Lleyton Hewitt inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame

Lleyton Hewitt (Carine06, Wikimedia Commons)

Two-time grand slam champion Lleyton Hewitt of Adelaide, Australia has been inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island, according to Chris Oddo of tennismajors.com on Thursday.  Hewitt is the only player in the 2021 class, as he will be joined by builders Billie Jean King, Peaches Bartkowicz, Rosie Caslas, Julie Heldman, Kristy Pigeon, Nancy Richey, Valerie Ziegenfuss, Judy Tegart Dalton, Kerry Melville Reid, and Dennis Van der Meer.

Hewitt won the 2001 United States Open and 2002 Wimbledon. In the 2001 U.S. Open Final, Hewitt defeated American Pete Sampras, 7-6, 6-1, 6-1. In the Wimbledon Final of 2002, Hewitt defeated Argentina’s David Nalbandian 6-1, 6-3, 6-2 in complete ease. In addition to winning two major titles, Hewitt won 28 other ATP finals. Two of the other titles were Masters 1000 Series events, as Hewitt won at Indian Wells twice.

Eight of Hewitt’s tournament wins were in Australia. He won the Sydney International four times, as well as the Adelaide International twice, the 2001 ATP Tour Finals in Sydney, and the 2014 Brisbane International. Hewitt’s last ATP title interestingly came at the 2014 Hall of Fame Open in Newport, where he beat Ivo Karlovic of Croatia in the final.

Hewitt was also number one in the world for 75 straight weeks. He held that position from November 19, 2001 to April 27, 2003.

The aforementioned women are being recognized for signing $1 contracts and forming their own tour in 1970. They were known as the Original 9, and are recognized for being trailblazers in professional women’s tennis.

Van der Meer of South Africa ironically coached Billie Jean King. He also coached South Africa’s Amanda Coetzer, and Australian Margaret Court.

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