Australian tennis legend Lleyton Hewitt received the highest honour in tennis with his induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame on Saturday, July 16 and fans were quick to share their praise for his latest accolade.
Hewitt was announced as an inductee into the Hall of Fame as part of the 2021 cohort, however, due to travel restrictions imposed as a result of the global pandemic, he was unable to attend the ceremony.
All eyes were on the former world No.1 this time when he took the stage for the ceremony, given that nobody else was inducted in 2022.
“The Hall of Fame seemed like something that was so far away from me,” Hewitt said.
“It was never something I ever thought about as a player, and it was always I thought for the people that were my idols growing up and the absolute legends of the sport.
“It’s been an unbelievable experience for me, the whole buildup the last couple of years, but especially this weekend. I think it’s so fitting for me to be inducted here in Newport at such a special place.
“This is an incredible honour for me. It has made it all the more special to be able to have my family and friends here.
“To think where it all began for me on junior tennis courts in the middle of nowhere in Adelaide in Australia, with no one watching, no TV cameras, and then to make the full tennis journey and actually now be coming into the Hall of Fame. For me, this is such a special place here in Newport.
“I feel fortunate I was able to play across generations, to play against my heroes like Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras.”
Hewitt became the 34th Australian tennis player to be inducted, with his wife Bec Hewitt and their three children in attendance to witness him receive the honour.
Hewitt fans and the tennis community alike were quick to flood social media with praise for Hewitt’s prestigious honour.
Throughout his impressive on-court career Hewitt has won major titles at the 2001 US Open and 2002 Wimbledon Championships. In 2001 he became the youngest singles male to reach the world No.1 in the ATP rankings and throughout his career has secured 30 singles titles and 3 doubles titles.