Biography of Lleyton Hewitt

Lleyton Glynn Hewitt (born 24 February 1981) is a professional tennis player, and a former World No. 1 ranked player, from Australia. In 2000, Hewitt had won ATP titles on all three major surfaces (hard, clay and grass) and reached one final on carpet. By 2001, he became the youngest male ever to be ranked number one, at the age of 20.

His career achievements include winning the 2000 US Open men's doubles, the 2001 US Open and 2002 Wimbledon men's singles, and back-to-back Tennis Masters Cup titles (2001 and 2002). In 2005, TENNIS Magazine put Hewitt in 34th place on its list of the 40 greatest tennis players since 1965. Hewitt is known for his competitiveness and has won most of his matches with fitness, consistency and skilled footwork.

Playing Style
Hewitt is a defensive baseline counterpuncher. He typically likes to stay back towards the baseline during a rally and will usually approach the net only to catch a short reply or drop shot from his opponent. At the 2004 Cincinnati Masters Final, commentator MaliVai Washington said that Hewitt was even more difficult to "ace" than Agassi because he gets more returns in play. Hewitt's tactics typically involve putting difficult service returns in play, consistently chasing down attempted winning shots from his opponent, and waiting for his opponent to make an error.

Although he is known primarily as a baseline defender, Hewitt is a skilled volleyer and is known for having one of the best overhead smashes in the game. His signature shot, however, is the offensive topspin lob, a shot that he executes efficiently off both wings when his opponent approaches the net. US Davis Cup captain Patrick McEnroe and Jim Courier have both described Hewitt's lob as being the best in the world. In Andre Agassi's book "Open", Hewitt is described as one of the best shot selectors in the history of Men's Tennis.

Equipment
Hewitt is currently sponsored by the Japanese sports manufacterer Yonex, with whom he signed a "Head to Toe" deal in late 2005. Yonex provides all of Hewitt's clothing, racquets, shoes and accessories. Hewitt's Yonex shoes (SHT-306) are inscribed with his nickname "Rusty" along with an image of an Australian flag.

As of 7 August 2007, his first appearance with a new racquet at the Montreal Masters, Hewitt used to use the Yonex RQiS 1 Tour. He used to use the Yonex RDS tour 90 Model, but switched to the Yonex RDiS 100 mid in 2009.

Yonex RDiS 100 Mid

Offering a crisp response from all areas of the court, this player's racquet rewards those with solid technique. Those with the ability to utilize the mass of this racquet will find excellent plough through from the baseline. Our playtesters found lots of bite from the stringbed and a very crisp feel. Spin production comes easily and our testers were finding lots of hop on topspin shots and plenty of bite on slice shots.

At net the racquet feels very crisp and clean providing lots of feedback for touch and placement shots. The stiff frame result in a high level of stability and lots of pop from the sweetspot of the racquet. Best suited to advance players.

Head Size:93 sq. in. / 600 sq. cm.

Length: 27 inches / 69 cm

Strung Weight: 12.1oz / 343g

Balance: 8pts Head Light

Composition: High Modulus Graphite / Elastic Titanium / CS Carbon Nanotube

Power Level: Low

Swing Speed: Fast

String Tension: 50-65 pounds

Player Using This Racquet : Lleyton Hewit

Lleyton Hewit lost in 1st Round to Paul-Henri Mathieu

NEW YORK (AP)—Lleyton Hewitt, the 2001 U.S. Open champion, lost in the first round Monday to aggressive-playing Paul-Henri Mathieu of France in five sets. Mathieu beat the 32nd-seeded Australian 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 4-6, 6-1. Mathieu had 72 winners and 65 unforced errors.

Mathieu, ranked 109th, was 4-8 at Flushing Meadows before Monday. After Hewitt rallied from two sets down, Mathieu promptly broke his serve twice to go up 3-0 in the fifth set. Mathieu broke him again on Hewitt’s 12th double-fault of the match to clinch the upset. Hewitt had never lost in the first round at the U.S. Open.

(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Lleyton Hewitt is Getting Ready for the US Open 2010

ATLANTA, Georgia: Lleyton Hewitt is back in his comfort zone this week as third seed at the ATP Atlanta Tennis Championships, with six weeks of hard court tennis to go before the US Open.

“I’m quite comfortable on the hard courts,” said the former number one. “I don’t think it’s too early to start. I’ll take next week and one more off before the Open (which begins August 30).

The 29-year-old Australian is seeded behind Americans Andy Roddick and John Isner. Atlanta returned to the ATP calendar this season after a nine-year absence in the wake of a financial deal with the bankrupt Indianapolis event.

The Australian, now based with his family just a flight away in the Bahamas, is keen to put the confidence he gained from a title victory on grass last month in Halle, Germany – where he beat Roger Federer – to work during the gruelling cement season.

“Winning Halle gave me a lot of confidence, especially after beating Roger on grass in a final,” said the Aussie. “The top players like him all tend to play their best at the business end of a tournament.”

Number 30 Hewitt’s last match was the Wimbledon fourth round, where he lost to Novak Djokovic.

“But it’s once again business as usual,” he wrote. “I’ve been training in the heat for the last week and preparing for the American swing towards the US Open.”

Hewitt is planning a full Grand Slam buildup, with his August schedule comprising tournaments in Washington, Toronto, and Cincinnati and then a week off prior to the Open. “I’m hoping for a good run, I’ve got a lot of matches under my belt right now.”