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"We hope we are changing those negative stigmas that people have about us. People think we can't do anything, but we can and not just play sports: we can work, we can get jobs, we can be teachers, we can be mums, we can be dads, we can travel, we can be partners, we can have kids – we can do so much. People think we can't, but we can. "The Paralympics represents all that. I can't say enough how much I love it." Melbourne-born Alcott leaves the Paralympic arena with six medals to his name. Quad singles gold proved the perfect curtain call, although days earlier he also claimed silver in the doubles alongside Heath Davidson as Schroder and fellow Paralympic debutant Niels Vink prevailed. This followed twin gold in the shadow of Christ the Redeemer at Rio 2016 – as in Tokyo, the doubles accolade was achieved with Davidson – while before wheelchair tennis there was also wheelchair basketball gold at Beijing 2008 and silver at London 2012. A fourth Paralympic gold also left Alcott a US Open title away from completing the calendar Golden Slam – an unprecedented feat in wheelchair tennis which he duly achieved in New York – having already triumphed at the Australian Open, Roland Garros and Wimbledon this season. Alcott was visibly emotional as he confirmed his Paralympic retirement and choked back tears as he pondered his path to this point in his life, both from an on-court perspective but also in reference to his childhood. "I won't be coming back to the Paralympic Games, that's it for me and it's meant so much," said Alcott. "There will be no Paris 2024, I'm done. I've got a little bit left in me, but not that long. "How special was it to go out on top like that? I was almost done after Rio, and then it just kept going. I was in a dark place when the Paralympics got delayed because I was done. "I didn't think I was going to make it to Tokyo, but I found a second wind, my family and my team got me through. I'm just such a proud Paralympian and proud of my disability. "The kid that got bullied about his disability when he was 13, he'd just be so thankful for the life that he lives. I didn't think I had much of a life to live. I hated myself. Now I live the best life of anybody I've ever met and I'm so lucky and so grateful." Alcott is far more than a champion tennis player. He is a television and radio host, motivational speaker, business owner and youth mentor, while he also has designs on an acting career. More than that, however, he is an icon and one of the most prominent and passionate spokespeople for people with disabilities, a role he is proud to see being embraced by a greater volume of Paralympians. "What my Paralympic teammates are saying when they win or lose is just blowing me away," Alcott added. "Two hundred advocates just saying the best stuff I've ever heard. I'm washed up – I'm not needed any more." Alcott namechecked the considerable talents of Dutch duo Schroder and Vink, both as players to thrive and realise their wheelchair tennis dreams, but also individuals to whom the baton of responsibility about spreading the Paralympic message can be passed. After defeating home favourite Mitsuteru Moroishi and Bryan Barten of the United States, Alcott came up against Vink in the semi-finals and was pushed Alco claimed doubles silver with Heath Davidson To summarise my whole Paralympic experience, it's the best thing that ever happened to me 34 Tokyo 2020 ITF World

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