Lleyton Hewitt works on tennis drills with fellow Australian, Special Olympics Australia athlete Kylie Scott at the David Lloyd Riverview tennis center in Dublin, Ireland. [Photo by Kyran O'Brien, IRELAND OUT]
Lleyton Hewitt congratulates Special Olympics President and CEO Timothy Shriver after a short match. [Photo by Kyran O'Brien, IRELAND OUT]
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Lleyton Hewitt’s championship form was on display on Saturday, 28 June, at the David Lloyd Riverview tennis venue when he scored a smash hit with a zealous crowd of athletes and fans at the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Dublin. Hewitt who’s racked up championships ever since he was 16 (at 15, he was the youngest player ever to qualify for the Australian Open) is a superstar in the sport of tennis and as Special Olympics athletes well know, the ultimate role model for the best moves in the game.
Special Olympics President and CEO Timothy Shriver introduced Hewitt. “It is an honor to welcome Lleyton Hewitt, a champion who still finds the time to make a statement on what matters in life and to reach out to another person who’s looking for a chance and celebrate the gifts of everyone who does their best.”
Hewitt took center court to wild applause. “Supporting Special Olympics is a way for me to work with young people in something I enjoy as well,” stated Hewitt. “I love sports, and I want to give something back to the game. If my name can help raise awareness for Special Olympics, that would be fantastic.”
Standing room was at a premium as Hewitt embarked on a unforgettable afternoon that included a “meet and greet” with athletes, a tennis clinic (part of the secret to a successful serve is the toss and the wrist snap) and an athlete question-and-answer session, where, when asked about training, said, “You have to train hard and be physically fit to move on the court for four or five hours straight.”
Hewitt and his coach, Roger Rasheed, took the court with athletes in a game that proved to be as exciting as a finals match, with athletes hitting the ball with timing and accuracy that kept Hewitt and Rasheed on their toes and spectators riveted to their seats.
“World Games, like major championships I play in, are the pinnacle of what you have been working hard for, to compete with the best athletes in the world,” said Hewitt. “It is the top of the mountain where it all comes together, and it’s the biggest dream you can have. The competition is a huge adrenaline rush with cameras and publicity, something athletes won’t forget for the rest of their lives.”
Hewitt has partnered with Special Olympics to help double the number of athletes to 2 million by 2005, inspiring athletes from Miami to Shanghai. As Hewitt travels the world, he continues to encourage Special Olympics athletes to develop their skills and be the best they can be.
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