This article was first published on the International Tennis Hall of Fame website here

Australia's Lleyton Hewitt received the ultimate honour in tennis on Saturday as he was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in front of a crowd of family, friends, fans, and well-wishers.

An inductee from the Class of 2021, Hewitt’s induction celebrations were deferred to 2022 due to travel restrictions. But, the Wimbledon champion, US Open champion, and two-time Davis Cup champion got his moment in Newport, Rhode Island over the weekend on the famed International Tennis Hall of Fame grounds.

Known for his tenacity and never-say-never attitude on the court, the fiery competitor won 616 matches over the course of his 18-year career, most notably a pair of Grand Slam singles finals - the 2001 US Open and 2002 Wimbledon.

“The Hall of Fame seemed like something that was so far away from me,” commented Hewitt. “It was never something I ever thought about as a player, and it was always I thought for the people that were my idols growing up and the absolute legends of the sport.

"It's been an unbelievable experience for me, the whole build-up the last couple of years, but especially this weekend. I think it's so fitting for me to be inducted here in Newport at such a special place.”

The youngest player to ascend to the ATP Tour’s world No. 1 ranking (age 20), the Australian icon also won two ATP Tour year-end singles championships and played on victorious Australian Davis Cup teams in 1999 and 2003.

Over the years fellow international tennis greats have shared widespread praise and accolades on Hewitt’s career and contribution to the sport. So much so, that even British tennis star Andy Murray named his dog “Rusty” – Hewitt’s popular nickname - to honour one of his favourite players.

Two men integral to the launch of Lleyton’s career – John Newcombe and Tony Roche, Captain and Coach respectively for the 1990s Australian Davis Cup team - shared their memories of the first time they met and picked the young Aussie 15 years of age to be a squad member:

From the very beginning Hewitt’s vibrant personality – on and off the court – was what grabbed Tony Roche’s attention instantly.

“I remember the first meeting I had with Lleyton was at a charity event in Adelaide," said Roche. "He must have been about 12 or 13, and I was very impressed with his game, even at that early age. But I was more impressed with his mullet haircut, really. All the Adelaide kids seemed to have these great mullet haircuts. But yeah, Lleyton, you could tell was going to be something special.”

Newcombe reminisced on times where Hewitt would gain inspiration and drive to battle on during his matches:

“In 2000, we played the finals against Spain and Lleyton on day one had to play Albert Costa and it was an unbelievable match," Newcombe remembered. "It was a war out there. And Lleyton finally led 5-4 in the fifth set, serving. Came around, got down love-40 on his serve and went to the back of the court and was yelling at the ground. And everybody wanted to know why is he yelling at the ground? And what he was doing was he loved the Rocky movies. Rocky was his hero and he used to put himself into that other person. So, he was yelling at the ground, ‘Come on, Rocky. Get up, Balboa. Fight, fight, come on Rock’. And he came out and won five straight points in a row. Unbelievable effort.”

Newcombe added: “And we're proud, Lleyton, to have known you and to be able to spend some time with you. It was an honour for us.”

The impact of Hewitt’s playing style and the tenacious spirit he brought to the sport of tennis will be part of tennis and sports history for years to come beyond his permanent enshrinement in the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

Nothing meant more to Hewitt than representing Australia and proudly donning the green and gold. Even in retirement, he kept on with his commitment to further strengthen Australia’s tennis legacy when he became the country’s seventh Davis Cup captain in 2016. Since then, he’s instilled his Davis Cup experience under the guidance of Newcombe and Roche to usher in a new, exciting generation of Australian powerhouses to take on the tennis world by storm.

“There was something special about that competition for me. Tennis is such an individual sport for so many months of the year, and I think that's why Davis Cup was so important to me. It was my way of playing AFL football but in the sport of tennis.

"Standing side by side with your teammates, your captain, your coach, and knowing that you're going into battle for something more important than just yourself.”

And last, but most certainly not least, Lleyton closed out his induction speech noting he would not be where he is today without the incredible dedication, love, and support of his family – parents, Glynn and Cherilyn, his sister, Jaslyn, and his children, Mia, Cruz, and Ava, and of course, his wife Bec.

“It was such a special time and I loved traveling as a little family around the world and being on that adventure together. I'm so fortunate to have you, Bec,” said Hewett, recognising his family’s efforts during his playing career. “You are the most hands-on mum ever and the best wife and have always supported me with everything. I'm so proud of the three kids and how they've grown up, and so much of that is due to you.

“To Mia, Cruz and Ava, thanks for being here today, guys. I know it hasn't been easy to work out all the logistics to be here with all your activities around the world, but it means the absolute world to me. The most special thing about this weekend is being able to spend it with you guys. So, thank you.”