Alfie Hewett & Christine Truman Janes receive awards from British Tennis Journalists' Association
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Alfie Hewett and Christine Truman Janes are set to be recognised by the British Tennis Journalists' Association (BTJA) with awards for their achievements and services to the sport.
26-year-old Hewett has been named the British Tennis Journalists' Association Player of the Year for 2023 in recognition of a stellar season that saw him finish as the world No.1 in both wheelchair singles and doubles.
Hewett is the first wheelchair tennis star to receive the award after a season that saw him win five Grand Slam titles (Singles: Australian Open & US Open; Doubles: Australian Open, Roland Garros & Wimbledon) as well as the Masters titles in November.
The award was decided by a ballot of BTJA members. Previous winners of the award include Andy Murray, Emma Raducanu and Virginia Wade.
"2023 has been really special," Hewett said. "To finish the year as world No 1 in both singles and doubles has been a huge goal of mine from the outset of my career and I so appreciate the support along the way to make this happen.
"In particular I feel we have again seen continued progression and amazing exposure for the sport of wheelchair tennis. I’m ever grateful to all parties including the British tennis journalists who have backed us and given us a platform to chat about this amazing sport. I only hope for this to continue and continue to grow. Thank you kindly for this award. Bring on 2024."
Truman Janes was the winner of the BTJA's Services to British Tennis award. The 82-year-old is being recognised for her significant contribution to the sport, both as a player and a broadcaster.
"To be remembered, let alone recognised, is heartwarming at my age," she said.
On the court, Truman Janes won the French Championships singles at the age of 18 in 1959 and the Australian Championships doubles with Maria Bueno in 1960. She also finished runner-up in the singles at the 1959 US Championships and Wimbledon in 1961.
Truman Janes claimed victories against many of the sport's great players, including Billie Jean King, Margaret Court and Althea Gibson. Beating the latter in 1958 helped Great Britain claim the Wightman Cup back from the United States for the first time in 28 years.
After retiring from tennis in the 1970s, Truman Janes worked for the BBC as a popular radio commentator for 34 years, working alongside the likes of Max Robertson and Des Lynam. In the 2001 Queen's Birthday Honours, she was awarded an MBE for services to tennis.
