Alfie Hewett 'hated' what could be his final match at the Paralympics.

The Norwich wheelchair tennis star was beaten 6-4 3-6 7-5 by Gordon Reid, who denied him a bronze medal in a difficult match for both players.

It came on the back of a Friday's crushing defeat in the doubles final with both having lost their singles semi-finals in quick succession.

"I think we just hated that match. It was horrible," said the 23-year-old.

"There wasn’t really much said. I think Gordon understood where I was at and I just congratulated him, he got a bronze which will be a great achievement. He’ll be able to cherish that for the rest of his career.

"There’s a lot of respect and we both understood yesterday coming off the court and I think today it was all about just going out there and playing tennis, putting everything to one side, and not really making it be about anything else but the tennis - and that’s what we did."

The game was played out in a surreal atmosphere, with neither player celebrating a single point and support staff staying silent throughout.

Hewett, whose Paralympic journey was suppirted by Sainsbury's, said: "I’m glad I came back from 5-2 [in the third set].

"If I would have lost 6-2 that would have been a bit of a tough one to take. I lost myself with my emotions - understandable I think after the last 48 hours and everything going on.

"I managed to regroup and chill out a little bit - and play some of the tennis I wanted to play. I'm gutted I didn't take my opportunities at 6-5, wishing I had maybe been a little bit more patient and composed, but that’s tennis."

It was played out against the sad backdrop of uncertainty surrounded Hewett's future in the sport.

Hewett's hip impairment, Perthes disease, was ruled not serious enough for him to compete in the disability sport.

The East Anglian will be ineligible come the end of the year if he doesn’t win an appeal and this month’s US Open could be his last major tournament.

"It’s what I’ve done since I was eight years old. It’s my career, it’s my profession and I want to continue," said Hewett.

Hewett and Reid fly directly to the US Open and will defend their doubles title at Flushing Meadows in what could be their final tournament together.

"It will be difficult to get back straight on it but it’s a Grand Slam and we’re very grateful to be there," said Hewett

"Wheelchair tennis at a slam is a great way to showcase the sport. We’ve done it so well this week, showed the high quality we can bring, going to try and rest as much as we can in the next 72 hours and then go again on Thursday."

Sainsbury’s is a proud supporter of ParalympicsGB and a champion of inclusive sport for all. Sainsbury’s commitment to helping customers to eat better has been at the heart of what we do since 1869. For more information on Sainsbury’s visit www.sainsburys.co.uk/ and https://paralympics.org.uk/