Dylan Alcott commentates on tennis tournament

Australia’s three-time wheelchair tennis Paralympic champion Dylan Alcott left the racket aside for a moment and replaced it with a microphone as he commentated the 2017 Brisbane International, in Brisbane, Australia, from 1-8 January, for Seven Network.

The 26-year-old will continue working for the aforementioned television network during this year, as well as joining ‘Triple J’ radio station’s news team.

“I have always wanted to work in the media and also to change the perception of people with a disability in the mainstream,” said Alcott, who won two Paralympic gold medals in the men’s quad singles and doubles at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

“Imagine listening to Triple J and talking to Kanye West and you are not talking about being in a wheelchair but you are. I think that is pretty powerful.”

In 2016, Alcott became the first wheelchair athlete to win the Newcombe Medal, the highest honour in Australian tennis.

From 11-15 January, Alcott will participate in the Apia International in Sydney, Australia. He will then head to Melbourne to take part in the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the year, between 25-28 January, where he will also combine commentary with competitive tennis.

“I start playing tennis the second week (of the Australian Open), so I will train and commentate the first week and obviously just knuckle down and play after that,” he said.

Read the full interview on Brisbane International’s website.