Hewitt hailed for Cup fight
BRITISH hero Andy Murray has led the tributes for Lleyton Hewitt after ending the baseline warrior’s Davis Cup career in Glasgow.
Murray’s three victories in Great Britain’s 3-2 triumph at the Emirates Arena denied Hewitt the chance to bow out in ultimate fashion with a fifth final appearance in the team event the South Australian so covets.
In the end, Murray, with brother Jamie, had the honour of being Hewitt’s last Davis Cup combatant in Britain’s 3-6 6-3 6-4 6-7 (6-8) 6-4 doubles win over the former world No.1 and Sam Groth.
“It’s a shame that he’s retiring but I’ve spoken to him a lot over the past couple of years, and practised with him a lot, and he’s definitely got everything out of his body,” Murray said after clinching the semi-final.
“(He’s had) a number of surgeries and various issues and still always given his best when he’s played the Davis Cup.
“He’s got an incredible attitude, he fights so hard in every match and yesterday was a very good example of that, how well he played considering how little tennis he has played in the last 18 months.
“He was still returning incredibly well. He has a great record too.”
Australian
captain
Wally Masur hailed Hewitt as an inspiration.
“What do you say about Lleyton? It’s always been there to see. He’s put everything out on the court and it was no different yesterday,” Masur said.
“The very first point I saw him play was as a junior at the US Open. He hasn’t changed a bit since then. He’s full of enthusiasm. He’s like electricity.”
Hewitt, who will formally retire after the Australian Open in January, farewells Davis Cup as Australia’s longest-serving and most prolific singles winner in the competition. The 34-year-old has racked up 42 singles victories in a record 40 ties for Australia since debuting in 1999.