Wheelchair Tennis Masters 2023: Hewett set for year-end world No.1 ranking after clinching the double alongside Reid
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Alfie Hewett is set to end another memorable year as world No.1 in the wheelchair tennis rankings for the first time after claiming his third NEC Wheelchair Singles Masters title since 2017 in Barcelona, where he also sealed a hat-trick of ITF Wheelchair Doubles Masters titles alongside Gordon Reid.
Hewett pulled of an inspiring comeback win over world No.3 Gustavo Fernandez, 4-6, 6-1, 6-3 in the final, having also beaten the Argentinian in straight sets during the round-robin phase of the year-end championships earlier in the week.
The title marks Hewett’s third Masters singles trophy after his previous triumphs in 2017 and 2021, where he and Reid also won the doubles crown.
This victory caps off another sensational year for the 25-year-old on the Uniqlo Wheelchair Tennis Tour, where he has added seven singles titles to his name – including the Australian Open and US Open titles – and is now set to re-claim his position at the top of the world’s rankings.
"I'm obviously super happy, it was one of my goals” Hewett said in his on-court interview. “When I sat down at the beginning of the year, I said I wanted to finish the year as number one.
“To be able to say we did it is something I'm extremely proud of and to win the Maters singles title at the same time is an even more special feeling".
Hewett becomes only the second Brit to end the year at the top of the singles world rankings after his double partner Reid achieved the same feat in 2016.
Meanwhile in Saturday’s doubles final, Hewett and Reid also came back from a set down to defeat defending champions Fernandez and Martin de la Puente 3-6, 6-3, 10-6 and wrap up their 10th title of the season together and 44th as a partnership.
Both supported by the LTA Elite Wheelchair Tennis Programme, Hewett and Reid will also end 2023 as world No.1 and No.2 respectively in the men’s wheelchair doubles after clinching the title.
