29 January 2023 , 08:12
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British star Alfie Hewett is targeting a maiden Wimbledon title after winning his seventh singles Grand Slam crown at the Australian Open.
Hewett was crowned men's singles wheelchair champion on Saturday after defeating Japan's Tokito Oda 6-3, 6-1. His singles victory in Melbourne came at the third time of asking, having reached the Australian Open final in both 2021 and 2022 losing on both occasions. The win over Oda capped off a quite remarkable couple of days for Hewett
His singles victory came just one day after he secured the wheelchair doubles title alongside fellow British star Gordon Reid, taking his singles and doubles Grand Slam tally up to 23.
The only title that now evades Hewett is the singles title at Wimbledon, and after breaking his duck in Melbourne this time around, the Brit is aiming to do the same at his home Grand Slam later this year. Hewett did reach the final at SW19 last year, and is now hoping to go one better later this summer.
He said post-match: "Of course I believe I can win it after the last years' performances. We'll see when we get there what the mentality is like." Hewett is now world No. 1 following the retirement of rival Shingo Kunieda.
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Alfie Hewett secured a seventh singles Grand Slam in Melbourne (Getty Images)Kunieda holds the record for most Grand Slam wins having secured 28 in his distinguished career. Despite the huge number, Hewett has his eyes on challenging the former star's record. "It's been on my mind with Shingo retiring, someone's got to step up," said Hewett.
"I feel like, with my ability, that I can get close to his record. I've got age on my side, I've got the confidence, I've got the game style to back myself in every slam now. Obviously, you take it one at a time. But I would love the dominance. I would love to be a figurehead for this sport."