Even for his detractors, it’s hard to argue against the fact that Lleyton Hewitt has heart and he is a stayer. I love the bloke. Always have and always will.
After a number of years of consistent injuries and numerous surgeries, 2013 has been something of a strong year for ‘Rocky’, as he is affectionately known. This has continued in the recent US Open at Flushing Meadows in New York, where he has reached the fourth round.
If he goes on to defeat Mikhail Youzhny, he will more than likely set up a quarter final against world number one, Novak Djokovic. It will be a just reward for the battle-hardened South Australian.
One easily forgets this bloke won the 2001 US Open. He won the 2002 Wimbledon title as well.
The world (both tennis and beyond) is a different place. Had there not been blokes called Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal (who will go down as two of the greatest ever), who knows how many he may have won.
My point is, Australia has been trying to retire this bloke for years now and I’ve found it infuriating.
He’s still got it. More to the point – he’s still got ticker.
Which brings me to the issue at hand…
Bernard Tomic. I don’t care how much talent he’s got, he has repeatedly shown himself to be a petulant and spoilt brat with an over-inflated opinion of himself.
I’ve heard people argue he is a product of his upbringing and while it might be easy to see that point of view when a bloke like John Tomic exists in the world, if Bernie wants to be taken seriously, he has to escape the clutches of his father and develop his own brand as a man.
This US Open saw another early exit, losing a match he arguably should’ve won against a much lower-ranked opponent.
The horrible thing is that this kid has all the talent in the world, but seems to lack ticker.
One career title and a 66-64 career win/loss record is nothing to write home about. Beyond one quarter-final appearance at Wimbledon, his career to-date is pretty lacklustre.
The fourth round at the Australian Open and second round exits at Roland Garros and the US Open is hardly banging down the door of the world’s best players, nor going to get him in the top 20 by the end of a calendar year – which, if I remember correctly, he stated could happen in 2013.
(Now, if he is to turn this around in the future you will no doubt see a retraction and an apology. Please Bernie, please, prove me wrong.)
The history of Australian tennis has been made through names like Harry Hopman, Ken Rosewall, Tony Roche, Roy Emerson, Rod Laver, Hewitt (to name a few) and it deserves better than this display.
The investment from Tennis Australia and the average punter deserves a better return.
But let’s forget for a moment the continued disappointment that is Bernard Tomic’s career, and revel in the beauty that is Lleyton Hewitt’s revival.
C’mon!
Whether it’s aces or races, try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp for great odds and a great punting experience. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
Rafael Nadal has hailed the brilliance of Alex de Minaur, calling him "a great player" after the Australian forced the Spanish legend to say…
The clay season promises to be one of high level and tight margins. With the Monte Carlo open just around the corner, it will…
In incredible scenes, defending champion Carlos Alcaraz's quarter-final clash with Alexander Zverev at Indian Wells was halted abruptly due to a "bee invasion." Less…
Marathon man Jordan Thompson has finally clinched his first ATP Tour title, with the Australian upsetting Norwegian Casper Ruud to lift the trophy in…
Alex de Minaur has earned the perfect 25th birthday present, booking a place in the final of the Rotterdam Open with an emphatic revenge…
While watching the recent Australian Tennis Open I became obsessively fixated on the same thought. Why has no one done a television biopic or…
