The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has cleared Alfie Hewett to continue playing wheelchair tennis. Earlier, in 2019, Alfie’s Perthes disease was not considered severe enough for him to fulfill the conditions to play for ITF’s tournaments. However, ITF amended its classification recently and as per the new rules, Hewett can now participate in tournaments contested under ITF’s banner.
I barely got a wink of sleep the night before so I was pretty drained and then there were floods of tears. Mentally and emotionally it was a very draining experience but obviously the best one. You've probably all felt it in your lives at some point when something so heavy is taken away you actually feel that lift off your shoulders, and I did. I just felt so much relief.
Alfie Hewett, Wheelchair tennis player