Alfie Hewett: Inspired by Djokovic, Federer, and Nadal in the Pursuit of Gold
For Alfie Hewett, 2024 has been a landmark year, one where his legacy in wheelchair tennis continued to grow, fueled by the inspiration he draws from tennis giants like Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal. At the top of his game, Hewett has accumulated 30 Grand Slam titles, making him one of the sport’s most decorated players. This includes his victory in the singles at Wimbledon in July, a monumental achievement that ticked off one of his most coveted dreams.
But Hewett is not just a player content with past glories; he is looking to the future, and as he eyes a gold medal in the upcoming Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, the example set by the world’s best has become a guiding light for him. The wheelchair tennis legend spoke exclusively to Tennis365 at a Lexus event, where he shared insights into his mindset and how the “Big 3” of men’s tennis—Djokovic, Federer, and Nadal—have shaped his approach to the game and life in general.
The Pursuit of Greatness: Djokovic’s Influence on Hewett
Alfie Hewett’s journey in wheelchair tennis has been one of relentless determination, but it is the example set by the giants of tennis that continues to fuel his drive. Hewett openly admits to drawing significant inspiration from Novak Djokovic, particularly the Serbian superstar’s gold medal win at the 2024 Paris Olympics. For Hewett, Djokovic’s achievement resonates deeply, as his own ambition to clinch a gold in singles is very much in the horizon. While that moment remains a few years away, Hewett could not help but admire Djokovic’s perseverance and his unyielding desire to keep improving with age.
“I take a lot of inspiration from Novak, especially his gold medal win at the Olympics this year,” Hewett revealed in his interview with Tennis365. “I watched all of it because maybe I can relate to it as my next big ambition is to get a gold medal in singles. That’s three years down the line, so I won’t worry about it for now, but to see him achieve that was amazing.”
Hewett sees in Djokovic a powerful example of how belief and perseverance can drive success, regardless of the obstacles or challenges one may face. Djokovic, who overcame personal and professional setbacks to claim his Olympic gold, serves as the perfect role model for Hewett, who has faced his own set of challenges in wheelchair tennis.
Federer, Nadal, and the Power of Belief
While Djokovic has had a profound influence on Hewett’s aspirations, he is quick to acknowledge that the mental fortitude and consistency of other legends like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal also play an integral part in shaping his approach to the game. Despite their differing styles and personalities, the common thread between all three players—the Big 3—is their unwavering belief in themselves and their ability to keep coming back year after year.
“Their attitude and styles are different, but the one thing they all have is incredible belief and determination in what they do,” Hewett explained. “And they keep coming back for more. I can take so much inspiration from that, especially with young players coming into the wheelchair game now and raising their levels.”
For Hewett, the mindset of the Big 3 is not just about winning; it’s about pushing the boundaries of what is possible and constantly evolving. Whether it’s Federer’s elegance on the court, Nadal’s relentless fighting spirit, or Djokovic’s indomitable focus, these qualities serve as a blueprint for longevity and success.
“In wheelchair tennis, you have a young player challenging me now in Tokito Oda, and here is a player that you know is going to truly test you to your absolute limits,” Hewett continued. “You have two options: you accept he is better, or you try and improve yourself to compete with him. Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, and Andy Murray were the epitome of trying to raise the bar year after year, and no matter who won what, they always came back stronger. That aspect of it, I find it truly remarkable.”
Adapting Lessons from the Able-Bodied Game to Wheelchair Tennis
Hewett’s passion for tennis is not confined to wheelchair tennis alone; he is deeply invested in the broader sport. Watching the progress of the sport’s top players—particularly the Big 3—has helped Hewett refine his own game, even though wheelchair tennis differs in many ways from traditional able-bodied tennis.
“Tennis is all about mindsets,” Hewett said, referencing Jannik Sinner, whose mental toughness on crucial points has caught his attention. “As we are seeing with Jannik Sinner now, he is so good on crucial points in matches. I look at that and think it’s something I could work on. Wheelchair tennis is different from able-bodied tennis, but I can take a lot from watching those guys.”
Hewett also noted that the lessons in focus, composure, and adapting under pressure are transferable across all forms of tennis. While wheelchair tennis may have specific nuances, the mental aspects of the game are universal, and Hewett works hard to integrate these lessons into his own approach.
The Passion for Tennis: A Fan as Well as a Player
Despite being one of the most successful wheelchair tennis players in history, Hewett remains an avid fan of the sport. His enthusiasm for tennis transcends his personal career, and he has developed a keen interest in following the progress of players on the able-bodied tour. He confesses that he follows every tournament closely and often watches hours of tennis even during his off-season.
“When I started playing tennis, I wasn’t too aware of what was happening on the able-bodied side of the sport because I was so fixated on what I was doing,” Hewett admitted. “Then, especially over the last four or five years, I follow every tournament. I could probably sit here and list off the top 30 players in the world right now. I find it so fascinating, and I can learn a lot from what they are doing.”
Hewett’s love for the sport extends beyond his own participation. Even after a full day of competing, he finds joy in watching matches from the ATP Finals in Turin and other top-level events. His partner may not always share his enthusiasm, but Hewett cannot help himself when it comes to watching tennis.
“My partner hates it because I come back from a tennis tournament, and the first thing I put on TV is the ATP Finals in Turin!” Hewett laughed. “She’s like, ‘Really? You’ve been playing tennis all week, and now you want more?’ But I’m in my off-season, and I just want to watch more tennis.”
Looking to the Future: Hewett’s Ambitious Goals
As Hewett continues to challenge himself in wheelchair tennis, the inspiration he draws from Djokovic, Federer, and Nadal remains at the heart of his pursuit of greatness. Whether it’s through watching their on-court brilliance or learning from their resilience, Hewett is determined to carry those lessons into his own career. His ultimate goal? A gold medal in singles at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics—a dream that continues to fuel his passion for the game.
With rising stars like Tokito Oda testing his limits and his own belief in his ability growing, Hewett’s journey in wheelchair tennis is far from over. The mental toughness and tenacity shown by the legends of the sport will continue to inspire him as he works to leave an even greater legacy of his own.
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