Lleyton Hewitt of Australia waves farewell to the crowd on Rod Laver Arena as he leaves with his children after playing his last singles match as a professional player against David Ferrer of Spain in a second round match a…
Advertisement
Countless luminaries, sports stars, and celebrities were part of the game, including the Rafters, Pat, and wife Lara.
Why was Djokovic cut from Lleyton Hewitt tribute?
Hewitt retires to take over as Australia’s Davis Cup captain. Sharapova asked, responding to a question in an on-court interview. “It’s just absurd”, Hewitt said. Chants of “COME ON!!” in reference to the war cry Hewitt has trademarked filled the Rod Laver Arena air as fans cheered.
“I feel honoured to have the support and love from this crowd, it means so much to me”.
After the match, Hewitt said that throughout his career he “left nothing in the locker room”.
Novak Djokovic’s testimonial was mistakenly cut from the Hewitt tribute video played on court after his final match, which included messages from Roger Federer, Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal and Nick Kyrgios.
The 34-year-old Australian bowed out from the senior singles circuit in the second round of the Australian Open, the tournament where he announced his genius to the world in january 1997, just a month shy of his 16th birthday.
The pair shook hands, however, at the end of the match and Ferrer now goes through to meet American 31st seed Steve Johnson in the next round.
“Congrats on an awesome career LLeyton Hewitt!”. He’s an incredible player. He’s one of the best players in history. “I have a T-shirt of Lleyton in a museum in my house”. “Tonight is the night for him and also for me”. “I could hear it”, said Ivanovic, who looked on anxiously as the patron received treatment. “But, yeah, I give myself a fighting chance”.
Hewitt also responded defiantly to his name being linked in an anonymous online report with match-fixing claims that have rocked the sport, saying it was “absurd” and a “farce”. Getting the No. 89 gold jacket off John Newcombe and Tony Roche when they picked me to play Davis Cup was one of the great days of my life. “I don’t think I’ve told him (Hewitt) that”, Murray said prior to the grand slam.
“Tennis will definitely miss a great competitor, a great fighter”. I’ve loved every moment. “I’m waiting on Roger (Federer), waiting on his next move”. “When I’m with my close friends and coaching staff that have helped me so much out, yeah, it’s sort of a odd feeling because you’re obviously disappointed not to keep going, but obviously proud of everything we’ve done as well”. You are a big inspiration of my tennis and my mentality.
Wawrinka won the match in straight sets, but admitted post-match that the 38-year-old Czech is a tricky opponent to play so early in the tournament. I wish you all the best with your family. “Enjoy your retirement”, he said.
Murray has made a career out of spoiling hometown scenarios at the four majors and has only lost once – to Frenchman Gael Monfils – when playing a local player at a home Grand Slam.
“You’ve taught all us young kids a lot so hopefully you’ll still be hanging around”.
Advertisement
Hewitt’s resolute mind-set and never say die attitude may have still been intact; however his body is no longer the engine that can dethrone top ten players over best of five sets.
