As his admirable tennis career draws to a close after 17 years, we look back on the Aussie tennis legend’s most memorable moments.
Lleyton Hewitt is embarking on his last ever Australian Open as his farewell tour continues – so we decided this was as good an excuse as any to take a look at some vintage moments throughout his career.
On Tuesday night the 34-year-old defeated fellow Aussie James Duckworth, 23, at the Rod Laver Arena 7-6, 6-2, 6-4.
As always, his supportive family were in the stands to cheer him on. “The kids are going to have lifelong memories of this. Obviously it’s a really emotional time but I’m trying to enjoy it as much as possible,” he said of his epic goodbye tour. Lleyton will come face-to-face with number eight seed David Ferrer on Thursday night.
Lleyton debuted at the Davis Cup in 1999 and has since won 42 singles matches, 16 doubles and a record breaking 40 ties.
Once he officially retires, the legend nicknamed Rusty will return as captain to impart his knowledge to younger players.
Whatever the result of his final match, there’s one thing we know for sure – Lleyton’s tennis legacy will live on (and hopefully so will his classic moments captured on camera!).
Click through to check out Lleyton Hewitt’s most famous moments, on and off the court
C’mon one more time! Lleyton pulled out his signature move during Tuesday night’s face-off with fellow Aussie James Duckworth.
The 34-year-old defeated the 23-year-old.
And as always, his supportive wife Bec Hewitt and children Ava, Mia and Cruz were there to cheer him on.
The sports star was blown away by his first-round win in what will be his last ever Australian Open.
“The kids are going to have lifelong memories of this. Obviously it’s a really emotional time but I’m trying to enjoy it as much as possible,” he said of his epic goodbye tour.
Lleyton will come face-to-face with number eight seed David Ferrer on Thursday night.
In a beautiful touch, his three children surprised him with a farewell song.
The Hewitt children’s special tribute to Lleyton
A very fresh-faced young lad by the name of Lleyton Hewitt made his stunning debut at the Davis Cup at the age of 18, causing serious upset to the then world number eight, Todd Martin.
For years he divided opinion as a the bad boy of tennis. “Whatever you think about Lleyton Hewitt, if you pay the price of admission, he gives you full value,” Aussie Davis Cup captain Wally Masur concedes.
Born in Adelaide to parents Glenn and Cherilyn, Lleyton became the youngest-ever person to be ranked number one in world singles.
Who could ever forget Lleyton’s trademark and iconic statement, “C’mon!” – not to mention his blonde, curly ponytail.
He’s taken home plenty of Davis Cup Championships but he’s also won a grand slam or two – pictured here in 2002 after winning Wimbledon men’s singles.
Despite walking away from his last Davis Cup game, Lleyton Hewitt leaves behind an enviable legacy.
Off the court, Lleyton is a doting husband to former Home and Away actress Bec Hewitt.
Lleyton proposed to Bec just six weeks into dating her, they married in 2005 and as they say, the rest is history.
Lleyton’s greatest life achievement is off the court. His three adorable kids, Mia, 9, Cruz, 6, and Ava, 4, are a chip off the old block.
Once he retires, the legend nicknamed Rusty will return as captain to impart his knowledge to younger players.
He’ll also be spending more time with his little ones!
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