Alfie Hewett 'desperate' to end long wait for Wimbledon wheelchair crown
Alfie Hewett believes he is getting closer to winning his first Wimbledon wheelchair singles title as he gears up to defend his doubles crown alongside Gordon Reid; you can watch over 80 tournaments a year, including the US Open, exclusively live on Sky Sports Tennis
Wednesday 1 May 2024 06:07, UK
Alfie Hewett has won 27 Grand Slam singles and doubles titles combined across his glistening career, but remains in search of his maiden solo Wimbledon triumph. He has plans to change that this summer.
The British wheelchair tennis star has reached the singles final in each of the last two years, most recently coming up second best to Japan's Tokito Oda in 2023 having been beaten by Shingo Kunieda the previous summer.
He has meanwhile clinched five doubles titles alongside Gordon Reid at the All England Club, with his partner having won the inaugural Wimbledon wheelchair singles crown back in 2016.
- Player rants and umpire clashes: Why are tennis stars losing their cool?
- What next for Emma Raducanu after Madrid exit?
- Need help with your serve? Watch Emma Raducanu's MASTERCLASS!
- Stream ATP & WTA Tour tennis and more with NOW
"I love it, it gets to this time every year and everybody reminds me of the one I haven't got," joked Hewett, speaking to Sky Sports. "Maybe I need to ask for some tips off Gordon!
"Of course, it's an accolade I'm desperate for and want to add to my collection. I feel like I've been progressing on grass over the last few years, I don't think it was my natural surface that I played well on when I was younger, but I'm enjoying the experiences we've been given and I'm learning a lot.
Trending
- Papers: Southgate to get knighthood in New Year Honours List
- Arteta defends 'tactical' Odegaard sub as Slot lauds Liverpool character
- Man City latest: 'Club considering Pogba move'
- Ten-player Liverpool fight back to rescue point against Fulham
- Jonas beats Habazin to set up Price clash in 2025
- VOTE: Did Martinez make best save in Premier League history?
- Hits and misses: Arsenal need a No 9 as Liverpool show title fight
- PL Predictions: Man Utd to punish shambolic Man City
- Pep: Now is not the time to leave – but I'm not immune from the sack
- Elanga late show as Forest battle back from behind to beat Villa
"We haven't played a lot of grass tennis, it's only really been from 2016 that the singles event was introduced and we're starting to have more tournaments on grass."
Grass experience has been increasing for the wheelchair competition, with preparations for Wimbledon set to include Eastbourne, the British Open in Roehampton and a potential exhibition at Queen's.
"These are all great examples of how the sport has come so far," added Hewett.
"It also gives us more opportunity on the grass and hopefully we can use that to our advantage and do some good."
Hewett and Reid return as reigning Wimbledon champions following last year's 3-6 6-0 6-3 victory over Japan's Oda and Takuya Miki.
The pair started the year in perfect fashion as they won a fifth successive Australian Open.
"I think I made a joke during the trophy ceremony after the doubles last year about the fact that at the first Wimbledon I played back in 2012 there were about three people watching, and one was my mum and one was my sister," laughed Reid.
"It's come a long way since then!
"As Alfie said, we had an amazing final at Wimbledon on Court One last year with about 10,000 people watching and with an amazing atmosphere.
"The sport is progressing every year at Wimbledon."
What's coming up on Sky Sports Tennis?
In the run-up to the second Grand Slam of 2024 - the French Open at Roland Garros from May 26 - you can watch all of the biggest tennis stars in action live on Sky Sports as they compete across the clay-court season.
- Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome (ATP and WTA Masters 1000) - May 7-19
- Geneva Open (ATP 250) - May 20-26
- Lyon Open (ATP 250) - May 20-26
- Internationaux de Strasbourg (WTA 500 with Emma Raducanu in action) - May 20-26
- Morocco Open (WTA 250) - May 20-26
How to watch play on Sky Sports Tennis
Sky Sports has confirmed a new home for tennis in the UK and Ireland, with Sky Sports Tennis on Sky and NOW, making tennis content available all day, every day for fans.
Sky Sports will broadcast more live tennis than anywhere else, bringing over 4,000 matches from more than 80 tournaments a year on the ATP and WTA Tours, as well as full coverage of the US Open, all exclusively live.
Non-Sky subscribers can stream live matches with a NOW Sports Day and Month Membership, via Sky Sports Tennis, Sky Sports Arena, and Sky Sports Mix channels.
For further access, fans will also be able to follow their favourite players and gain deeper insights from both Tours via Sky Sports News, the Sky Sports app, on SkySports.com and via Sky Sports social channels.
- Andy Murray's injury timeline: Troubles since 2017 and ankle rupture in Miami
- Can anyone keep up with the Kordashians? The Korda family success story
- Get Sky Sports Tennis | Get Sky Sports on WhatsApp
- Download the Sky Sports App I Follow @SkySportsTennis
Ad content | Stream Sky Sports on NOW
Stream Sky Sports live with no contract on a Month or Day membership on NOW. Instant access to live action from the Premier League, EFL, F1, England Cricket, Tennis and so much more.
Get Sky Sports on WhatsApp!
You can now start receiving messages and alerts for the latest breaking sports news, analysis, in-depth features and videos from our dedicated WhatsApp channel!
Watch the WTA and ATP Tours throughout 2024 on Sky Sports Tennis. Stream Sky Sports Tennis and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership. No contract, cancel anytime.
