Lleyton Hewitt to take to centre court for good
SA tennis legend Lleyton Hewitt is likely to have centre court of the redeveloped Memorial Drive Tennis Centre named in his honour.
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SA tennis legend Lleyton Hewitt is likely to have the centre court of the redeveloped Memorial Drive Tennis Centre named in his honour.
The Advertiser understands the idea is being actively considered by management of Tennis SA and can reveal it is backed by the state government, which is funding the current $44m stage 2 redevelopment.
As crowds filed past the venue’s construction site for the Ashes Test Match on Sunday, Sports Minister Corey Wingard said the idea made “perfect sense”.
“Lleyton Hewitt is South Australia’s greatest ever tennis player and it would make perfect sense for the centre court at Memorial Drive Tennis courts to be named after him,’’ he said.
“I couldn’t think of a better way to honour him for everything he has done for tennis in our state.”
The idea also has the bipartisan backing of Opposition Leader Peter Malinauskas, if he wins the March 2022 state election.
“South Australia has a rich tennis history with a number of players including John Fitzgerald, Mark Woodforde, Adrian Quist and Alicia Molik all enjoying international success,’’ he said.
“Lleyton Hewitt is certainly worthy of recognition for our refurbished tennis arena.”
The Advertiser understands the overall complex name Memorial Drive Park, will be retained, untouchable as it was in 1921 originally named in honour of World War I Diggers.
It also took its name from the winding avenue – War Memorial Drive – which separates the venue from the River Torrens.
Hewitt is one of the highest achieving of Australia’s modern-era tennis players.
He stunned the world of tennis as a flamboyant and precocious teen, one of the youngest winners of an Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) tournament, when he won the 1998 Next Generation Adelaide International, defeating Jason Stoltenberg in the final, having defeated Andre Agassi in the semi-finals.
He was briefly ranked no. 1 in the world in 2001 and is the most recent Australian to win a men’s singles Grand Slam title.
Stage 1 of the redevelopment cost $11m, mainly for a new venue roof, and was completed in 2019.
Stage 2 will be completed in January 2022, and soon after two events will be held, one from January 2–9 featuring WTA 500 and ATP 250 tournaments, and another from January 9–15, also a WTA 500 and ATP 250 tournament.
The naming would continue a tradition interstate in which local champions are honoured. Brisbane has Pat Rafter Arena, Sydney Ken Rosewall Arena, and Melbourne has Rod Laver Arena as well as Margaret Court Arena.
This year is 20 years since Hewitt, 40, won the US Open and next year will be 20 years since he won Wimbledon.
No other South Australian has won as many Grand Slam titles and Davis Cup titles as Hewitt.
Tennis SA has been asked for comment.
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