Alfie Hewett is the new wheelchair tennis singles world number one.

The official ITF rankings were released on Monday afternoon confirming the 20-year-old as the new number one.

Having ended 2017 by becoming the first Brit to win the men's singles title at the NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters, Hewett has risen to the pinnacle of his sport, overtaking Gustavo Fernandez in the rankings.

'Becoming the new world number one is a special moment for me and my family,' said former City College Norwich student. 'To accomplish it this early on in my career is something I never would have thought would become reality, but after having such a great eight or nine months, I've gone from strength to strength and I'm still a bit shocked at how quickly my success has arrived.

'I will always owe this to everyone around me who have been through thick and thin. The Tennis Foundation have also been a major factor on my journey, giving me the guidance and support to reach my potential. I strongly believe we have the best programme on the wheelchair tennis tour – multiple players are at their peak and I don't think it's a coincidence that we have all gone so far.'

Hewett added: 'Even though I've reached the top I still feel I have so much more potential to learn and give, so I'm going to stay driven to make sure I become the best player and person I believe I can be.'

Hewett has a total of 18 senior men's titles under his belt, winning his first Grand Slam at Roland Garros in June 2017. In addition to his singles success, Hewett is also a three-time Grand Slam doubles champion – partnering Gordon Reid to triumph at Wimbledon in 2016 and 2017, before earning the doubles crown at the 2017 US Open. He also won two paralympic silver medals in Rio in 2016 in the singles and the doubles.

Hewett and Reid entered their fifth Grand Slam doubles final together at last week's Australian Open, finishing runners-up to French second seeds Stephane Houdet and Nicolas Peifer.