Q&A with ParalympicsGB wheelchair tennis star Alfie Hewett OBE

Home comforts are hard to come by when you’re constantly on the road. Luckily, Alfie Hewett OBE has a few tricks up his sleeve to make sure he’s always guaranteed a great night’s sleep.

The current world no. 1 wheelchair tennis player, Alfie is no stranger to the challenges of high-pressure competition, and the road to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games is no different. From struggling to settle his mind and body to the impact of constant travel, proud Dreams Ambassador Alfie shares his experiences on the journey to Paralympic glory.

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The full interview with Alfie Hewett OBE

Where did your Paralympic dream begin?

‘My first Paralympic dream started back when I was probably around 13 years old. London 2012 was on the horizon. At the time, I was fifth or sixth in the British rankings, which meant I had a couple of places to go to be selected. So I was very much part of the squad.’

What are your memories of your childhood bedroom?

‘When I was a kid, I actually was moved downstairs. When I got my Perthes disease [Legg–Calvé–Perthes disease] and I had to be in a wheelchair, I struggled a lot with sleeping and dealing with what I was going through.

‘To have a bedroom that I felt comfortable in, to give me that space to switch off and get a good night’s sleep was really important.’

Alfie Hewett OBE, ParalympicsGB wheelchair tennis star, sat on a Dreams mattress

How does that compare to your bedroom now?

‘So my current bedroom is on four wheels for the majority of the time! It feels like I’m living out of a suitcase at the moment with all the travelling and training that I’m doing.’

Do you try to bring a bit of home with you on the road?

‘I’m currently in a flat in Norwich, so I still have my Norwich [Norwich City FC] pillows and photo frames that give me that feeling like I’m at home again, similar to my childhood.’

Alfie Hewett, pictured in his Dreams bedroom with a tennis racket

What does your bedroom mean to you?

‘For me, my bedroom now represents the importance of being able to switch off, especially away from such a hectic busy lifestyle with travelling, being in planes, being on the road, having different beds, different sleeping environments.

‘I think it’s important to come back and feel like you can just switch off and get the best night’s sleep possible.’