04/26/24
January 21, 2016
Lleyton Hewitt Ends Singles Career at Australian Open: Twenty years after his first appearance at the Australian Open, local hero Lleyton Hewitt has ended his singles career there following a second-round loss. Hewitt, 34, became the youngest male ever ranked No. 1 at age 20. He won the 2001 U.S. Open and 2002 Wimbledon singles titles and another 28 tournaments. In a nicely written remembrance, Russell Jackson of The Guardian notes that Hewitt finished at Rod Laver Arena and declares, "They’ll never need to scatter his ashes here -- he's spilled so much sweat on center court that his DNA will surely linger for eternity."
From Tennis Brat to beloved Ambassador of the Game.
Only took 15 years.
posted by owlhouse at 01:36 AM on January 22, 2016
I've been watching this Australian Open avidly, like I usually do each year only for Wimbledon. It's a shame Hewitt is done. I like players who make a mad scramble around the court all the time.
posted by rcade at 09:21 AM on January 22, 2016
I watched the match today, and it was somewhat a bittersweet moment. I had never been a particular fan of Hewitt, but I understand what he means to Australian tennis. He is stepping directly into the captaincy of the Australian Davis Cup team. Here's hoping he finds success in that or any other endeavor.