Exclusive Sam Groth column: why I would rather be mates with Lleyton Hewitt than Bernard Tomic
It’s the most bitter feud in Australian tennis but while Bernard Tomic says no one likes Lleyton Hewitt, SAM GROTH begs to differ — launching a defence of the embattled Davis Cup captain.
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I remember watching Lleyton Hewitt play in grand slams when I was a junior — he isn’t much older than me but was already at the top of his game. He was so good so young, I idolised him from a young age.
And then one day I found myself training in South Australia and having a hit with him. It was the first time I met him. I remember the day really well but he probably doesn’t.
We were in Adelaide and it was about 42 degrees, boiling hot and I just remember that even though we were only practising he refused to take a break before I did.
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As the top player in Australia I think he wanted to make me realise he wouldn’t rest until I did. He was so competitive, all the time.
Even now when we play golf it’s the same. He used to hate giving me shots because my handicap was worse than his but now that mine is better he’s taking those shots back. Nothing gets past him.
We became good friends just after I made my debut for the Davis Cup. There’s not much of an age gap so we naturally hung out more. We had a lot in common.
Playing for our country was really important to us both.
But we are also passionate about the same things away from tennis; golf, footy and family. We have similar values.
Whenever we can we get together; him, Bec, me and my wife. We are friends away from tennis — in fact we rarely talk about it. There’s more to him than just sport.
Off court he is a cheeky bloke, likes to have a laugh and he’s not afraid to give you stick.
On court however, he is switched on, wants to win and get the best out of everything.
That the sort of guy he is; a competitor and so am I.
You have to be in this sport.
Tennis is a selfish game; you have to put yourself first. I don’t think anyone would deny that we play for ourselves on the tour not our country.
That’s what makes the Davis Cup so special but also such a tough environment to get right.
It’s not easy doing what Lleyton does. For not even two weeks of the year you’re bringing athletes that spend most of their time looking out for themselves into a team setting.
We all have egos in tennis and sometimes that doesn’t suit team ethos. It’s tough.
I think that’s been one of the biggest transitions for Lleyton the player to the person he is now. It would be for anyone.
You go from a very individual life to making the decisions that are in the best interest for a national team. And as we see many other sports, anything that involves selection brings with it politics.
He wouldn’t have had to worry about that in his playing days.
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In his role, Lleyton has become a very nurturing person — just look at the work he does with Alex de Minaur, John Millman and Jordan Thompson. He is looking out for so many people and not just when they’re doing well.
He’s on the sidelines watching people in qualifying and other events, people don’t see a lot of the work he does behind the scenes. He’s there to support them if they want him to be.
Some take him up on it others don’t.
A lot has been said this week about his relationship with Bernard Tomic.
What Lleyton has said this week, people needed to hear.
He did a lot for Bernie.
From what I saw, he was always welcomed in, always helped as much as possible.
Whatever happened behind closed doors is between them. But in a team environment the help was on offer.
Could Lleyton have done more for Bernie? No, I don’t think so.
Bernie is 26, by that age hopefully you have worked life out.
He had a go at Rafter back at Wimbledon one year and I think we get to a point where you have to say ‘come on stop blaming other people’.
I’m not saying what has happened this week doesn’t mean there aren’t questions to be asked.
But are the questions that need to be asked really about Lleyton and Bernie?
With any sport and other industries there should always be reviews, updating of plans and people looking at better ways to advance. This was happening at a Tennis Australia before anything happened this week.
It’s about improving your sport not personal vendettas.
I hope it blows over; it depends when people get the answer they want — or at least are happy with.
Lleyton laughs Bernie off. We don’t get together and talk about that kind of drama. If we play golf or go for lunch the last thing we want to discuss is Bernard Tomic.
We go out and have a laugh as mates.
I trust Lleyton and I would much rather hang out with him than Bernie. At least I know if I tell him something he isn’t going to go throw me under the bus later.
At the end of the day, Lleyton has never been anything other than a friend to me. I trust him. He’s a good bloke.
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Originally published as Exclusive Sam Groth column: why I would rather be mates with Lleyton Hewitt than Bernard Tomic
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