At 30 years of age, Lleyton Hewitt has a career full of highs and lows. The former number one player in the world and two time Grand Slam winner (US Open 2001, and Wimbledon 2002) had the skill and opportunity to go down as one of the greatest tennis players to play the game. However, as every athlete knows, no matter how much skill you have there is only one thing that can slow you down; your body. The Aussie has had a career filled with injuries from a nagging foot, ankle, leg, wrist to groin, and hip injuries, just to name a few throughout his career. The one thing that Hewitt has always loved, is his Australia’s roots, being the first to put his hand up to represent his country for the Davis Cup and always being determined to be healthy enough to help host the Australia Open and do his country well. This year that was almost in doubt even up to a couple months ago, Hewitt himself did not know if he would be able to play tennis ever again. However, the determination and perseverance that Hewitt is renowned for came through once more as he battled back from injuries and entered the tournament as a Wild Card seed. This year marks the record setting 16th straight time Hewitt has played in the Australian Open. Hewitt has continued to battle in the tournament, getting through two top 20 players Andy Roddick and Milos Roanic and is on his way to the fourth round to face the present world number one Novak Djokovic who has not lost a set all tournament. Novak will push Lleyton to his limits, and it will take all the grit and passion that the Aussie has to find a way to beat the world number one.
Win or lose, Hewitt has set an example that we should all try to emanate whether it is in sports or in life. Throughout all the injuries and the constant surgeries, he never once gave up. He is still there fighting for every point, not willing to give up that extra inch. His motivation is unbelievable; even though his body has been beaten and broken, he will not surrender. If this does turn out to be Hewitt’s last Australian Open, he has given us all a lasting example of just how much heart he has.
Elsewhere in the Australia Open men’s number 1, 2, 3 and 4. Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Andy Murray have all had a pedestrian first three rounds and have not lost a set. Once again, nobody will be surprised if they meet each other in the Semi-Finals.
On the women’s side, world number one Caroline Wozniacki has not had a problem all tournament and is looking to win her first Grand Slam. However, for that to happen she will need to get though the 5th ranked Li Na, or the 11th ranked Kim Clijsters , and potentially 3rd ranked Victoria Azarenka, both who are on her side of the draw and have looked dominant so far. On the other side of the draw, there is a very juicy quarterfinals matchup that could happen between Serena Williams and the fourth ranked Maria Sharapova, both of whom have not even broke a sweat in their first three round matchups.
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Written by: Omar Khamissa - @Omarbha135
