Lleyton Hewitt’s Final Wimbledon Reflected His Fighting Spirit

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at Internationaled.org

Published: June 29, 2015

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Lleyton Hewitt's final match at Wimbledon epitomized his spirit and career: gritty, gutsy and feisty.

The two-time Grand Slam champion lost to Jarkko Nieminen, another veteran playing in his final Wimbledon. Hewitt, 34 and Nieminen, 33, announced earlier this year that this would be their last Wimbledon appearances.

Finland's finest defeated Hewitt, 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-0, 11-9. The match lasted four hours. It was the second-longest match in Hewitt's career, as well as Nieminen's first win over Hewitt.

Throughout the match, fans were treated to vintage Hewitt, as the Aussie launched his body across the grass, unwilling to cede any point.

During a post-match press conference, Hewitt spoke to BBC Sport about his never-say-die attitude: "That pretty much sums up my career. ... I'm fortunate that I have a lot of self-motivation to go out there and get the most out of myself, whether it's in the gym or behind the scenes."

Hewitt began his career at age 15 and became the youngest ever No. 1-ranked player at 20 years and eight months old.

Like in his career, Hewitt got off to a quick start. He won the first set 6-3. He hit four aces, no double faults and landed 75 percent of his first serves. But similar to his career, the quick start would give way to a long battle, filled with highs and lows, and plenty of fight.

With the exception of a few crows' feet around the eyes, Hewitt looks the same as he did when he won his only Wimbledon title in 2002.

Since Hewitt won Wimbledon in 2002, only four men—Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray—have won the title at the All England Club.

Winning Wimbledon earned Hewitt membership in the All England Club, something he cherishes. After the match, Hewitt told reporters and ATP staff how much Wimbledon meant to him:

Even yesterday I just went and sat in the stands of Centre Court, just soa...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Tennis

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