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Aussie tennis star Lleyton Hewitt inducted into the Australian Tennis Hall of Fame

Matthew Hart
Jan 25, 2024
Hewitt's legacy in Australian tennis is now immortalised, a fitting tribute to a career marked by passion, determination, and unwavering dedication to the sport. Source: Getty Images.

Australian tennis legend Lleyton Hewitt has been officially inducted into the Australian Tennis Hall of Fame, capping off a remarkable career that saw him rise to the pinnacle of the sport.

The ceremony, held at Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday, January 24, saw Hewitt surrounded by his closest supporters, including his wife Bec, children Cruz and Ava, parents Glynn and Cherilyn, sister Jaslyn, and friends.

Australian No.1 Alex de Minaur, along with a tight-knit group of Hewitt’s friends, were also in attendance.

Hewitt was overjoyed to stand alongside other Australian legends, taking his place in the esteemed Hall of Fame.

“This is an unbelievable honour for me to think back where my journey started,” he said.

“As a 15-year-old, coming here and qualifying for the Australian Open for the first time, I always dreamt to just be able to play once here.

“To end up playing 20 years in a row and now to get this incredible honour and be alongside all the greats that I looked up to in Australian tennis over so many years, a lot of those guys were like big brothers or even father figures to me out there.

“I owe so much to the Australian tennis community.

“I’d like to thank my family as well – Bec and the kids for all their support over the years. My parents, my sister (and) all my friends that are here tonight to enjoy this moment.

“It’s something incredibly special and what a tournament this is.

“It’s a great honour that it can happen here (at the Australian Open).”

A bronze statue of Hewitt, the 47th Australian Tennis Hall of Fame inductee, will now stand proudly amongst the statues of other Australian tennis legends in the prestigious Garden Square at Melbourne Park.

The tennis community and fans wasted no time in taking to social media to express their congratulations and admiration for Hewitt’s achievement:

Hewitt’s induction into the Hall of Fame is a testament to his remarkable career achievements. The determined competitor made history by becoming the youngest player to claim the World No.1 men’s singles ranking in 2001 at the age of 20. With a total of 80 weeks at the top, he ranks among the top 10 longest reigns in ATP Tour history.

Hewitt’s list of accomplishments includes 30 career singles titles, triumphant victories at the US Open in 2001 and Wimbledon in 2002, and consecutive titles at the ATP Tour Finals in 2001 and 2002. Notably, he reached the Australian Open singles final in 2005, marking the first time in 17 years that an Australian achieved such a feat.

His dedication extended to doubles, securing the US Open title in 2000 alongside Max Mirnyi. As a three-time Olympian and the most decorated Australian Davis Cup representative, Hewitt played a pivotal role in the nation’s Davis Cup title victories in 1999 and 2003, participating in a record-breaking 43 Davis Cup ties and winning 59 rubbers in the team competition, solidifying his national legacy.

Notably, Hewitt has continued to contribute to Australian tennis by serving as the captain of the Australian Davis Cup team since 2016. His leadership was instrumental in guiding the nation to its first Davis Cup final in 19 years, an achievement accomplished just last year.

Hewitt’s legacy in Australian tennis is now immortalised, a fitting tribute to a career marked by passion, determination, and unwavering dedication to the sport.

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