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The 30-year-old Melbourne man will look to go out on a high
after having completed the "Golden Slam" in 2021, winning all
four of the quad singles titles at the Grand Slams and a second
successive Paralympics gold at Tokyo.
"This is my home and the Australian Open changed my life, tennis
changed my life," Alcott told reporters at Melbourne Park.
"Without tennis I wouldn’t be here sitting and talking with you
today, potentially sitting here at all.
"I owe it everything, and what better way to finish in my home
city in front of crowds, big, big crowds after the year that we
had, the last couple of years. It’s going to be incredible."
The 15-times Grand Slam champion, a prominent media personality
in Australia, said he was "spinning too many plates" and wanted
the next generation to have a chance to shine.
"I feel redundant, I feel old, I feel a bit washed up," he said.
"It’s their turn to dominate and get the recognition they
deserve, so really looking forward to getting out there and
doing my thing one more time, and hopefully making it 16 (Grand
Slams)."
Alcott, who chugged a beer out of his U.S. Open trophy to the
delight of fans at Flushing Meadows in September, sprayed
champagne on a Melbourne Park court after announcing his
retirement and took a big swig from the bottle.
"Being a good tennis player is probably the 32nd priority in my
life," said Alcott, an outspoken advocate for disabled people's
rights.
"Being a good person is number one .. And being a good advocate
for my community to change perceptions for people like me so
they can live the lives they deserve to live and get the
opportunities I’ve had."
(Reporting by Ian Ransom in Melbourne; Editing by Peter
Rutherford)
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