Becoming a member of illustrious firm in Australian tennis, Lleyton Hewitt grew to become the forty seventh Australian Tennis Corridor of Fame inductee at Australian Open 2024.
Melbourne, Australia , 24 January 2024 | Tennis Australia
Few courts carry such significance for Lleyton Hewitt as Rod Laver Enviornment.
In 2003, it was the setting for Hewitt’s trademark Davis Cup heroics, together with a come-from-behind win over Roger Federer within the semifinals.
A number of months on, the then-22-year-old performed one other starring position as Australia defeated Spain for the title.
It was additionally the scene of Hewitt’s memorable run to the ultimate of the centenary Australian Open in 2005, when one in every of his victims included a teenage Rafael Nadal. Hewitt additionally defeated David Nalbandian and Andy Roddick, earlier than falling to Marat Safin in a four-set closing.
There was one more excessive for the previous world No.1 to rejoice at Rod Laver Enviornment throughout Australian Open 2024, when Hewitt was inducted into the Australian Tennis Corridor of Fame.
“That is an unbelievable honour for me to assume again the place my journey began,” mentioned South Australian-born Hewitt, who accomplished the primary of 20 consecutive Australian Open main-draw campaigns in 1997.
“As a 15-year-old, coming right here and qualifying for the Australian Open for the primary time, I at all times dreamt to only have the ability to play as soon as right here.
“To finish up taking part in 20 years in a row and now to get this unimaginable honour and be alongside all of the greats that I appeared as much as in Australian tennis over so a few years, a variety of these guys had been like large brothers and even father figures to me on the market.”
Hewitt was joined on court docket by spouse Bec and two of his three kids, Cruz and Ava (his oldest daughter, Mia, had attended AO 2024 earlier within the fortnight), in addition to mother and father Glynn and Cherilyn, plus sister Jaslyn.
Australian No.1 Alex de Minaur was additionally shut by as a tight-knit group of Hewitt’s pals considered the ceremony.
Hewitt was delighted to affix fellow Australian legends within the prestigious Corridor of Fame, together with many who proudly watched on at Rod Laver Enviornment on Wednesday.
Court docket-side company included Rod Laver, Ken Rosewall, Frank Sedgman, John Fitzgerald, Margaret Court docket, in addition to Invoice and Lesley Bowrey.
“I owe a lot to the Australian tennis group,” mentioned Hewitt. “I’d prefer to thank my household as effectively – Bec and the children for all their help over time. My mother and father, my sister (and) all my pals which might be right here tonight to get pleasure from this second.”
Already a member of the Worldwide Tennis Corridor of Fame, Hewitt is a US Open and Wimbledon champion, a two-time Davis Cup title winner and has twice lifted the trophy on the ATP Finals.
In 2001, he grew to become the youngest man to rise to world No.1, at age 20 and eight months. He received 30 singles titles all through his profession.
Hewitt now proudly leads the Australian Davis Cup crew as captain and is a high-profile spectator at many matches that includes Australian gamers. This notably consists of De Minaur, who’s mentored by the Australian nice.
A bronze statue of Hewitt, the 47th Australian Tennis Corridor of Fame inductee, will be a part of these of different Australian legends in Backyard Sq. at Melbourne Park.
“It’s one thing extremely particular and what a event that is,” Hewitt added. “It’s an excellent honour that it could actually occur right here (on the Australian Open).”
