THE AUSSIE WARRIOR LLEYTON HEWITT BY CHRISTOPHER CHAFFEE

Written by: Staff on 7th July 2014

THE AUSSIE WARRIOR LLEYTON HEWITT BY CHRISTOPHER CHAFFEE

epa04277230 Lleyton Hewitt of Australia takes on Michal Przysiezny of Poland in their first round match during the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, in London, Britain, 24 June 2014. EPA/FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA |

Editors note : We pulled this from the Wimby vault for a repost because it’s a great piece. Written by a true fan of the man who has inspired so many with his grit. Chris and twin Justin spent the day @ Newport. They enjoyed watching ” Rusty ” practice. They drove almost 5 hours to catch that and saw a few matches. And they love the Hall of Fame museum. Bravo. I’m inspired to go hit against the wall.

It is not the size of a man but the size of his heart that matters.

Evander Holyfield

The first time I saw Austrailian’s Lleyton Hewitt was during the 2000 US Open semi-finals where he played the great Pete Sampras. It was the ultimate underdog versus the great champion match up. Sampras had been proudly wearing the mantle of American tennis and was already seen as one of the greatest players of all time. Where Sampras was large and powerful, the teenage Hewitt carried a smaller frame, but was tenacious, and scrappy, with an intense fire in his eyes, that would become a trademark of his. As the match started, I watched mesmerized, with my eyes glued to the TV that Saturday. Although, Sampras defeated Hewitt in three tight close sets. Hewitt left everything on the court. He fought hard, and took Sampras’s legs out, leaving Sampras with depleted energy for the final. In Hewitt, we saw that he had a tremendous amount of respect for Sampras, but he wasn’t intimated by him. The match against Sampras served as a springboard for Hewitt, who went on to do extraordinary things: Hewitt is the youngest player to be ranked No. 1 in the world in singles, at the age of 20. He won the 2001 US Open and 2002 Wimbledon, and won back-to-back Tennis Masters Cups in 2001 and 2002. He holds a career record of over 600 wins and 29 singles titles, and is one of the best players in Davis Cup Australian history.

Another aspect of Hewitt’s appeal is that he plays with all heart. He is the Rocky Balboa of the tennis tour, and has had a tremendous impact on my life. Whatever our passion is in life, we need inspiring people to guide us along the way, and help us discovery the greatness within ourselves. Being a competitive tennis player and coach, I wake up with a purpose, to give my best on and off the court. I’ve utilized this mindset growing up going through high school onto college, and beyond in my life. In this way, Hewitt has taught me to keep fighting and give 110% percent in life. As much as Hewitt’s is a legend on court, the way he conducts himself off court should not be over looked. Unfortunately, we live In a time where many athletics play for money, are in trouble with the law, or cheating with steroids, Hewitt’s self discipline is old school, and a breath of fresh air. After undergoing numerous surgeries, one of which includes metal rods in his toes, and a hall of fame career some may wonder why Hewitt has hung on this long? The answer is simple and selfless. Hewitt plays for the love of the game. He is also a family man, and lets his kids watch him practice, and play matches, because he wants his kids to have one of the most valuable lessons in life, the memory of seeing their father never giving up and playing with passion in his heart.

Although just a slight guy, Hewitt has tremendous speed and is extremely consistent like a wall. He doesn’t have the strength of Rafael Nadal, the skill of Roger Federer, the flexibility of Novak Djovovic, or the finesse of Andy Murray. He has something else. Something more special and remarkable. He has a champion’s heart. He finds the strength to fight, the will to endure. You can’t teach that. It is something one is born with. You can discover it, like I did. But, that is Hewitt’s weapon. It is his iron will. It isn’t his serve, it is his burning fire inside from within, that is his weapon. The most powerful weapon on earth is the fire of the human soul. That is what a champion’s heart is made of.

Lleyton Hewitt.

Hewitt has beaten the worlds best tennis players. He has wins over Andre Agassi, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Andy Roddick, and Pete Sampras just to name a few. Lleyton is a legend by the way he conducts himself on the court, in the gym, and in his life. Just like all great legendary heroes they eventually ride off into the sunset. That sad day when he walks away from the game he will sure be doing it with his trademark c’mon and a fist pumping vicht. Whatever he decides to pursue in his future, he will give it his all. Hewitt will always be remembered as a man fueled with a burning desire to pursue and conquer his hopes and dreams. He will have no regrets. He will be known as a well respected legend. Lleyton has not only left a footprint in the tennis world, but he has left a footprint my life. He is my hero, my idol, and has inspired me and motivated me. I have learned to never give up and to always have hope. I have learned to keep rising, and to keep trying, and to keep picking yourself. He has made me find greatness within myself, and made be believe that anything is possible through perseverance. If you have a chance to watch a Hewitt match, watch it. You’ll see the heart of a lion battling for every point on the court. A mental strong positive warrior who can battle all day. Off the court you will see a dedicated father, husband, family man, who has lived a clean life. You will be inspired. Lleyton Hewitt, thanks for the memories, thank you for the motivation and inspiration.

Topics: Andy Roddick, Christopher Chaffee, Lleyton Hewitt, Novak Djokovic, Pete Sampras, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Tennis, Tennis News, Wimbledon