Alfie Hewett grabbed a long-awaited maiden singles title in SW19 last year to finally triumph in the one Grand Slam event that until that point had eluded him, taking his place in tennis’ pantheon of greats
Alfie Hewett heads to Wimbledon with a monkey off his back – and his place in the pantheon of wheelchair tennis greats firmly secure. The Norfolk star, 27, grabbed a long-awaited maiden singles title in SW19 last year to finally triumph in the one Grand Slam event that until that point had eluded him.
That emotional straight sets victory against Spanish rival Martin de la Puente ensured he became just the second men’s wheelchair player to complete the coveted career Grand Slam, with titles – a remarkable 33 overall – now secured at all four majors across both singles and doubles formats.
Hewett returns to his home major as both the defending singles and doubles champion, joining forces with long-term partner in crime, Gordon Reid, fresh off the back of a yet another Grand Slam title with the Scot at Roland Garros this month.
Hewett’s quest for a fourth French Open singles titles may have been thwarted by world No.1 Tokito Oda in the final – but alongside Reid, he turned the tables in the doubles format to down the Japanese star and experienced partner Stephane Houdet in a thrilling championship tie-break.
That made it a staggering 23 doubles and 10 individual Grand Slam titles for Hewett and the current world No.2 will be hoping to emulate those historic exploits from this time last year.
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“It’s always been a long-life ambition [to complete the career Grand Slam],” said Hewett, who is just the second player to achieve that feat after Japanese great Shingo Kunieda, 41.
“To achieve that is special – and I enjoyed every moment of it.
“There was so much relief and euphoria with my team – it was the first time seeing them all cry and that got me choked up.
“Looking up and seeing everyone, my family and friends in tears, was amazing – they’ve walked away feeling just as devastated and disappointed over the last few years.
“Selfishly and personally, to be able to get the career Grand Slam means everything. I know only one other male player in wheelchair tennis has done that, which is Shingo Kunieda, who is not a bad person to be along with.”
Hewett may have failed to grab more individual glory in the French capital but remains acutely aware that his hopes were dashed by one of his most red-hot recent rivals – and the rising star on the wheelchair circuit.
Oda, 19, edged out a narrow 6-4 7-6 (6) win to seize his third French Open title on the spin and his fifth Grand Slam overall. The precocious Asian also extended Hewett’s wait for a maiden Wimbledon singles title by beating him in the final in 2023 before doing the same at the Paris Paralympics as Hewett, who also lost to Reid in the Rio 2016 final, was forced to settle for silver once more.
Oda will be Hewett’s greatest threat on the lawns of SW19 this summer and you wouldn’t put it past them meeting on the final Sunday once more.
“Congratulations Tokito – thank you again for another amazing match on an arena like this”, said Hewett after that latest defeat at Roland Garros. “I want to say thank you to my team who are here this week and back at home cheering me on, supporting and I hope to see you next year.”
While Reid may remain less of an all-rounder than Hewett, the Glasgow-based player is still a two-time Grand Slam singles champion. He triumphed at SW19 and Melbourne Park in 2016 and while he also grabbed Olympic singles gold at Rio 2016, it is his doubles career that has moulded his reputation as a similar wheelchair great.
Reid, 33, has racked up a remarkable 27 Grand Slam doubles titles across a storied career where he and Hewett have emerged as the undisputedly dominant force on the circuit.
It all started for the pair back at Wimbledon in 2016, with Reid gearing up for that Olympic triumph in Brazil with a maiden major title alongside Hewett at their home Grand Slam.
Ever since, they have failed to winless than half of the Grand Slams they have entered and arrive at Wimbledon with a clean sweep of titles this calendar year so far.
A win against Houdet and Daniel Caverzaschi got their 2025 off to a flier in Australia before on the famous red clay of Roland Garros earlier this month, they followed it up with more silverware to extend an unprecedented streak of six successful titles at the first two Grand Slams of the year.
Speaking after that win against Houdet and Oda, Reid said: “It’s always a pleasure to have him [Alfie] on my side of the net. I want to say a big thanks to everyone who came in to watch – you guys created such an amazing atmosphere that we love to play in front of.
“Thank you, too, to our team; all of you have worked so hard this week, and obviously back home, for moments like this.”
While Oda remains the greatest threat to both Hewett and Reid’s – the current world singles No.5 – there are no shortage of other international players who will offer a tough test in London next month.
De la Puente, the world No.3, will be hellbent on banishing those final demons against Hewett last summer while elsewhere, experienced Argentine Gustavo Fernandez is no stranger to the speedy grass surface after lifting the Wimbledon trophy back in 2019. Fernandez, 31, is a five-time major singles champion while veteran campaigner Houdet, 54, remains the world No.6 after winning four Grand Slams at the French and US Opens between 2012 and 2017.
And the other contenders from a British perspective?
Look no further than Ben Bartram, 19, a fellow Norfolk wheelchair star who has grown up idolising Hewett and determined to follow in his glittering Grand Slam footsteps. The current world singles No.21, Bartram reached the doubles semi-finals at Wimbledon last summer where he was unable to celebrate his 19th birthday with a win alongside Spanish partner Caverzaschi.
But he’s relishing channelling inspiration from Hewett and knows the future is bright as he continues to embark on his burgeoning young career.
“It’s a massive source of inspiration to me, seeing how well Alfie is doing,” said Bartram, speaking after that last four loss against Oda and Takuya Miki at Wimbledon last year. “I’d love to lift the title here one year – it’s a dream for any tennis player, especially a British one.
“It’s a goal of Alife’s and a goal of mine as well – maybe I’ll even play him in the final one year!”
On the women’s side, Britain’s Lucy Shuker heads into her home Grand Slam hoping to finally lift the trophy she has fallen agonisingly short of on so many previous occasions. The Fleet player, 45, is a five-time doubles finalist at SW19 and also reached the singles quarter-finals on six previous occasions.
Shuker is one of the most experienced players on the women’s wheelchair circuit and while competing at her fifth Paralympics last summer, carried the British flag at the opening ceremony in Paris.
And speaking on her Paralympic longevity, she said: “I take so much pride – qualifying for my first Paralympics in Beijing was a real target but to be here five Paralympics later, I’m immensely proud of that.
“It shows that it is possible so if other people don’t think it is possible, pick up a racket and try. I’ve loved every minute of it. There are highs, there are lows but it is a fantastic sport.”
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