DYLAN ALCOTT COMPLETES 24-HOUR WHEELCHAIR TENNIS CHALLENGE

Written by: Staff on 15th December 2014

DYLAN ALCOTT COMPLETES 24-HOUR WHEELCHAIR TENNIS CHALLENGE |

“Come down to Melbourne Park and help me smash this world record, free t shirts for all from @acquirelearning!!! 6 hours down!! Quarter of the way there baby!! #dylans24tennis” – photo by @dylanalcott via Instagram

(Courtesy of the ITF and Original Link – http://www.itftennis.com/news/194203.aspx )

Australia’s Dylan Alcott rolled into the history books on Friday morning at Melboune Park, completing a 24-hour wheelchair tennis challenge and raising more than AUD$70,000 for charity, with the total still rising.

The world No. 2 ranked quad singles player took on the 24-hour tennis challenge to raise much needed funds and awareness for two charities close to his heart, the Starlight Foundation and Variety – the Children’s Charity, both of which helped him overcome challenges as a child.

Through the Tennis Cares initiative Tennis Australia assisted Alcott to reach his goal by contributing the venue, staffing fees, catering, security and promotion for his marathon effort, as well as kick-starting the fundraising with a $10,000 donation.

The 24-year-old Victorian was joined by a host of celebrities including Australia’s top ranked player and Grand Slam champion Sam Stosur, Davis Cup player and world No. 81 Sam Groth, basketball star Elizabeth Cambage and AFL players Jack Riewoldt and Tom Hawkins, along with a dedicated support team of family, friends and fans to complete the challenge.

His endurance was rewarded in the early hours of the morning with several surprise appearances. Sex and the City actor Jason Lewis played barefoot for a couple of hours, TV host and singer Rob Mills, who arrived fresh from the opening night of the musical Grease, took to the court decked out in black tie, and TV presenter Lauren Phillips made an appearance.

“It’s been an amazing 24 hours,” Alcott said, sporting a swollen wrist and blisters and feeling exhilarated yet exhausted after completing his record-setting tennis marathon.

“Man there are a lot of beautiful people in the world.. Look at the turnout at #dylans24tennis!! Everyone get down to Melbourne Park and help celebrate and keep donating!!!” – photo by @dylanalcott

“I’d like to thank everyone involved, all those who came down and had a hit, and donated to the cause. I’m touched by all the support and hope I’ve managed to raise awareness both for the sport of wheelchair tennis and my charities, the Starlight Foundation and Variety – the Children’s Charity. The website will be open for donations for another week so there’s still time to get involved.

“Thanks also to my sponsors, AGL Energy, Acquire Learning and First National, and special thanks to Tennis Australia. Through Tennis Cares the whole team has helped out enormously, providing this amazing venue, staff and volunteers, a bit of a party last night and of course a generous $10,000 donation,” Alcott continued.

Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley congratulated Alcott on his amazing achievement and said the Tennis Cares program would continue to make a difference in communities throughout Australia.

“Tennis is the ultimate community sport. Tennis Australia, through Tennis Cares and along with our clubs and partners, is committed to supporting initiatives and programs that will have a positive and lasting impact on families and communities,” Tiley said.

“Members of the tennis family run events and fundraisers all around Australia to raise awareness and money for issues important in their local areas and Dylan’s effort today is beyond exceptional.

“Through Tennis Cares we are delighted to support initiatives such as this one, and will continue to work with our Australian Tennis Foundation and commercial partners to make positive changes to the lives of people across the country.”

Watch video highlight’s form Dylan Alcott’s 24-hour tennis challenge here.

Topics: 24-hour Challenge, Charity, Dylan Alcott, Melbourne Park, Sam Groth, Sam Stosur, Tennis, Wheelchair Tennis

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10sBalls_com says:

December 15, 2014 at 11:57 am

-@DylanAlcott COMPLETES 24-HOUR #WheelchairTennis CHALLENGE- http://t.co/JIWTe5qNSu #tennis #24hourchallenge #DylanAlcott