Australia failed in the Davis Cup due to Austria and thus missed the leap into the world group. For Playing coach Lleyton Hewitt, this is probably the end of his career – mainly due to the new Davis Cup format.
“Mister 100%” – that’s what Australia’s Davis Cup captain Llyeton Hewitt likes to call. The Playing-Captain, who in the duel for the World Group against Austria was still in the doubles on the flat.
This victorious performance alongside John Peers was probably the last on the international stage. At least that’s what Hewitt buddy and ex-double partner Sam Groth suggests: “I don’t think Lleyton (Hewitt, editor’s note) will play under the new format again. It was probably just the right time for him to quit. I don’t think we’ll see him again.”
Hewitt was a public critic of the new Davis Cup reform and expressed his displeasure with the new format in the press. Starting next year, the Davis Cup will probably be staged in September. Home games, frenetic fan groups and the old format are completely omitted.
In 2016 Hewitt finished his individual career at the Australian Open in front of his home crowd and can look back on a successful career. The ex-number-one never stayed so far from the active tennis sport and competed alongside Groth in the double competition of different competitions.
Hewitt also assisted his buddy Groth at the end of his career and played the last double tournament with his compatriot before the final stroke. Rusty” now seems to finally face up to this as well.
Even at the age of 37, the fan favourite convinced in the doubles match against Oliver Marach and Jürgen Melzer with great physique and above all an irrepressible will to win. Again and again the striking “Come on!” echoed across the square and Hewitt carried his double partner into euphoria.