Wheelchair tennis pair Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid celebrate historic ‘Golden Slam’ at Paralympics
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Gordon Reid (left) and Alfie Hewett celebrate after winning gold in the tennis wheelchair doubles at the Paris Paralympics.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
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PARIS – Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid are names that are little known to tennis fans compared to Novak Djokovic, but on Sept 6 the duo put themselves on a par with the Serb’s biggest achievement in the sport.
Hewett finally got his hands on a Paralympic gold medal in Paris and made history to boot, as he and Reid became the first men’s wheelchair doubles partnership to complete the career “Golden Slam”.
In August, Djokovic became just the fifth player to achieve the feat in singles – all four Grand Slams and the Olympic title – after Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf.
British duo Hewett and Reid had lost twice in the Paralympic final before – at Tokyo 2020 three years ago and Rio 2016 – but this time they made no mistake.
In front of a packed Philippe-Chatrier court at Roland Garros, the site of the French Open, they thrashed Japanese pair Takuya Miki and Tokito Oda 6-2, 6-1.
The Britons have won an astonishing 21 Grand Slams, but the one they wanted was the Paralympic title – and they have now realised their dream by winning the four Slams and the Paralympic gold.
Following their win, the duo engaged in a long and emotional hug on the red clay, with Hewett saying “it was the stuff of dreams” and Reid adding that “it was up there with our best wins”.
For Hewett, it is especially sweet not just in securing the elusive Paralympic title – he lost in both singles and doubles finals in Rio and in the doubles in Tokyo – but because he was told at one point he would no longer be qualified to play.
He suffers from Perthes disease that limits hip movement, and it was judged to be not severe enough following a category change.
However, a few months after the Tokyo defeat he was cleared to carry on after a series of tests, admitting that he burst into tears and celebrated with a glass of champagne.
Scotsman Reid, who had beaten Hewett to win 2016 Paralympic singles gold, said that to feel the joy of winning after the “heartbreak” of the past two Games was special.
“It feels amazing, I think the emotions and the adrenaline are still high from the match,” said the 32-year-old.
“It’s something that we’ve been desperate for for a long time now and we’ve come so close twice and felt that heartbreak, felt that pain.”
Reid, who at the age of 12 contracted a rare neurological condition called transverse myelitis which left him paralysed from the waist down, said the tough losses made the gold extra special.
“Sometimes you have to feel that pain to really enjoy the highs when they come and it’s important for us not to let this moment pass us by to really savour it,” he added.
“I think it’s safe to say we did that out in the court and in the ceremony.”
Hewett admitted that the defeats in Rio and Tokyo had left their mark as to whether they could seal the deal in Paris.
“There’s always that little doubt in the back of your mind that reminds you of those two losses in Paralympics,” said the 26-year-old Englishman.
“Is this going to be a thing that sticks with you for another game or can you break the cycle?
“We certainly squashed that (question) this week. Thankfully this time, we’re not crying on each other’s shoulders.
“We’ve been working hard for such a long time for this moment, tonight’s all about us (celebrating).” AFP, REUTERS
