Lleyton Hewitt Granted Wildcard At US Open

Written by: Global Chick on 18th August 2011

Lleyton Hewitt Granted Wildcard At US Open

Lleyton Hewitt of Australia plays Robin Soderling of Sweden during their second round match for the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, in London, Britain, 23 July 2011. EPA/NEIL MUNNS |

Former champion Lleyton Hewitt has been granted a wildcard into the main draw of the upcoming US Open.

The 30-year-old Hewitt won the 2001 US Open and 2002 Wimbledon titles but is ranked 165th after a series of injuries.

“I’m really looking forward to New York. It’s 10 years on since I won there and I’ve still got the passion and hunger which is great,” Hewitt said.

Tennis Australia Head of Professional Tennis Todd Woodbridge said Hewitt was fully deserving of a spot in the main draw.

“Lleyton has achieved some of his best results in New York and it is ten years since his victory,” Woodbridge said.

“He’s had a tough run with injuries over the past few months but his fighting spirit is undiminished and we are very pleased to be able to grant him a wildcard into the US Open.”

The Australian was among seven players, including Robby Ginepri, Ryan Harrison and Donald Young, to be awarded entry into the event later this month.

The US Tennis Association said that the eighth berth would be given to the winner of an eight-player tournament this week.

Steve Johnson, Jack Sock and Julien Benneteau also received wild cards.

A reciprocal agreement between the US Tennis Association and Tennis Australia allows the latter to select two Australian players for the US Open, which starts at Flushing Meadow on 29 August.

The women’s wildcard recipient will be announced this week.