Just hours after qualifying for the Australian Open final, Dylan Alcott was crowned 2022 Australian of the Year.
The 31-year-old received the honour at a ceremony in Canberra, having defeated Andy Lapthorne in the quad wheelchair semi final earlier on Tuesday.
Following that match, Alcott had suggested Brooklyn Nets and Boomers star, and ACT AotY nominee, Patty Mills would claim the award.
As it turned out, Alcott, who is hoping to add an eighth Australian Open and 18th Grand Slam title to his name this week at Melbourne Park, took home the honour.
In addition to his achievements as an athlete, which also include a Paralympic gold medal in wheelchair basketball and three more in tennis, Alcott has been an advocate for people with disabilites, calling for more representation in the main stream.
Through the Dylan Alcott Foundation, he provides scholarships and funding to Aussies with disabilites, while he was the driving force behind AbilityFest - a fully accessible and inclusive music festival.
Wow. I’m forever grateful. My purpose today and everyday is to change perceptions so people with disability can live the lives they deserve to live. I’ll do my best to make you all proud as your Australian of the Year xx pic.twitter.com/KWmMPvpSsh
— Dylan Alcott (@DylanAlcott) January 25, 2022
In the 62 years of the award, Dylan Alcott is the first person with a disability to be named Australian of the Year.
Alcott will now return to Melbourne to prepare Thursday's Australian Open final clash with Dutchman Sam Schroder.
