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Left to right, Special Olympics Australia athletes Louise Godfrey, Brad Doust, Torren Bush, Hewitt, Jordan Hunter, Travis Zimbulis, Kelly Myers and Yolanda Berg (front) join Lleyton Hewitt, center, after his Hopman Cup match. [Photo courtesy Special Olympics Australia] |
Seven athletes from Special Olympics Western Australia were guests of Lleyton Hewitt at this year's $1-million Hyundai Hopman Cup international mixed teams tennis championship, which took place 3-10 January 2004 at Burswood Dome in Perth, Western Australia. Much to the delight of the Special Olympics athletes, Hewitt took time out of his busy schedule to meet and greet the group after a very long match (2 hours and 15 minutes, which he won in 3 sets) against Karol Kucera of the Slovak Republic. "Karol (Kucera) gave me an extremely tough match," said Hewitt. "I stayed aggressive the whole time — even when the pressure was on and, you know, I felt like I really tried to take it up a notch when I needed to."
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Hewitt travelled directly to Dublin from Wimbledon last summer so he could support the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games. At the David Lloyd Riverview Centre, Hewitt delighted athletes and spectators with a demonstration of his skills and trick shots. [Photo by Kyran O'Brien, IRELAND OUT] |
Even though the day had already been a long one for Hewitt, he allowed plenty of time so that the athletes could ask as many questions as they wished. Although all of the athletes are enthusiastic fans of tennis, they are avid ten pin bowlers, a sport Hewitt has just become interested in. He also autograph various keepsakes so the athletes could have a memento of their visit.
The 22-year-old Hewitt has partnered with Special Olympics to help double the number of athletes to 2 million by 2005, inspiring athletes everywhere. His role as a Global Ambassador for Special Olympics means he has been spreading the Special Olympics message of inclusion and acceptance beyond the borders of his home country, Australia, including China, Ireland and Canada. Throughout his travels, he works with Special Olympics athletes, holding clinics and meetings in which they not only develop their tennis skills but increase their self-confidence. Hewitt is also part of a public service campaign encouraging people to be a champion for Special Olympics by volunteering, coaching or supporting the movement
Special Olympics committee members accompanied the athletes during the event and noted, "It was a wonderful afternoon for Special Olympics Western Australia" and that they are "proud to have Hewitt as a global ambassador for Special Olympics."
"The athletes were truly delighted to meet the world champion. They enjoyed his presence and his sense of humour. Lleyton made the athletes feel very much at ease — so much so that they invited him to bowl with them next year if he comes back to the Hopman Cup!"
The Hopman Cup was named after the legendary Australian Davis Cup player and champion coach Harry Hopman, recognized as one of the game's outstanding coaches, guiding many of the Australia's best, such as Ken Rosewall, Rod Laver, Roy Emerson, and John Newcombe.
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