The Hopman Cup celebrated the new year in Perth with an invitation only black tie ball. Aussie Jarmilla Gajdosova looked beautiful in a Carla Zampatti gown. Lleyton Hewitt looked very dapper in a black suit as he escorted wife Bec to the ball, saying that he hoped in the new year their youngest child, Ava, would start sleeping through the night so they could get some sleep!
Photos are yet to appear so enjoy the video below
Posted in Bec Hewitt, Hopman Cup, Jarmila Gajdosova, Lleyton Hewitt
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There was a lot of hype leading up to the first round encounter between David Nalbandian and Lleyton Hewitt after their frosty history, which, according to Jim Courier, involves the two men not speaking to each other at all.
Hewitt came out firing and had three break point chances in the opening service game. Nalbandian’s big backhand temporarily kept him out of trouble. The Argentine lost some skin on his right hand he was broken by the Australian on his fourth chance to take a 3-2 lead which he then consolidated with a love service game, eventually taking the set 6-3.
Some terrific points took place as the tension increased, umpire Pascal Maria was told by Nalbandian that “this is tennis. Your feeling doesn’t matter,” when a point was contested. Hewitt then complained that the device that detects lets wasn’t working.
Nalbandian started pummeling his shots from the baseline, dictating play and controlling the momentum. After Nalbandian took the second set 6-4 he then broke Hewitt in the first game of the third set. Commentator Roger Rasheed said he saw Hewitt stretch his hip a few times as it became clear that Hewitt wasn’t moving as well as he had been.
Suddenly things changed.
Nalbandian, who was ahead 2-0, started hitting more errors as Hewitt accused Pascal Maria of being one of the worst umpires ever and got fired up. A huge cry of “C’mon!” rebounded around the stadium as Hewitt not only broke back and consolidated with a love service game, but then broke again for a 4-2 lead. Again Hewitt serve to hold to love.
Nalbandian looked deflated, exhausted and like a completely different player as the crowd booed after he flung his racquet into the ground and continued to play with it despite it being cracked. He defended two break points with a cracked racquet.
After winning six of the last seven games Hewitt took the third set 6-3.
Nalbandian continued to play flat tennis as Hewitt broke him again in the first game of the fourth set. Hewitt had more break points to go up 3-0 before he hurled more abuse at Pascal Maria over another dubious call after a challenge. The Argentine dodged a bullet an hung on, still behind at 1-2.
After defending a ridiculous number of break points over two games he then converted his first chance and got things back on serve at 3-3. The Argentine again converted on his next opportunity as he started to strike the ball again, and contribute to the match again rather than watching it being taken from him. After securing the double break, David served some tight balls and was broken, forcing Lleyton to keep the set alive for 5-5.
In the tie break some errors from Hewitt and some free hitting from the Argentine saw him race to a 6-0 lead.
Hewitt worked hard to defend some break points in the first game of the final set before Nalbandian started repeatedly flexing his right knee as the quality of the match once again dropped. Despite his apparent ailment Nalbandian managed to break Hewitt after he took some sort of tablet given to him by his coach which seemed to help him out as he moved to a 3-1 advantage.
At 4-3 Hewitt was clenching his fist telling himself “believe, believe,” as he tried to push Nalbandian to feel some pressure, instead pulling up once looking like he was in a little bit of pain. Hewitt then stepped up to serve at 5-3 to stay in the match as the clocked ticked just past four hours of play. Nalbandian had a crack at Hewitt’s first two serves and sent the ball into the net before an error off Hewitt’s racquet had his wife Bec looking worried.
Nalbandian again tightened as Hewitt tried to lift, desperate to get a chance.
It worked.
The crowd went wild as Hewitt broke on the first of two break points chance. Nalbandian re-focused and found himself again with two break point chances. Lleyton’s serves became predictable but he did was he does best and defended and took the 6-5 lead. The crowd went wild.
Nalbandian struggled to find first serves as Lleyton waited patiently, even as David saved the first match point with a serve and volley play with a beautiful drop shot. Hewitt pushed and Nalbandian came up with some incredible points and showed his cajones to Hewitt as he held serve for a 6-6 scoreline.
