He’s had a stellar career spanning more than a decade and should be regarded as one Australia’s greatest ever sportsmen, yet Lleyton Hewitt isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, and there is no shortage of Australians that will be happy to see the back of him.
So why is it that Hewitt grates so much on the Australian public?
Don’t get me wrong – when the 30-year-old South Australian steps onto Rod Laver Arena tonight for his fourth-round matchup with Novak Djokovic, he’ll do so to rapturous applause from a sold-out crowd and a captivated audience watching on television.
But as his decorated career reaches its twilight, it is fair to say that Lleyton will never be remembered with the same adulation as the US Open winner that came before him, the darling of the Australian public, Pat Rafter.
There are plenty of Australian sports fans who will grit their teeth and curse at the very mention of Hewitt’s name, and we all know a Lleyton hater or two. Maybe you are one yourself.
You know the type. They “just hate Lleyton Hewitt”, and quite often they’ll spit forth a stream of vitriol about how he is “too old and pathetic” and “should just give it up”.
It is school of thought that I’ve found increasingly disagreeable, and when I question a ‘hater’, they often fail to back up their initial tirade with any form of solid reasoning.
So let’s examine whether or not Lleyton does in fact warrant such a scathingly harsh reception.
Lleyton burst onto our television screens as a precociously talented teenage tennis prodigy in the late ’90s, and from his brash, immatures beginnings, has never been shy of dishing out a verbal lashing, be it to an umpire, linesman or errant journalist.
If there is anyone who befits the cliche ‘wears his heart on his sleeve’, it is Lleyton, and I’ll put my hand up and admit that I cringe when I see his “C’mon!” off an opponent’s unforced error.
But outwardly displaying passion in the heat of the contest is hardly a crime and if we look back on his career, I’d argue that hating on Lleyton is that nasty word that the AHA throws at us so much these days: un-Australian.
Lleyton blossomed from a talented teen into a genuine superstar in 2001, when he wiped World No. 1 Yevgeny Kafelnikov and then five-time US Open champion Pete Sampras off the court in the semi and final respectively to claim his first grand slam title.
He became World No. 1 himself at the end of the year after also reaching the quarter-finals of the French Open and a year later, became Wimbledon champion – something Pat Rafter was never able to acheive – after sweeping aside David Nalbandian in straight sets.
In 2003 he led Australia to Davis Cup glory after recording epic five-set wins over Roger Federer in the semi-final, and then Juan Carlos Ferrero to seal the trophy for Australia. The Davis Cup win was another feat that evaded Rafter.
But since 2003 Lleyton has become an afterthought in the world of men’s tennis, as the gigantic shadows of Federer, Rafael Nadal and now Djokovic have dwarfed that of Hewitt, despite him reaching the 2005 Australian Open final, which he lost to Marat Safin.
In a world dominated by the power of Nadal and the grace of Federer, there has been little room for Hewitt to get anywhere near a third grand slam title.
And here is where the hating of Lleyton becomes un-Australian.
He’s not blessed with a booming serve or a sweeping forehand, but what has enabled Lleyton to keep competing at major tournaments are the very characteristics that we routinely label as ‘Australian’.
Season after season Lleyton has punished his body running for balls he had no right to return, displaying an unwavering tenacity to compete against younger, more talented opponents, and fighting all the way until the final point, even in defeat.
He came into this year’s Australian Open off the back off a meek first-round exit from the Sydney International after surrendering in three sets to Victor Troicki, and it looked like it would be a short stay at Melbourne Park.
There was no reason for Lleyton to turn up; with nearly US$20m in prizemoney and countless of millions more in endorsements, money is in no way shape or form the motivating factor.
With the likes of Djokovic, Federer and Nadal in the field, Hewitt was the slimmest of slim chances of even getting near the final.
It is the desire that continues to burn deep within Hewitt, long after critics say he should be retired.
He was able to grind out a four-sets victory against unheralded German Cedrik-Marcel Stebe, before getting a slice of fortune when second-round opponent Andy Roddick was crippled with a hamstring injury.
But he had absolutely no right to oust big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic on Saturday night, and yet Hewitt was able to wind back the effects of Father Time and utterly dominate after losing the first set.
There won’t be a fairytale finish; he faces Novak Djokovic tonight and he’ll have done extremely well to even take a set from the Serbian superstar.
Yet he is there, and he competes. And instead of lampooning him for it, we should be lauding him.
Chrissie
Guest
Nick Kyrgios's bad on court behaviour has nothing to do with where his parents came from. He needs to grow up and stop having a go at umpires. Keeping his foul mouth shut wouldn't hurt either.
