Dylan Alcott Has Called Out The Disgusting Prize Money Gap For Disabled Players

By Abdul Rafay in Sports On 5th February 2022
advertisement

His aim, however, was not realized, and he was defeated in straight sets 7-5 6-0 by Sam Schröder in the men's quad singles final on Rod Laver Arena on Thursday (27 January).

According to news.com.au, the men's and women's singles trophies at Melbourne Park are worth AU $2.875 million (£1.4 million), with the runners-up taking home AU $1.575 million (£820k).

Semifinalists receive AU $895,000 (£467,000), while opponents who lose in the first round receive AU $103,000 (£54,000).

Alcott said: “I won the lead-in tournament here and it was like $1,300. How much is a flight from Europe, $3,000?”

“It’s not just Australia, it’s all around the world. We don’t get $3.5 million for winning.”

“We get less than half the first-round loser ($103,000) that the able-bodied get at all slams.”

advertisement
Follow On Google News

“That’s way better than it was. We used to get a firm handshake and a cold Powerade. So it’s better, but we’ve got to keep building it so it gets better and better.”

The wheelchair tennis champion went on to argue that the sport still has a long way to go in terms of giving all players equal rights and opportunities.

Alcott continued: “We have the best Paralympic sport in the world because of the integration with the able-bodied tour. It’s unbelievable. And we do a poor job of leveraging that all year.”

advertisement

“But people internally sometimes don’t do as good a job to understand how good the product is.”

“People think we’re lucky to be here; get stuffed. We deserve to be here. We’re selling tickets, sponsors are making money and people are loving it.”

“So start thinking like that and then it will all change. That’s what I was lucky enough to do.”

Follow On Twitter

Following his most recent performance at the Australian Open, Alcott faced the press to answer a slew of questions about his illustrious tennis career, as well as how he felt about his final match.

Alcott described his first professional match as being played in front of only a few people.

His farewell match, though, was played in front of a packed arena at Melbourne Park, with a million fans watching on TV.

Andy Murray sent him a note to emphasize how far he has come since that first game.

"This just sums up how it's changed," he said. "I hope he doesn't mind this but Andy Murray just messaged me: 'I don't know if I've articulated that well but you're an absolute rock star and inspiration. Thanks for everything that you've done.'”

"That kills me. Makes me want to cry. Special. Like you're just a part of it... they don't even care you're in a wheelchair.”

"They don't give a s***. Sorry to swear. It's special. So nice. It's like that everywhere. I never thought that would happen like it's cool. It's cool.”

"That's better than winning a tennis tournament. There's a legend of the sport getting around wheelchair tennis."