Dylan Alcott admits he's completely cooked after winning through to an eighth straight Australian Open final.
But on a whirlwind week of farewells, which includes juggling commentary and a mad dash to Canberra where he is in the running for the Australian of the Year gong, he wouldn't have it any other way.
MORE: Quad wheelchair singles results
The 31-year-old ensured he would play one more match in the quad wheelchair singles final before his impending retirement after a 6-3 6-0 victory over long-time rival and mate, Andy Lapthorne.
"Andy is always a tough opponent. We had some great battles here at the Australian Open," Alcott said. "We had a really nice embrace at the end where he said, ‘Thanks for everything', thanks so much for changing his life, my life.
"We were the first to play on the big courts here, Grand Slam final, first Grand Slam to do it. It was against Andy.
"He's always been a great competitor and a good guy. I remember I beat him in the gold medal game in Rio. Of all the bars in Rio, our families went to the same one. We all had beers together. Even though he'd lost. How cool is that? All my mates, all his mates."
Alcott improved his flawless record against the British world No.5 to 8-0 but said he was disappointed he would not meet compatriot Heath Davidson in the title match.
Dutch second seed Sam Schroder saw off Davidson 6-1 6-2 in the second semifinal.
"I am gutted my best mate Heath didn't win today. That would have been fairytale, fairytale stuff. Playing on Rod Laver Arena together," Alcott said. "But Sam, he is a legend. He is the next gen. The current gen, to be honest. He's going to take the reins hopefully after Thursday, hopefully not before Thursday.
"What a way to go out? All I want it to be is a great match, a great showcase, and enjoy it."
Alcott was due to fly to the nation's capital on Tuesday afternoon as Victoria's candidate for Australian of the Year.
While playing down his chances – "The winner is Patty Mills, then I fly home" – Alcott said he would not forgive himself if he was announced the winner via a Zoom call.
"I hope it means a lot to a lot of people, even just being nominated… I'm always like, it would just be so cool for a person with disability to get up there and be able to have that," Alcott said. "Been Young Australian of the Year, Senior, all that, just not many Australians of the Year… It's going to be awesome. I'll be tired. Geez, I'll sleep well tonight, I'll tell you that much."
In the men's wheelchair singles, second seed Alfie Hewett won through to the final with a 6-1 6-1 victory over Frenchman Stephane Houdet.
MORE: Men's wheelchair singles results
He will meet Japanese top seed Shingo Kunieda after his 5-7 6-3 6-4 triumph over Dutchwoman Tom Egberink.
MORE: Women's wheelchair singles results
In women's wheelchair singles, Dutch top seed Diede de Groot saw off Britain's Lucy Shuker 6-0 7-5 and will meet compatriot Aniek van Koot for the title after the world No.3's 6-3 6-4 win over South African Kgothatso Montjane.