Alfie Hewett WINS Wimbledon wheelchair singles title to complete career Grand Slam after heartbreak in last two finals – as England claim early win over Spain before Euro 2024 final
- Alfie Hewett defeated Martin de la Puente 6-2, 6-3 in the wheelchair singles final
- The star was emotional after claiming the long-awaited Wimbledon singles title
- That means England will have beaten Spain at least once before the final of Euro 2024.
Alfie Hewett claimed his first emotional wheelchair singles title at Wimbledon after a convincing 6-2, 6-3 victory over Spaniard Martin De La Puente.
Hewett had suffered disappointment in the singles finals at the All England Club in 2022 and 2023 as he attempted to complete the career Grand Slam.
However, the British star erased the memories of his defeat on Court One to Tokito Oda last year with a sublime performance to surprise a jubilant home crowd with a long-awaited singles success in SW19.
“I’m speechless to be honest. The last few years have been tough,” Hewett admitted.
‘Winning the doubles with Gordon (Reid) has brought back some great memories, but to have to leave in the last few years with a loss in the singles final has not been far from heartbreaking.
Alfie Hewett defeated Martin de la Puente to claim his first Wimbledon wheelchair singles title
The 26-year-old, who lost the final in 2022 and 2023, has completed the career Grand Slam
“I’m speechless to be honest. The last few years have been tough,” Hewett admitted after his 6-2, 6-3 triumph
‘When you’ve been watching this since you were a kid and it’s been a dream for so long, it’s really hard to miss it at the last minute.
“I was a nervous wreck last night because I didn’t want to walk away with another loss and I’m just really, really proud of my performance there. And I’m so grateful to all of you.”
‘I want to thank my team, they are like a second family there.
‘We have been through a lot together, many highs and sometimes lows, but you always make sure that I become myself again, back at my level.
“You kept believing in me. I think today proved that no matter how many times you get knocked down, you can always get back up and keep trying. It’s all thanks to you guys.”
Second-seeded Hewett advanced to the final on Friday after a marathon final with Gustavo Fernandez.
A few hours later, De La Puente surprised 2023 winner Oda and reached the final of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time.
Hewett, who had won 21 of his previous 22 matches against the Spaniard, was expected to win the Wimbledon title for the first time.
England secured a first win over Spain ahead of their Euro 2024 triumph as Hewett beat Martin de la Puente
Hewett and De La Puente entered a half-full Court One on Sunday morning to loud applause, with breaks soon being exchanged.
Game 5 proved to be the catalyst for Hewett to storm to victory, with the 26-year-old scoring 12 of the next 14 points and drawing thunderous applause in the season opener.
A break early in the second set prompted more cheers, but De La Puente hit back and the result was a lack of holds.
Eventually, Hewett held on to take a 5-3 lead, coming close to his holy grail, earning his second championship point with a stunning backhand winner.
Tension erupted on court one as Hewett was overcome with emotion before celebrating victory with outstretched arms after a 78-minute battle, adding the Wimbledon title to his four US Open titles, three Roland Garros wins and his only Australian Open singles victory.