Dylan Alcott: A new cover star

After creating history as the first man to win multiple gold medals at a Paralympic Games in Rio, world No.1 quad wheelchair player Dylan Alcott is about to set another milestone.

The 25-year-old Australian is the cover star of the 473^rd and latest issue of Australian Tennis Magazine – becoming the first wheelchair player to appear on a cover in the magazine’s 41-year history.

Australian Tennis Magazine editor Vivienne Christie explained Alcott was a deserving cover star for the October-November “Motivation issue”, which hits shelves tomorrow.

“Dylan’s Rio heroics took enormous drive and it is a journey that needs to be celebrated. From rediscovering his love of tennis to achieving Paralympic glory, Dylan showcases the power of persistence and a positive attitude,” she said.

Big love to the Australian Tennis Magazine for choosing me for their cover, my first ever one! ???????????????? #tennis pic.twitter.com/Bfwfaz8jEH

— Dylan Alcott (@DylanAlcott) October 11, 2016

Alcott becomes the 114^th player to feature on an Australian Tennis Magazine cover.

In recognition of Alcott’s achievement, we’ve delved into the magazine’s archives to uncover further cover stats:

• Swiss legend Roger Federer and Australian Lleyton Hewitt hold the record for most total covers…

• Alcott becomes the 39^th Australian cover star…

• With Roger Federer and Lleyton Hewitt leading the way for male cover appearances, the female record is a tie between Steffi Graf and Serena Williams…

• The longest gap between cover appearances is 18 years, a record held by Frenchman Yannick Noah. Serena Williams is nearing this now, having first appeared on the cover in 1999…

• Alcott is now one of 30 active players to feature on a cover and joins Daria Gavrilova as a first-time cover star in 2016…

• The Australian Tennis Magazine launched in 1976 and has been Australia’s leading tennis publication for the past four decades. These are the most popular cover stars in each of the magazine’s decades…

• This week marked the first time since June 2003 that neither Roger Federer nor Rafael Nadal have featured in the world’s top four singles rankings. Both are also yet to feature on an Australian Tennis Magazine cover in 2016, threatening long streaks. Federer has appeared at least once a year since his first cover in February 2004, as has Nadal since his first in July 2005.