Tennis star Dylan Alcott to be immortalised in wax at Madame Tussauds

This year’s Australian of the Year and tennis legend, Dylan Alcott, has received his second major honour for 2022 after it was announced he will receive a Madame Tussauds wax figure.

Alcott described the news as “an absolute honour”, expressing his love and appreciation for Madame Tussaud‘s attractions. The new addition to the museum will mark its first celebrity figure in a wheelchair.

“Being approached to receive a Madame Tussauds wax figure is an absolute honour,” he said.

“I’m such a huge fan of the Madame Tussauds attractions, they’re home to the biggest celebrities in the world and I feel so proud that I’ll be amongst them!”

Alcott said the honour was a “huge step” in achieving better and more equal representation of people living with a disability as he thanked the museum for being part of the change.

“4.5 million people in Australia are living with a physical or non-physical disability and we need greater representation of people with a disability in everyday life. Being honoured with a wax figure is huge step in achieving that,” he said.

“Thank you to the Madame Tussauds team for helping to celebrate and normalise living with a disability.

“As part of the new tennis experience, guests will get to experience what it’s like to play wheelchair tennis – you’ll see it’s harder than it looks!”

 

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Alcott’s wax figure will be dressed in the tennis star’s iconic custom Nike outfit that he wore in the 2022 Australian Open final.

The athlete’s figure will be placed in a custom-built Melrose Gazelle wheelchair which will sport a replica of the moulded fibre seat shell responsible for delivering increased responsiveness during sporting games.

 

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General Manager of Madame Tussauds in Sydney, Richard Dilly, described Alcott as an incredible star, both on and off the court.

“Dylan Alcott is a true Australian icon. He was the first man in history to achieve a ‘golden slam’ after winning all four grand slam tennis tournaments last year and then gold at the Tokyo Paralympics, but it’s also what he represents off the court that makes him a true champion. Dylan’s advocacy to drive change and represent diversity is awe-inspiring,” he said.

Dilly went on to praise Alcott’s honourable efforts in generating “a new wave of awareness for the disabled community, both on and off the court.”

“We are honoured to be working with him to create Madame Tussauds Sydney’s first wax figure in a wheelchair,” he said.

“To have the opportunity to present Dylan with a wax figure in the same year that he was named Australian of the Year is incredibly fitting and we are very proud to be working with him.”