Nalbandian was frustrating by his returning leg problems which appeared to be cramps as well as a series of bad line calls that interrupted points he should have won. A slice backhand down the line passing shot gave him three break point chances and a double fault from Lleyton gave David the break. David had another magic tablet before he stepped up to serve for the match again.
Nalbandian won 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6, 9-7 striking the latest punch in their rivalry after defending two match points.
Posted in Australian Open, Bec Hewitt, David Nalbandian, Lleyton Hewitt, Match Report, Media
The wives and girlfriends of tennis players are a mixed bunch – some very glamorous and successful in their own rights, some beautiful and silent, and some an integral part of their mans life. So lets take a look at the most beautiful and influential women in the grand stands. Read more
Lleyton Hewitt has been on the receiving end of a fairly significant amount of criticism following his decision to release the name of his newborn daughter, Ava Sydney, via a ‘Text a Star’ service. It was argued that ‘real fans’ should be given the right to find out the name of the child before the general public and other media outlets. The Hewitt’s have, however, been criticized for using the service as a means to profits off their growing family. Read more
Posted in Bec Hewitt, Lleyton Hewitt, Media
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After first revealing the birth of his third child, another daughter, via SMS service Text A Star, they had also announced that they would inform fans first before media if they subscribed to the “service” at $2 per text. The service would then send out a text from Lleyton announcing the name of they’re daughter – Ava Sydney Hewitt.
Sydney media outlets has saved fans the hassle (and the $2): “We’ve finally decided on a name for Mia and Cruz’s baby sister, Ava Sydney Hewitt. We love being a little family of five. Thanks, Lleyton.”
It is unclear how much the Hewitt’s will make from each text.
I don’t know how other people feel but I find it a little odd that they Hewitt’s have strayed from the “normal” route of selling details of their child’s birth to OK! magazine, who have definitely boosted the Hewitt bank account over the years. Mind you I even find selling photos of you family to a magazine weird – but each to their own.
Posted in Bec Hewitt, Lleyton Hewitt, Media
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Lleyton and Bec Hewitt have announced that on October 19 they welcomed their third child, another daughter. Hewitt released a statement saying; “Bec, Mia, Cruz and I welcomed a beautiful baby girl into our family last Tuesday. Mum and baby are great! Dad, big sister and brother elated.”
The baby girl, who’s name has not yet been publicly announced, was born at the Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney. Until the name is release, the family’s website is calling her Baby Hewitt.
Posted in Bec Hewitt, Lleyton Hewitt, Media
Who are the most famous, or infamous, WAG’s in tennis? Read on and have your say.
Mirka Federer
At the top of the list has to be Roger Federer’s wife, and former player, Mirka Federer. Mirka and Roger met and started dating at the Sydney 2000 Olympic games. Mirka’s highest ranking was 76 with less than $300,000 in prize money, a measily amount compared to her husbands fortune, which exceeds $50 million in prize money alone. However, Mirka has long been acknowledged to be the force behind Federer, previously organising some of his media and public relations commitments, assisting him in practice and encouraging him to continue playing – even a few days after their wedding. Read more
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Australian gossip magazines reported seeing Bec Hewitt, wife of Lleyton Hewitt, sporting a small baby bump while she was out running errands. It turns out the rumours are true. Lleyton confirmed the news before the start of Roland Garros this week.
Bec had initially planned to wait until Lleyton retired before expanding their family, saying “We were thinking we’d wait until Lleyton retires because traveling with two is plenty. It’s a happy surprise though.“
Former coach Roger Rasheed doesn’t believe the addition to the family will affect Lleyton’s game or focus. “To win a grand slam is a hard thing to do. Lleyton has won two and been a finalist in a couple of others and been very close in a lot of other championships. He knows what it is about and he knows what to do. Having kids, it brings him a lot of joy actually. It is a great down time thing. Instead of just being in your hotel you can spend time with your family.”
Hewitt himself is excited about expanding his family. “It wasn’t fully planned, but it’s fantastic. We were always going to have a third at some stage so it was exciting news.”
The third Hewitt baby will join Mia, 4, and Cruz, 17 months.
Posted in Bec Hewitt, Lleyton Hewitt, Media
