(CNN)Not since 1995 have there been as many Australians in the singles draws at Wimbledon, with 16 landing at the All England Club this year.
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They are both ex- No.1s in their respective sports, but Scott believes people have forgotten just how significant Hewitt’s success was for Australian sport.
The 19-year-old Kokkinakis succumbed to his illness, and the London heat, in slumping to a first-round defeat in his maiden Wimbledon assault on Monday, but still has an exciting doubles opportunity with Hewitt to look forward to.
But as Nieminen seemed about to ease away, Hewitt dug deep into his reserves of pugnacious determination.
World number one and defending champion Novak Djokovic: “I have lots of respect for Lleyton”.
He might have lost. He didn’t go gently. Meanwhile, Nieminen was having small to no trouble winning his game, holding for 3/2 from 15, before Hewitt established himself in front.
“It’s typical of his whole career, it sums it up”, Scott said after watching the match. “My never-say-die attitude. I have lived with that for 18 or 19 years”. I had to work on other areas of my game, being mentally tough, different strengths, to get the most out of myself. Afterward, Hewitt stood in the middle of Court 2 and basked in a standing ovation, waving to and saluting the spectators.
“That’s something I can always come back and enjoy over the years”.
“I’d be lying if I said my preparation was ideal”, said the world No.69.
The father-of-three’s 17th and last tilt at the All England Club featured vintage backhand top spin lobs and a series of remarkable Boris Becker-like diving volleys. His ranking is 118th, and he has won one of eight matches this season, his final full year on tour.
But then the Finn was playing for the last time at Wimbledon too, and was anxious to go out with a bang and not a whimper – his best performance here was losing in the quarter-final to Rafael Nadal in 2006.
But Nieminen wanted the win as badly, since this, too, was the 33-year-old’s final Wimbledon.
Isner collected more than half of his points, 58 of 96, via unreturned serves.
Wawrinka has turned it on in the tie break to book his place in the second round – he goes through after beating Joao Sousa 6-2 7-5 7-6 (7/3).
“I did not leave any stone unturned preparing, but also on the match court today”. I think it carries a small bit toward us guys..
“There are certain ways of communication – which is encouragement, which is support, which is understanding the moment when to clap or say something that can lift my energy up – that can kind of motivate me to play a certain point”, Djokovic added.
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“It’s the home of tennis”.
