From Heartbreak to Triumph: Alfie Hewett’s Quest for Wimbledon Redemption

Alfie Hewett Vows to Complete Career Grand Slam After Wimbledon Disappointment

In a bid to complete his career Grand Slam, Britain’s Alfie Hewett has vowed to use the disappointment of last year’s Wimbledon wheelchair singles final as motivation.

Hewett, who has won every singles major bar Wimbledon and lost in the 2022 final after serving for the title four times, recently won the Australian Open in January and reached Sunday’s singles final on the Queen’s grass courts.

A Failure is Not a Failure – It’s an Opportunity to Learn

“A failure isn’t a failure – it’s an opportunity to learn,” says Hewett, reflecting on last year’s defeat at SW19.

The 25-year-old will compete in both the singles and doubles at this year’s tournament which begins on July 12th. He had never reached the Wimbledon singles final until last year when he was ultimately edged out by Shingo Kunieda.

Proud Moment Awaits with Successful Return

“It was obviously difficult in that moment – it was one of toughest losses of my career,” said Hewett during an interview. “To be two points away from winning it shows how far I have come and has given me belief that I can do it.”

“Going back this year, there will still be little part of me remembering those feelings and using that as extra oomph to get over the line.”

A Life Lesson Learnt

Hewett, who has Perthes disease which affects his hip and femur, feared his career may have been cut short in 2019 when there were changes to classification rules. Under initial changes by the International Tennis Federation, Hewett’s disease was not severe enough to need a wheelchair, making him ineligible for competition.

The rules were later reviewed to take into account the specific physical demands of wheelchair tennis, meaning he could continue playing. “If anyone gets told they might not have a job in 18 months’ time, you start panicking and worrying about the future,” Hewett said.

“It was scary and brought a lot of anxiety. I’m very thankful for people around me during that time because they helped me keep fighting.”

Winning Wimbledon Would Be Most Proud Grand Slam

Hewett is a 24-time major champion having won seven singles titles and seventeen doubles titles with compatriot Gordon Reid. “It would probably be [my] most proud Grand Slam, not just because it is Wimbledon but it has that tradition and aura about it,” he added.