Culture

Dylan Alcott Donates $40K To Bushfire Victims With Disabilities After Winning The Aussie Open

Legend.

by Rebecca Shaw  2 February 2020
Dylan Alcott

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Multi-talented Aussie legend Dylan Alcott just won his 6th consecutive Australian Open title. 

Alcott defeated British rival Andrew Lapthorne in the Men’s Quad Wheelchair singles final, taking it in straight sets 6-0 6-4.

His sixth consecutive win is obviously incredible, but it’s what came after the match that made it so special. Alcott used the moment to announce that he had been donating $100 per ace he served at the Open to bushfire victims, but that his team had come on board, bumping it up to $800 per ace. This meant that after the final, Alcott had raised a huge 40 thousand dollars. The money will specifically be going to victims of the bushfires with a disability, helping those that are often severely impacted, yet overlooked in a crisis.

Alcott used his speech to praise the Australian Open as one of the most inclusive of all the Grand Slams around the world, saying that tennis had saved his life, and the Australian Open had changed his life.

He also gave a heartwarming shoutout to young people with disabilities.

“Look around the top row every single person on the top row pretty much has a disability in the disability seat,” he said, pointing out that the Open’s allocated seating was full. “So to any young person, keep doing what you are doing and I promise you as we continue to grow, society will support you and help you do whatever you want to do.”

You can check out his entire speech below.