Alcott hails Vink after 'greatest contest’ in Tokyo 2020 semi-finals
An emotional Dylan Alcott described his Tokyo 2020 Paralympic men’s quad semi-final victory over 18-year-old Niels Vink as “the best contest I’ve ever been a part of” after returning to the gold medal match with a momentous 6-4 3-6 6-4 victory.
The Australian reigning champion from five years ago at Rio 2016 cornered the net after sealing victory to commiserate and embrace the Dutch debutant, both men breaking down in tears at the climax after one of the great Paralympic tennis matches in history ended in dramatic fashion.
With almost two and a half hours played at Ariake Tennis Park, Vink – who had led 4-3 in the deciding set – held his nerve when Alcott reached match point at 5-4, coming out on top of a marathon exchange that ended with Alcott colliding with a line judge at the backstop in a desperate attempt to keep the point alive.
“That was the hardest match I’ve ever played – and the best match,” said Alcott, who sealed victory at the end of one last lung-busting rally. “It wasn’t the best quality from start to finish, but the best contest I’ve ever been a part of. That match point he saved was like a 50-shot rally. He’s 18. And that’s all I said to him when we hugged, that I’m just so proud of him. He’s 100 per cent going to win a gold medal in singles for sure, I said that to him.
“I was done. After that match point he saved, I had a full-body cramp. I almost killed the lineswoman, I was in agony. And to pull that out was the proudest I’ve been on the tennis court.
“And that’s why I love the Paralympics – it’s my favourite place in the world. To play the best match you’ve ever played in the best place in the world, to me, is why I do what I do. I love it, and l hope everyone loved it as well.”
If this match was set to mark a potential passing of the torch, Alcott’s resolve and sheer doggedness ensured he remains the leading light for the quad division. He will face Vink’s 21-year-old compatriot Sam Schroder in Thursday’s gold medal match, a day after the Dutch duo look to deny Alcott and Aussie partner Heath Davidson a second quad doubles gold medal.
For now, however, Alcott was happy revelling in the drama of his clash with Vink, and the potential impact it might have given the Paralympic platform.
“This almost didn’t happen, the Paralympics,” he said. "To everybody in Japan, Tokyo: thank you. Because while you’re giving moments like that to us, hopefully we’re giving moment like that back to you. It’s a tough time for everyone around the world. Hopefully, even in a very small way, we’re putting smiles on some faces. That’s what we’re here to do.
“The Paralympics changes perceptions, changes cultures, breaks down stigmas all around the world. That’s why I love it – it’s more than sport. What that just did, hopefully, was to get people jobs, get people to go on a date, get people the ability to get education. This is what we’re here to do. It’s beyond sport, and I love it.”
Whether it was the prospect of moving within one win of defending his Paralympic title or the need to fire himself up without a crowd, barring his vocal support staff in the Centre Court Arena, Alcott was fired up from the start.
But Vink was not going to be intimidated, locking eyes on the Australian as he pumped his fist after breaking Alcott in the opening game, only to give up his serve to level the score at 3-3 before Alcott pounced with Vink serving to stay in the first set.
“Neither of us dropped our level, did we,” Alcott said. “It was just quality. I was thinking, ‘He’s going to crack here, he’s a kid’, and bang – he won a game to love.”
That was the story of the second set as Vink once again hit the front early but this time would not be denied. The 18-year-old cites Dominic Thiem as his idol, and the Austrian’s influence in the Dutch teenager’s flowing ground strokes and heavy topspin is plain to see. His all-court attacking style dovetailed brilliantly with Alcott’s chess-like approach to the sport, playing with spin, angle and feather touch that has become his hallmark.
Alcott took first blood in the decider as Vink double-faulted on break point, but the world No. 5 came from 3-2 down to get back ahead on serve at 4-3, the Australian grinding out a hold from deuce before grabbing the crucial break to lead 5-4 and serve for the match.
“That 5-4 game to win it was best game of tennis I’ve been involved in,” Alcott declared. “I’m glad I held onto the changing of the guard for one more match with a little bit left, and onto the next one. I can’t believe it. I’ve worked so hard the last two years, so I’m proud of myself.
“I’m better because of the generation before me, and they didn’t get the recognition they deserved. I’m the lucky one on billboards back home and I appreciate that, but Niels is not only making me better, but I’m making him better. We just want to leave the sport in a better place for the next generation of athletes. And look at the next generation – they’re going to be kicking my arse very soon, if not already!”
Schroder will be next to try and dethrone the king of quads in Tokyo. The No. 2 seed was simply too good for Japanese debutant Koji Sugeno, who will face Vink for bronze on Thursday following Schroder’s 6-2 6-3 win.
“It’s crazy to be in two finals at my first Paralympics,” Schroder said. “Koji played really well today but I’m really happy with the level that I showed and that I was able to take it in the end. But congrats to him. I hope he will play a great bronze match.
“It’s a real privilege just to be here. It’s definitely completely different to any other tournament I’ve been at. The courts are all the same, but the ambience around it, and the medals on offer, you really want to go for it, especially being once every four years. You’re the champion for four years, really. That’s definitely something I want to achieve now.”