Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and more recorded a special goodbye to Lleyton Hewitt in Melbourne. Check it out!
Rafa to Lleyton:
I’ve always had something special with you. You are a big inspiration for my tennis and my mentality… and I think your love and passion for this sport is a great inspiration for this generation.
Thank you very much for all the things that you did for our sport and especially thank you for your passion on court.
All the best for the future and we hope to see you around.
Here are some photos of Rafa and Lleyton:
Lleyton Hewitt and Rafael Nadal after their exhibition match at The Hurlingham Club in West London.
MONTREAL – AUGUST 07: Lleyton Hewitt of Australia and Rafael Nadal of Spain (R) laugh together between games Philip Bester and Pierre-Ludovic Duclos of Canada during the Coupe Rogers August 7, 2007 at Stade Uniprix in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
MONTREAL – AUGUST 07: Lleyton Hewitt of Australia and Rafael Nadal of Spain (R) laugh together between games Philip Bester and Pierre-Ludovic Duclos of Canada during the Coupe Rogers August 7, 2007 at Stade Uniprix in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
MONTREAL – AUGUST 07: Lleyton Hewitt of Australia and Rafael Nadal of Spain (R) celebrate match point against Philip Bester and Pierre-Ludovic Duclos of Canada during the Coupe Rogers August 7, 2007 at Stade Uniprix in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
MONTREAL – AUGUST 07: Lleyton Hewitt of Australia and Rafael Nadal of Spain (R) celebrate match point against Philip Bester and Pierre-Ludovic Duclos of Canada during the Coupe Rogers August 7, 2007 at Stade Uniprix in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
MONTREAL – AUGUST 07: Philip Bester and Pierre-Ludovic Duclos of Canada congratulate Rafael Nadal of Spain and Lleyton Hewitt of Australia during the Coupe Rogers August 7, 2007 at Stade Uniprix in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Video: Australian Open, Photos: Getty Images, Reuters, AP, Fanpop.com
Rafael & Layton Aww What a Great Champions <3 <3 🙂 🙂
What Lovely Photos of Lleyton and Rafa together . he will be missed , Rafa,s words were lovely too . Goodbye Lleyton All the Best for the future
Great point by Elaine. Becker made big improvements to Novak’s forehand drive, slice backhand, net game and 2nd serve. 2015 was the best year of his entire career. With no end in sight. He’s got a really good shot at winning the Golden Slam this year – i.e. – winning all 4 slams and the Olympics. If he accomplishes that, he’ll be the undisputed ‘GOAT’. He deserves it. He’s a total professional who puts everything he’s got into the game, never settling for 2nd, 3rd or 4th best. He’s 100% committed to being the best player he can possibly be. No excuses. No retreat. No surrender. I wish it was Rafa. But it’s not. He doesn’t have the fire in his belly anymore. Novak took it – and sure looks like he intends to keep it.
Frankly, I am not mildly interested in the Serb, I loathe his arrogance and peevish behaviour . Great player but will never be in the same league as Rafael Nadal . Let us trust that Rafael will iron out the issues with his game . He has nothing to prove but it would be lovely to see him winning top tournaments again. I think he will.
All the best Leyton we surely miss you, you are such an inspiration all over the world. Bless you and your beautiful family and much success in the future! We’ll see you around Mate!
I always felt that Rafael and Leyton showed similar passion on court, they played doubles together and had fun and a bit of mischief. While Leyton has retired from the ATP tour he will not be lost to tennis. Wishing him and his family all the best
Rafael please ad a new coach as Djokovic did with Becker you have a great net game and need to attack behind your powerful ground strokes Djokovic did not come to the net before Becker even Federer headedness coaches
All the best, Lleyton! Great words by Rafa.