A Belgian wins the Australian Open
Joachim Gérard, 34, from Walloon Brabant, has won the Australian Open Wheelchair Singles tennis. This is his first Grand Slam singles tournament win, a great achievement for this top-level athlete who started playing wheelchair tennis at the age of 12.
Joachim Gérard was on exceptionally good form and started the final against British player Alfie Hewett, the world's number three, like a whirlwind. He won the first set 6-0 and was then caught out 4-6 in the second when his opponent regained his confidence. After 2 hours 13 minutes of play, he finished the match 6-4 in the final set. It was a great victory against the man who narrowly beat him at Roland-Garros last autumn.
Our compatriot, the fourth best player in the world, already has a great record, with four Masters titles and a bronze medal at the Rio Paralympic Games.
This first Grand Slam singles victory opens the door to other great moments in wheelchair tennis.
Congratulations to our champion!