Thomas
Guest
i guess tennis should be an emotionless sport, robotic. And telling someone that you hope they lose doesn't make you a better person. Actually, it makes you worse. You just want to dictate how players should act to fit your boundaries. Since you want him to lose, it's only equal that should never hear a word from you again Linda.
Thomas
Guest
The worst no1 in the world? Even though he was no1 for 80 weeks. 2 GS singles titles, 2 masters cups, twice year end world no1 (01, 02). What about Pat Rafter? He was world no1 for 1 week only.
Linda
Guest
I know partents who will not let their children watch Hewitt play as they are aware he is a very poor role model. He encapsulates everything overseas people regard as typically Australians. I and the rest of Australia resent that international image. When he loses, it is not because the other player is better but because his hip, or his often referred big toe, is sore. I will not watch him and every time he plays, I hope he loses.
Aaron
Guest
I've only been watching tennis since January 2005 (the year Lleyton Hewitt made it to the finals of the Australian Open) and all I've seen is his decline. I don't remember him when he was No. 1, but I do know that he wouldn't have been as talented/consistent as Federer, Djokovic or Nadal. Instead, he will be forever compared to/cast aside as a rival of Andy Roddick, another player with quite a big mouth. Hewitt, when he was No. 3 (when I saw him) was living in Federer's shadow, playing five set matches against players that, at that point, shouldn't have troubled him. Surprisingly, after beating David Nalbandian (who I expected would beat Lleyton) he got past Andy Roddick. Ever since the 2006 Australian Open (where Lleyton Hewitt fell from No. 4 in the world to No. 6, then No. 11) I've always decided against watching his matches, always knowing he wouldn't be playing his best tennis/losing to no-names. Several friends of mine detest Lleyton, but I can't find it in me to actually hate the guy. I just think he's a has-been and will go down as one of the worst No. 1 players in the world.
dylan
Guest
Its easy, he is a bad sport. he treats his opponents and everyone around the court with no respect. if you cant win or lose with dignity, a lot of us wont give you the time of day. Personally I cant stand watching him play because of the Come on rubbish, and also I get a cringe not only from him but also his fans barracking for someone like him. Haha yep i really don't like him.
Reece Jordan
Roar Pro
The thing that makes me like Lleyton is how fun it is to watch him play. With his spirit, you always have at least a sliver of hope that he'll miraculously prevail again, and especially now there's no such thing as a 'certain win' for him anymore. I don't care for his behavior off-court though, but he's grown up lately and seems like a real family man, which is nice.
amazonfan
Guest
I completely agree! Great post. :D
amazonfan
Guest
"They have both accomplished far more in life than you ever will sitting on the forums, Mr Runner Up with no major tennis tournaments titles to your name." They have also both accomplished far more in life than you ever will sitting on the forums, Miss Runner Up with no major tennis tournaments titles to your name, and if you can compliment them, I can criticize them. You can't have it both ways, even if you want to. If you can make positive comments about them, I can make negative comments. It's called discussion. "Nor have I heard your name nominated as ' Australian of the Year ' lol." The same for you. When have you been nominated? Whether you like it or not, if you can state your opinion, I can state mine. Furthermore, one does not need to be a professional tennis player to have an opinion on professional tennis players, just as one does not need to be a politician to have an opinion on politicians. By your logic, not only would we have to get rid of The Roar (since almost none of us are professional sportspeople), but we would also have to get rid of democracy (how can non-politicians have an opinion on politicians and therefore vote for or against them?) "The bottom line is if Serena & Hewitt were Angels they would be in heaven & that would disappoint far more people than an occasional indiscretion on their part." I don't want them to be angels, I simply do not like them as people. Especially Serena. What is so wrong with that? Or must everybody have the same opinion as you? "Not to mention we are all guilty of an indiscretion or two, if we were to be honest." I doubt I would ever act the same way as them (especially Serena). However if I did, and I was a professional tennis player, then people can write an article like this. The bottom line is that you don't like my opinions. That's fine, however don't hypocritically pretend that you have more of a right to your opinion than I have to my opinion.
amazonfan
Guest
"So what do you watch the tennis for ‘Amazonfan’ the game or opportunity to make moral judgments & comparisons on player’s personalities & behavioural responses to pressure?" No, however this is a thread in a sporting forum in which we are discussing what we think of a particular sportsperson. "Regardless, it is impossible for Serena or Hewitt to be referred to by any stretch of the imagination as ‘ an absolute disgrace’ when they are both Champion tennis players." I don't how impossible it is, considering I did it. Anyway, while I don't like Serena as a person, I was exaggerating. "Maybe you mean that their behaviour on occasions is not to your liking? Well guess what, who cares!" I can say the same about your views: Well guess what, who cares! I will, however, point out three things: Firstly, this is an opinion forum, so I have the right to state my views. I have as much right as you do in fact. Secondly, if you didn't care, you wouldn't respond. Thirdly, that you resort to such immaturity not only indicates you're unable to have an adult discussion, but you have no 'case' to speak of.
