Britain’s number one male wheelchair tennis player, Alfie Hewett OBE, is still buzzing from a career high – his doubles gold medal-winning performance in the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. In his 12 years as a professional player, Hewett has accumulated almost 150 International Tennis Federation titles. He’s currently the world’s top-ranked doubles player and world number two singles player.
Hewett’s enthusiasm for the sport is not limited to the competition circuit, however. He also enjoys spending time educating enthusiasts, both able-bodied and disabled, about the challenges and rewards of wheelchair tennis. We caught up with Alfie at the conclusion of one such event to learn more about his Paris 2024 experiences, his plans for future tournaments, and the benefits of his recent appointment as a Lexus ambassador.
The following is an edited transcript of Alfie Hewett’s post-event interview.
Today you’ve been coaching competition winners in a wheelchair tennis masterclass. How important is it to showcase your sport to able-bodied people?
Alfie Hewett: “I think it’s important for able-bodied people to have the opportunity to understand what it’s like to play sport in a wheelchair. For most it’s a complete unknown, so it offers them the chance to live in somebody else’s shoes for a while.
“Speaking to the competition winners today, many of them are regular players, but when they got in a chair the game felt alien to them. It was like they had to re-learn how to play, how to move around the court, and how to achieve certain shots from a seated position. So I think classes like this give people an insight into disability sports and gives them the confidence to ask questions. They’ll probably tell people about their experience and hopefully express a newfound appreciation for what it takes to compete in a wheelchair. I hope that in the season ahead both they and their friends will support wheelchair tennis a bit more.”
What advice would you give to people who would like to get more involved?
A: “The biggest thing I’ve learned is to simply take that leap into the unknown. I’d never played tennis before playing wheelchair tennis, and it was my mum who pushed me into disability sport. If it wasn’t for her encouragement then I probably wouldn’t be in this position now. So when I hear about anybody out there considering getting involved, I say go for it! Finding a sport that you love playing must be embraced; it’s a special feeling. We’ve got to create more reasons to begin and keep going with sport in our lives.”
Talking of which, you’ve had an exceptionally busy year where you’ve probably needed to dig deep to keep training. How was the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games for you?
A: “Oh, it was very special. I really felt that Paris embraced the Paralympics and gave us the most amazing platform to showcase our sports. It was a fantastic spectacle. For me to go the distance in the singles and get the gold in the doubles was utterly incredible. From being in the Paralympic village, to the crowds, the stadiums and the media… It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I hope to repeat in another four years.
“Admittedly, losing two singles finals was tough and I struggled to get my head around it afterwards. It felt like I’d worked so hard and achieved so much to get to there that it felt wrong not to come away with the gold. But I’ve learned a lot from the Paralympics; they were the best two weeks of my career. And achieving the gold with my long-time doubles partner Gordon Reid was the best feeling in the world. We’d wanted it for a long time and the event had been a big motivator for us to work hard. That two-and-a-half hour final in front of a capacity crowd at the Roland Garros stadium was the best game of wheelchair tennis you’ll ever see. And I had the privilege of being part of it.”
How did it feel to represent your country? Did it add to the pressure?
Alfie Hewett: “In this sport, you usually play as an individual or as a pair. So to compete as part of a wider team, for your country, is a unique experience. Just to get the kit signifies a lot of work and dedication to your sport. And there’s a certain weight of expectation in that you want to do your nation, your family, your friends, even yourself proud. But to be there as part of one of the biggest stages in sport… well, it’s special and I never took it for granted. I also loved looking up into the stands and seeing countless people waving GB flags. It blew my mind that so many had made the effort to come and support us.”
Is LA 2028 your next goal, or do you prefer to focus on more immediate events?
A: “Being ready for LA is definitely a big goal of mine, but there’s so much tennis to play before then. The short-term goal is pre-season training, with four or five weeks to get in shape before the Australian Open. After that it’ll be Grand Slam time, which is another one of those events where legacies are made.
“I’m a very competitive guy and I want to maintain my current trajectory. But I also want to train and win in a more healthy, enjoyable way. Big events can be challenging mentally, and I tend to get obsessive and fixated on things, which is not always good. Sacrifices and commitment are all part of the game, of course. But I want to try harder to enjoy the sport that I love. I also want to share my story and keep promoting wheelchair tennis, getting more youngsters involved. Essentially, I don’t just want to take; I want to give back as well.”
It’s interesting you say that. As you know, Lexus is an official partner of the Lawn Tennis Association and supports tennis players from grassroots level right up to big tournaments. How important is it for big brands like us to show interest in both ends of the sport?
A: “It’s massive. So influential. Helping from the grassroots level is important because people get into sport for many different reasons. Of course, we want to have an elite end of the spectrum. But I believe that sport’s primary focus is to have a positive impact on someone’s life – for their physical, social and mental health. That is the foundation of the sporting pyramid. So to support that by giving people more opportunities and greater access to a sport is hugely important.
“The impact that Lexus’s support has had on my life this year has been life-changing. It’s helped me be able to share my story and have a positive effect on the disabled community. And that effect is already trickling down to others. There are many youngsters who have seen what I’ve done and are now playing wheelchair tennis and sending me videos of their games every single week.”
How do you as a competitive person switch off and relax?
A: “I’ve had to learn to switch off, especially during this year which has been really busy. I still haven’t got the balance quite right, but for me it’s about trying to find a bit of peace and quiet. When I’m on the road and you’re spending weeks away from home, friends, family and partners – even the comfort of your own bed – it can be challenging and exhausting. So I try to find pockets of time when I can come away from that environment, embrace the place that I’m in… And don’t talk tennis. It helps to create some separation and allows me to recharge before going at it again.”
We hope that your RX 450h+ is helpful in that respect. Are you enjoying it?
Alfie Hewett: “I love it! I commute from Norwich to London on a weekly basis, so I rack-up a fair few miles. But being in a car that you feel comfortable and safe in, that is also enjoyable and economical, is something that I’ve really come to appreciate.
“One of the other great things about it is its safety features. Some journeys I’m quite tired and maybe not quite as with-it as I could be. So to have the car assist you with all its detection systems is really useful. And whether it’s hot or cold outside, you’re always comfortable and feel well-taken-care-of inside the car.”
Is the RX a practical car for your needs?
A: “Put it this way – I can’t really travel lightly. I’ve always got a couple of wheelchairs to take: my day chair and my sports chair. Then I’ll have my tennis bag, my wheel bag, a luggage bag, and a couple of other little bags. And that’s just for me. I also often bring my coach or hitting partner, and they need their things too. So having a car that accommodates everything without having to squash it in or play Tetris with it all is really important. I’ve travelled in lot of cars over the years, and the RX is the best and most spacious car I’ve ever experienced.
“When I’m at home I like to charge the plug-in battery as often as possible to make the best use of its EV range. I plug it into the mains with a normal household lead and charge it overnight, so I’m good to go in the morning. A bit like my mobile phone, I suppose. Given the fact that I spend 20-25 weeks of the year away with competitions and do lots of long-distance driving, I think having a plug-in hybrid is the best option for my current requirements.”
It sounds like we’ve given you the right car at the right time. On behalf of all at Lexus, we’re delighted that you’ve been able to speak with us today. And given the feedback from your masterclass, it’s been a fascinating insight into your world and sport. We wish you all the best for your ongoing training and forthcoming events.
Learn more: Lexus and its official partnership with the Lawn Tennis Association
