in the gold-medal match tomorrow.
He said he was zeroing in on the decider on the back of a memorable semi-final.
“That was the best match I have ever been a part of,” Alcott said.
“It was special.”
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