Mitch
Guest
Never give up? He walked onto centre court Wimbledon to play Boris Becker with his tail between his legs, he was unavailable to play Davis Cup because of an injury, but managed to play a tournament that was on at the same time, again Davis Cup, this time against Serbia, yet another mystery illness, "I feel sick, you'll have to send somebody else out there to play Novak Djokovic."
Mitch
Guest
Ask Matts Wilander, he's the one that started that, Hewitt just copied it.
Mitch
Guest
Tall poppy is an urban myth, Pat Rafter won two the US OPEN twice, I can't remember anybody trying to cut him down, Mick Doohan was a great champion, I can't remember anybody trying to cut him down, I could name many others. The difference between guys like this and Hewitt is, they were modest in victory and gracious in defeat, no bull.... about playing through pain. had a sore tummy, my big toe was hurting. And lets not forget Davis Cup, his name is on one when they beat France in France 3-2 Mark Phillipousus won both his rubbers, the Woodies won their rubber and that leaves two rubbers that France won, his excuse for loosing one of those wasn't because the other guy played better than him it was because "We'd already won, it was hard to get into the match" is this the same guy who's always telling us he's out there to win every time he steps on the court.
amazonfan
Roar Guru
Coming from you, that's a compliment. I find it interesting that you accuse me of having a 'mediocre' mind, when everything I said went over your head! Of course you won't respond past my first line; if you did so you would have to aknowledge that you have absolutely no 'case' to speak of, not to mention you didn't even understand my first line! You are proving yet again why people 'hate' Hewitt and his supporters! Oh, and instead of accusing others of having a 'mediocre' mind, you should work on your own mind!
Lisa Fan
Roar Rookie
Excellent comment & a pleasure to read. Thank-you
Lisa Fan
Roar Rookie
Lisa Fan Reply: I rest my case, there is absolutely no need for me to respond past your first line. Quote: Why does it matter what we have achieved in our lives. Unquote. You have indeed confirmed I am talking to a mediocre mind lol. Good day!
Scott p
Guest
Apart from the classy comments about the linesman and James blake in the us open and lack of humility i don't know maybe we could pay to have him text us the answer like he did with his baby's name. A winner on all fronts show me the money
Lisa Fan
Roar Rookie
So what do you watch the tennis for ‘Amazonfan’ the game or opportunity to make moral judgments & comparisons on player’s personalities & behavioural responses to pressure? Regardless, it is impossible for Serena or Hewitt to be referred to by any stretch of the imagination as ‘ an absolute disgrace’ when they are both Champion tennis players. Maybe you mean that their behaviour on occasions is not to your liking? Well guess what, who cares! They have both accomplished far more in life than you ever will sitting on the forums, Mr Runner Up with no major tennis tournaments titles to your name. Nor have I heard your name nominated as ' Australian of the Year ' lol. The bottom line is if Serena & Hewitt were Angels they would be in heaven & that would disappoint far more people than an occasional indiscretion on their part. Not to mention we are all guilty of an indiscretion or two, if we were to be honest.
amazonfan
Guest
Why does it matter what we have achieved in our lives (although I would dispute that anyone of us actually hate Hewitt, seeing as we don't know him and he's just a tennis player.) If you can love him, then others can 'hate' him. 'accepted the fact that your mediocre minds will always, keep you standing in the shadow of Hewitt’s greatness….. game, set & match.' With that attitude, you actually wonder why people 'hate' Hewitt? The arrogance of that, and the idea that those who dislike Hewitt have mediocre minds? No wonder many of us 'hate' Hewitt and his supporters. 'Go back to playing your Wii ‘ Hewitt Haters ‘ lol. …Bloody Sunday player’s' Putting aside that how often one plays tennis, if at all, is completely irrelevant (I don't drive however I have every right to criticize certain Formula One drivers), and puting aside the hypocricy that you aren't a professional tennis player yourself (if you can have a positive opinion, others can have a negative opinion), this is exactly why so many people dislike Hewitt and his supporters.
amazonfan
Guest
I don't think it's a good thing to be compared to Serena. She's probably one of the five best players ever, but she is also an absolute disgrace.