Hewitt’s flirt with stunning switch from tennis to AFL
An epic Davis Cup win over Roger Federer in 2003 convinced Australian tennis great Lleyton Hewitt to not go ahead with a stunning career change.
Even after winning two grand slam titles, Australian champion Lleyton Hewitt’s first sporting love tempted him to make a stunning career change.
Hewitt has spoken about what happened in 2003 when he was “actually considering” an attempt to play AFL
While Port Adelaide coach and family friend Mark Williams ultimately could not lure Hewitt from tennis, the idea gave him pause for thought.
A famous Davis Cup win over Roger Federer that year convinced Hewitt to stay put. On Monday night, he was one of seven inductees into the Sport Australia Hall Of Fame.
Hewitt was born into Australian rules football. His father and uncle had solid football careers and when Adelaide joined the AFL in 1991, he was a big fan.
Lleyton Hewitt and wife Bec at the Sport Australia Hall of Fame dinner where Hewitt was inducted. Photo: AAP
You might like
“That was in my blood, that’s what I wanted to do as a young kid,” Hewitt said.
But he also showed major tennis potential as a teenager. His parents convinced him to make the “bloody tough” decision to focus on the international sport.
By 2003, he had been world No.1, as well as winning the US Open and Wimbledon in 2001-02.
After his 2003 Wimbledon title defence did not make it past the first round, and he lost the No.1 ranking, Hewitt contemplated what might come next.
Hewitt’s joy at his 2003 Davis Cup defeat of Roger Federer kept him playing tennis. Photo: AAP
Williams said a few years ago that Hewitt contacted him about potentially switching sports, but the tennis star says the Power coach made the approach.
Stay informed, daily
There was talk of Hewitt playing a pre-season game and potentially joining Port as a rookie-listed player.
Regardless, the idea eventually fizzled and Hewitt, a keen Adelaide supporter, did not have to consider joining the Crows’ fierce local-rivals.
“I grew up absolutely hating the Power, the Port Adelaide Magpies,” he said.
Roger Federer and Lleyton Hewitt met again in Australia at Davis Cup in 2011, with Federer winning. Photo: AAP
“But at the time, I was actually considering it.
“I didn’t love the contract and the money.
“He (Williams) ended up giving me a few weeks to think about it.”
The clincher was Hewitt rallying from from two sets down to beat Swiss great Federer in an epic 2003 Davis Cup semi-final. There would be no defection.
“It was one of my greatest victories and I called Choco (Williams) and said ‘no’,” Hewitt said.
—with AAP
