Dylan Alcott's hopes of finishing his career on a winning note have been dashed, with the 15-time major champion going down to Sam Schröder in the Australian Open quad wheelchair singles final.
Alcott had announced late last year he would retire at the end of the Australian Open, with an eighth straight singles title at Melbourne Park in his sights.
Playing only two days after being named Australian of the Year, Alcott found Schröder to be formidable opposition in the final on Rod Laver Arena, with the Dutch second seed triumphing 7-5, 6-0.
An emotional Alcott addressed the Rod Laver Arena crowd at the post-match presentation, expressing his gratitude for the amazing career he enjoyed.
"I'm really the luckiest guy in the world and I didn't need to win today to realise that," the 31-year-old said.
"It would have been nice to win, to be honest, but I'm still the luckiest person in this country, if not the luckiest person in the world.
"It's because you — everyone watching here — that people like me, people with disability, are getting the recognition and that we're integrated and involved in society.
"If you look up there in the stands and the number of people with disability that are here. That's the reason I get out of bed, it really is.
Alcott paid tribute to his support team, with a special mention of his mother.
"To my team, I love you all so much. It's been an incredible eight, nine, 31 years for some of us," he said.
"It's my mum's birthday today. Happy birthday mum, I love you."
Alcott also showed his cheeky side when he shared a joke with the crowd.
"Should I come back? Nah, just kidding," Alcott laughed.
Schröder congratulated Alcott for the inspiration he had provided so many.
"You have done a great thing inspiring the world and I hope to one day do one small part of what you have as well," he said.
"So thank you for all that you have done."
Alcott's remarkable career
Alcott's retirement brings to an end one of Australia's greatest sporting careers.
Starting his run in 2015 when he claimed his first Australian Open, Alcott won 15 singles and eight doubles titles at the majors.
Three Paralympic golds in tennis were also among his highlights, capped off by last year's 'Golden Slam'.
His sporting career also included winning gold at the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing as a member of the victorious Australian men's wheelchair basketball squad.
Alcott was pitted against one of his greatest rivals in Thursday's final.
He had faced Schröder in three major finals last year, at the Australian and French Opens, and Wimbledon.
He also won when the two met in the Tokyo Paralympics singles final.
Schröder had proven he could win in the majors, having claimed the 2020 US Open.
Both players made tentative starts on their serve, each conceding a break in the opening two games of the match.
Alcott seemed to have seized control of proceedings in the ninth game when he broke Schröder for a second time, allowing him to serve for the set at 5-4.
But Alcott was broken by Schröder in the following game and soon found himself serving to stay in the first set while trailing 5-6.
His service game was largely going to plan when he went 40-15 up with an ace.
But a double fault gave Schröder a sniff of a break and two points later he had his first set point.
Alcott countered with an ace, but Schröder eventually won the set with a backhand winner.
In his opening match against Schröder's countryman Niels Vink, Alcott had lost the first set before rebounding to win in three.
He needed to call upon his fighting qualities again in the second set, but his task became more difficult when he dropped serve in the second game.
Alcott had two break points in the following game, but Schröder reeled off the next four points to hold for a 3-0 lead.
Schröder went on to break Alcott in his next two services games, as he wrapped up victory in an hour and 40 minutes.
