Culture

Dylan Alcott Makes History With Golden Slam Win And Chugs A Beer From His Trophy To Celebrate

"I hated my disability, I didn't even want to be here anymore...I found tennis and it changed and saved my life."

by Edwina Storie  13 September 2021
Aussie tennis player Dylan Alcott has made history and reminded us all that the world will go on once we escape lockdown.

Want more Junkee in your life? Sign up to our newsletter, and follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook so you always know where to find us.

Tennis player Dylan Alcott has given us a welcome new reason to use the word ‘unprecedented’ in 2021, having become the first man ever in a calendar year to win all four Grand Slam singles titles and a gold medal within a calendar year.

Alcott defeated Niels Vink in straight sets in New York, 7-5, 6-2 to claim the much-coveted ‘Golden Slam’. Following the win, he also shared some incredibly rousing words, before also sculling a beer from his trophy in a truly glorious fashion.

“I used to hate myself so much, I hated my disability, I didn’t even want to be here any more…I found tennis and it changed and saved my life.  Now I’ve become the only male ever in any form of tennis to win the Golden Slam which is pretty cool.

“Thanks for making a young, fat disabled kid with a really bad haircut, thanks for making his dreams come true because I can’t believe that I just did it.”

He sent a message home to Australians from the New York court, implying that while we were locked down, there was life to look forward to, as New York City has kicked back into gear. And yes, we will take that little ray of encouragement, thank you very much.

Just hours before Alcott’s sweep, Diede De Groot had also won the women’s Golden Slam.

Photo Credit: Elsa/Getty Images