I’ve never understood the boo-boys attitude towards Lleyton Hewitt. You know the ones. The people who, while the rest of us are decked out in a green and gold flag with faces painted watching the little fighter on court, are sticking pins into the nearest voodoo doll with a backwards cap on.
They delight in his downfall and smile, as if proven right, when he is ousted in the first round of a grand slam. For those select people this week would’ve been a good one
Hewitt was knocked out in the first round of the US Open on Tuesday morning for the first time in his career.
The South Australian born base-line brawler took Frenchman Paul Henri-Mathieu to five sets, but in reality was never in the match. Mathieu is a 28-year-old, 185cm veteran of the tour who is currently ranked 109th in the world, yet he monstered Hewitt at Flushing Meadows.
Whenever Hewitt’s name is mentioned in conversations these days, it’s usually accompanied by “well he used to be good”. But where’s the respect?
The guy is a two-time major champion with 28 singles titles to his name. He was the youngest ever player to qualify for the Australian Open at just 15 years and 11 months and held the number one ranking in the world for 75 straight weeks. All of this we seem to forget far too easily.
What we should realise, is that Hewitt has battled injury for the better part of the last five years, but still won one title every year during that period.
In 2010, he was beaten by Roger Federer in the round of 16 at the Australian Open, ran into a red hot Rafael Nadal in the round of 32 at Roland Garros, beat Federer in the final at Halle and bowed out in the round of 16 after losing to Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon.
His exit at the US Open came on the back of a limited preparation and was largely inevitable.
How anyone can classify that as a failure is beyond me.
His downfall is that he doesn’t play enough events during the year and can’t pick up enough ranking points. This leaves him facing early match-ups against players ranked inside the top-five in the world.
His former coach Roger Rasheed said this week, that this situation is likely to only get worse. His wife, Bec, is carrying the couples third child and Hewitt traditionally scales back his workload when a new bundle arrives. So he should. You can’t criticise him for that, although some will.
Rasheed predicts we’ll only see Hewitt play two to three tournaments outside of the majors over the next 12-months. So you can boo if you like, after all it’s your right to do so.
But before you do, think about what the man has actually achieved, and see if you can find it within you to squeeze out a “c’mon!!!!”.
You can follow luke on twitter @luke_doherty and on Sky News Australia
Liz
Guest
Austrailians good at humility - You have got a good sense of humour thats obvious and your soooo humble ha ha ha
PastHisBest
Roar Guru
LH is a goose of the highest order and I cringe because at times he reminds me of the worst traits we have as human beings.
K-Man
Guest
Agreed BigAl!! Whenever people mention Hewitt as a 'two-time Grand Slam champion', I always remember that he shares that honor with 28 other people. I also believe that in order to mark your place in tennis history you have to be able to defend your own Grand Slam title (be a back-to-back titleholder). Hewitt never did that. At least Pat Rafter (remember him?!) did that at the US Open.
Umberto Visani
Guest
I think Lleyton is not only a great player but also a great man: his commitment to Davis Cup no matter if his body was not ok is a clear sign of how he takes everything seriously and, most of all, of how loyal he is towards his nation. His mental attitude, his positive aggressiveness on court are aspects that do inspire me a lot and I think he is a very good example for young generations. Moreover, I don't think he has to retire: he still wants to win and, should his body stay injury free, I am sure he can lift some major trophies in the next three years: he is a fighter and has the attitude of a champion, he could fight on one single leg because of that and shall retire only if he will be forced to.
Chris K
Guest
As a wiseman once said, "We like it when he wins because he's australian, and we like it when he loses because he is a nob".
Liz
Guest
You dont know how lucky you are to have him. He is a wonderful player and he gives Austrailia the greatest of respect as shown by his continued support of Davis Cup. He would have won more tournaments if he hadn't been playing Davis. Federer never plays Davis and lots of the others dont. Nadel is one of the few and his knees are now paying the price. Be ver proud of Hewitt and stop WIhinging about one of the best things in Austrailia. If he is good enough for Ken Roswall, John Newcombe and Tony Roache who all love him whats your problem?
BennO
Guest
yeah, we're so humble, we're the best at humility. Just ask us.
BennO
Guest
Or maybe he peaked just after the rise of himself!
BigAl
Guest
True, but he was lucky to have peaked in a relative 'doldrums' period of World tennis . . . - just after the decline of Sampras, and just before the rise of Federer. Still, it's true that successful people ( & sportsmen) . . . 'make their own luck' !
Scotty
Guest
He has 2 major titles and nobody can take that away from him. Some other players never win one in their whole career.
anopinion
Guest
Hewitt is obviously talented. He always gives his best and plays with enthusiasm. These qualities are a good representation of how Aussies feel about ourselves. He fails however to show other qualities that fit our national identity. Qualities such as humilty. Thus many Australians would sooner cringe than cheer when he carries on.
Whiteline
Guest
I think Hewitt has matured enormously in recent years. Let's not forget he has only ever played tennis.... Whilst he has carried himself in a more respectful manner in recent years it could be argued that Roger has gone the other way - especially in the past few years as HE knows that Nadal has him covered.
ty
Guest
all ways love u lleyton
Jammy
Guest
I have plenty of respect for his tennis ability and fighting qualities on the court. Absolutely zero respect for his carry on, selfishness, childishness and disrespect for his fellow players. The latter is what he will be remembered for.
sheek
Guest
Luke, C'monnnn..... Respect is a two-way street, he hasn't always shown respect for others so what you sow is what you reap.
gurudoright
Guest
Just because Lleyton doesn't act like Roger Federer doesn't mean he should not have our respect. When you got players in this professional era pulling out of representing their country, Lleyton is always there putting Australia first in the Davis Cup even if it is better to rest due to niggling injuries. I'm sure he has even got the record for most single's wins for an Australian in the Davis Cup. Sure his behaviour has been questionable in the past but I think that is his competitive nature. As for Jimmy Connors calling Lleyton a punk, I got two words - pot, kettle
Mark Young
Guest
I'll get us started... He is a brat, hasn't grown up, carries on like a pork chop and when he runs around ranting and raving in green and gold, I cringe knowing that some people think he represents me as an Australian.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Jimmy Connors thought Leyton Hewitt was a punk, who won once through luck and a weak field. Leyton Hewitt then won a second time at Flushing Meadows. I don't like the way he plays, and I don't like the way he acts. But he's brave, and he can hit, and before age got to him, he could get to balls he had no right to get to. There's tennis players I like better, but I respect Leyton Hewitt.