An emotional Alfie Hewett captured the Australian Open 2025 men’s wheelchair singles title on Saturday, triumphing 6-4 6-3 over long-time rival and top seed Tokito Oda.
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The Brit teared up as he soaked in the moment before patting his heart, punching the air and twice roaring “Come on!” before shedding tears while burying his head in his towel.
The world No. 2 secured a second AO crown and tenth major singles title in 1 hour and 36 minutes at Kia Arena, which was a rematch of the past two AO men’s wheelchair singles finals.
“Tokito, we’ve had so many battles in finals over the last couple of years, so thank you for letting me have this one. You’ve had my number in the last couple of Grand Slams,” Hewett said, referencing his losses to the Japanese star in the finals of Roland Garros 2023, Wimbledon 2023 and AO 2024.
“It’s always a good fight and I’m very, very confident this won’t be the last time that you’re in a final, I’m sure you’ll have your hands on this trophy very soon.”
Hewett gave thanks to his team, led by coach Craig Allen.
“We put in so much effort for these moments,” he said. “To get here is an achievement, but to try and beat this guy in a final is an impossible task, it seems, so I feel very delighted, happy, overwhelmed with emotion right now to get my hands back on this trophy.”
The Brit, wearing maroon at AO 2025, recalled that he wore purple for his title run to AO 2023, and joked that he’ll keep wearing the colour at future AO tournaments.
“If you see me in purple, watch out,” laughed Hewett, who trails Oda 9-10 after the pair’s 19th meeting, and 5-9 in finals. At major finals, the Brit is now 2-3, with all five battles decided in straight sets.
Competing with a taped right shoulder, the 27-year-old thrived thanks in part to cheers of “Alfie, Alfie, Alfie, Oi, Oi, Oi” from enthusiastic fans.
The Brit was denied five break points in Odo’s opening service game but ultimately secured an early advantage, breaking for a 5-3 lead. Oda, aiming to defend his AO 2024 crown, immediately broke back only to concede his service game and the first set.
Hewett, who was on a five-match losing streak to the 18-year-old Oda, broke his foe early in the second, then consolidated for a 3-0 lead.
Oda, the often-vocal top seed, showed his competitive spirit, roaring to punctuate winners and when he saved break points to hold at 2-4 in the second.
But Hewett, competing in his 19th Grand Slam singles final, matched his opponent’s roars and exuded positive energy, often first-pumping on key points.
Serving for the title at 5-3, the British second seed played a few loose points including sending a backhand volley wide on break point and suddenly, the set was back on serve.
Digging deep at 5-4, 30-all, Hewett ripped a backhand winner to set up championship point, which he clinched as Oda sent a backhand long.
The duo are dominating men’s wheelchair tennis in the wake of Shingo Kunieda’s retirement after winning Wimbledon in 2022.
They’ve captured all nine majors that have been held since then; the 2024 US Open did not occur due to a scheduling clash with the Paris 2024 Paralympics. Hewett’s victory at Melbourne Park makes him the fourth player to win more than one men’s wheelchair singles title following Kunieda, David Hall and Gustavo Fernandez.
The victory caps off a successful tournament for Hewett, who won his sixth straight AO men’s wheelchair doubles title on Friday with partner Gordon Reid.
On Saturday afternoon, the Brit thanked the crowd for contributing to an amazing atmosphere.
“This is what we train for, this is what we want to do in the majors, we want to perform in front of an incredible crowd with such enthusiasm for what we do.”