Hewitt's last hurrah

Yesterday, veteran Aussie player Lleyton Hewitt played his last professional tennis match when he was mauled by David Ferrer in straight sets in the second round of the Australian Open. He was fortunate to be able to leave on his own terms in front of his home crowd and it was perhaps fitting that Ferrer, a more aggressive version of Hewitt, was his last opponent.

(Hewitt) became the youngest male ever to claim the No 1 ranking, at the age of 20

For the past 10 years, the length of most professionals’ entire careers, it wouldn’t be unfair to characterise Hewitt's career as one of a journeyman. He dropped out of the top 10 for good in July 2006 and since September 2010 he hasn’t been able to rise above No 38 in the rankings. But it was what he achieved in the first 10 years of his remarkable 20 years on tour that he will be remembered for.

I still vividly remember the astonishing emergence of a young Hewitt when at the age of just 15 he claimed his first ATP tournament in Adelaide, defeating Andre Agassi in the semi-finals. In 2000, at the age of 19, he became the youngest man in the open era to win a Grand Slam title when he and Max Mirnyi claimed the US Open doubles championship. Later that year Hewitt became the youngest player in history to qualify for the year-end Tennis Masters Cup (now called the ATP World Tour Finals). In 2001 he became an international sensation when he claimed the US Open singles title by defeating the great Pete Sampras, a four-time champion at the time, in straight sets in the final. He went on to win the Tennis Masters Cup shortly after and in doing so became the youngest male ever to claim the No 1 ranking, at the age of 20. He held on to the top spot for a year and a half during which time he claimed the most coveted prize in tennis, the singles title at Wimbledon, a remarkable result given the event’s traditional domination by serve-and-volleyers.

Tributes have been flowing in for the Aussie battler whose passion for the game and never say die attitude have earned him respect from players and fans around the world. Roger Federer, who took over Hewitt’s domination of the top spot, spoke of being inspired by Hewitt’s rise in the rankings as a smaller player and credited him with “changing the game forever.” Rafael Nadal, the ultimate baseliner, also paid tribute to his fellow “grinder’s" influence saying, “his attitude on court, his mentality have been great and an inspiration for me.” High praise from a player whose name is synonymous with the phrase "mental toughness."

Hewitt’s playing career may be over but he will continue to be an asset for Australian tennis, having recently taken over the captaincy of Australia’s Davis Cup team. As Australia’s most decorated Davis Cup player, having been part of two winning teams, no one is more qualified for the job. And with a couple of hot-headed talents like Nick Kyrgios and Bernard Tomic under his charge, Hewitt, known for his feisty attitude as a youngster, may be just what the doctor ordered. Here’s to another 20 years in the game, Lleyton!