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Day 14 Diary: Awe-inspiring Alcott retains Paris crown

It was another trophy-laden day on the clay at Roland-Garros, here are the best bits on and off court.

 - Alex Sharp

Iga Swiatek has proven she was poles apart from the rest of the women’s singles draw, clinching her historic and maiden Grand Slam title in emphatic fashion.

There were also exciting matches across the grounds with so much at stake in Paris this weekend.

Here is what you may have missed…

Alcott out to inspire

For a second successive year, top-ranked quad wheelchair player Dylan Alcott is the Roland-Garros singles champion courtesy of a 6-2, 6-2 triumph over second seed Andy Lapthorne.

“It's been obviously such a crazy year. For Roland-Garros to even get up is pretty awesome, let alone wheelchair tennis, put on the main court today for the first time,” said the 11-time Grand Slam champion after his victory on Court Suzanne-Lenglen.

“As soon as I saw that, I had a spring in my step, to be honest. I like a big, big occasion. I stuffed up the US Open, lost in the final. I think winning today made the trip worthwhile. I'm really proud of how I played.”

Alcott, harbouring ambitions of acting after his tennis career concludes, has been buoyed by the constant support of big names in the tennis world.

Earlier this week, fellow world No.1 Novak Djokovic posted videos on social media while watching the wheelchair events from courtside.

“It's massive. It was like when we didn't get in the US Open, I almost fell out of my wheelchair when Andy Murray calls me and goes, ‘Hey, man, I've been speaking to Roger, Novak, Rafa and the boys, and we put in the WhatsApp. They can't believe you're not there either. We're going to try to help’.

“I was lucky enough to win a basketball gold medal when I was 17, the Beijing Paralympics. I never met LeBron James. But when I play tennis, I'm sharing the locker room with Roger, Rafa, Andy, Novak. They're right there. It's like no other Paralympic sport.

“I feel privileged to play it, I really do. I love it. I just want to build the sport so when I retire, the next generation of kids can get sponsors, they can afford to come, can afford to buy a wheelchair. People do watch them. That's what I want to try and do.”

We’re loving your work, Dylan!

Fancy dress feeling for the final

During the lockdown, Iga Swiatek took part in Federer’s wall volley challenge wearing a unicorn onesie.

A clutch of lucky fans able to watch her final triumph on Court Philippe-Chatrier on Saturday dressed for the occasion.

Check out their onesie efforts below…

'This place is magic'

On Saturday, German duo Kevin Krawietz and Andreas Mies became just the fourth men's team to successfully defend their Roland-Garros title with victory over US Open champions Mate Pavic and Bruno Soares.

The pair stole the hearts of fans last year with their surprising run to the trophy and were their typical endearing selves during their victory speeches on Saturday.

"Merci… okay, that’s enough, I don’t know more [French], sorry," said Mies with a laugh.

"This place is magic. It’s hard to believe right now, it’s crazy, what a moment.

"Kevin, the most-asked question after winning last year was, ‘Did you realize it?’ I’m not sure how long this one takes now. Honestly, if somebody would have told us last year that we’re going to come back here and defend the title, we would have asked them, ‘How many beers have you had?’ It’s unreal."

Hewett doubles up

On Friday, men’s wheelchair star Alfie Hewett completed a career slam with compatriot Gordon Reid. On Saturday, the Brit clinched the Roland-Garros double with the singles silverware.

The 22-year-old won his fourth Grand Slam singles trophy with a gruelling 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 “rollercoaster” against world No.4 Joachim Gerard.

“Yeah, still quite emotional. Haven't really let it out yet. I can't believe I actually won it. I don't really know how I'm sitting here victorious, to be honest,” said world No.3 Hewett, who backed up his 2017 title here, despite a shoulder impingement down 1-3 in the decider. 

From his major breakthrough in Paris three years ago, Hewett is proud of his development.

“I was probably a bit of a wild child back then. I definitely matured a lot. I was 18, maybe 19 at the time I won that. Just feel like the game has moved on quite a lot. The type of spin, the power behind it. I think the research gone into it. You can just tell everyone has massively improved. It's not just a social sport anymore,” stated the Brit.

“It's proper professional wheelchair tennis. Every little thing counts. I've had to keep my eye on that. Just personally for myself, just feel like my game has become a lot more diverse. I couldn't hit a slice three years ago. Or a drop shot. I've just been able to adapt a lot, work around my strengths, kind of improve all the little weaknesses in the background.”

Djokovic on the wall

Earlier in the tournament, you may recall Novak Djokovic joked with a journalist that he could see Federer and Nadal in pictures on his wall, but not him. 

Well, that reporter tweeted a new addition, which the Roland-Garros finalist and the 17-time Grand Slam appreciated by tweeting the below: