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Legislative Council - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2016-04-13 Daily Xml
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Hewitt, Mr Lleyton

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (15:44): I do not think I ever have given rise to the issue in this chamber of the achievements of a particular sportsperson, but this person has brought such pride to South Australia as a whole that I believe his achievements in the sport of tennis are worthy of recognition by this place. Of course, I speak about Lleyton Hewitt. I rise today to congratulate Lleyton Hewitt AM on his outstanding career in tennis and his service to the community and to our country and for the great source of pride he has been to many South Australians.

For the few who are not aware, Lleyton Hewitt was born in South Australia and introduced to tennis in his early years by his parents, Glynn and Cherilyn Hewitt. Hewitt's professional tennis career also began at a young age, qualifying for the 1997 Australian Open as just a 15 year old, and becoming the youngest person ever to qualify for the tournament. A year later, as a low-ranked newcomer, Hewitt upset the great Andre Agassi right here in Adelaide to claim his first Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) singles title, becoming the third youngest player to do so.

Hewitt would go on to break many other records, of course. In 2000, he became the youngest player ever to win a grand slam title. A year later, at the age of 20, Hewitt became the youngest ever world number one in the history of tennis, an achievement which has not been surpassed to this day. In the same year, Hewitt defeated a legend of the game, Peter Sampras—some say the greatest ever tennis player—on Sampras's home turf to claim the US Open.

Following on from his maiden grand slam singles title, Hewitt went on to win the prestigious Wimbledon tournament in 2002 and a significant number of other titles, of course, throughout his outstanding career. Hewitt not only inspired the nation but he was also a source of inspiration for his peers and was universally admired. The great champion Roger Federer attributes part of his success to Hewitt, stating, 'Lleyton was such a great player at such a young age, he made me become the tennis player I am today.'

Adding to his long list of accolades, Hewitt was most recently awarded an Order of Australia for his services to tennis and the community. Hewitt is without doubt a very worthy recipient of this prestigious award as he always represents the nation with pride, twice representing Australia in the Olympics. Hewitt is also the longest serving and most successful Davis Cup player in Australian history, winning 58 of the 78 singles and doubles matches he played for Australia in Davis Cup. In a recent interview, Hewitt said:

Wherever I've played around the world, every time I step on the court, I've done so as a proud Australian. Representing Australia in Davis Cup and the Olympics has been the highlight of my career.

Hewitt is not only a champion of the court but he is also an outstanding member of the community. He is an active supporter of children's charities and supports Cure Our Kids, an Australian charity that helps children with cancer. He and his wife, Bec, have hosted charity auctions to raise much needed funds for this organisation and others.

Hewitt is also an ambassador for Charity Day with Apia International Sydney, partnering with fellow notable players and Australian celebrities to raise money for The Children's Hospital at Westmead. Evidently, Hewitt will be remembered not only for his achievements on the tennis court but he is also leaving a lasting legacy in the community. Speaking about his legacy, his achievements are arguably amongst the greatest South Australian sporting achievements ever. He is truly one of the great sporting champions ever to come out of this state.

All in all, Hewitt has won 30 singles titles, and that began right here in South Australia at Memorial Drive. Fittingly, he played his last professional tennis match at the Australian Open as a singles player earlier this year. Lleyton Hewitt will certainly be remembered as one of our state's greatest ever sportsmen, if not the greatest ever sportsman. I congratulate him and Family First congratulate him, as I am sure everyone does in this chamber, on a truly outstanding career.

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