Melbourne Park buzzing ahead of what could be Hewitt’s final match

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  • Lleyton Hewitt.

    Roger Federer joked that he wouldn’t be able to find an empty seat in the stadium to watch Lleyton Hewitt play what could be the very last match of his career Tuesday night on Rod Laver Arena but the Swiss legend assured he would be following on TV.

    Melbourne Park is preparing for Hewitt’s retirement in every way possible with Tuesday christened C’mon day, in honour of the Aussie legend’s final tournament.

    Hewitt, who will hang up his racquet after this campaign Down Under after which he will immediately assume Davis Cup captaincy duties, is competing in his record 20th Australian Open and will face his compatriot James Duckworth in today’s evening session.

    “Lleyton made me figure out my game and made me definitely a better player, as well. I enjoyed the battles with him. I wish him well here,” said Federer, who has faced off with the Aussie 27 times throughout their careers.

    “I played him the first time when we were maybe 15 in Zurich at the World Youth Cup. We were supposed to play the juniors here, the doubles together, in ’98. He won Adelaide, that was the difference. He got a wild card in singles, doubles and mixed here in the pros. I played the juniors, lost in the semis in the singles and the doubles. We were supposed to play here in the juniors. He dumped me,” the Swiss added laughing. “He was a big shot after winning Adelaide.”

    “We actually played some doubles in Wimbledon as well, which was good fun. We always got along well. It was sometimes feisty on the court, but it was always respectful. I always admired his work ethic, his on-court fighting spirit, even though it annoyed me sometimes.”

    Tuesday will be Hewitt’s 50th appearance in singles on Rod Laver Arena at the Australian Open and fans can expect a welcome fitting for the former world No1 including a pre-match performance of ‘True Blue’ by iconic Aussie singer John Williamson, featuring video highlights from Hewitt’s career.

    All fans in the arena will be waving mini Australian flags, the stadium and walk of champions will be bathed in green and gold lights, fans can contribute to a Lleyton Hewitt farewell mosaic by tagging #HewBeauty, while an exclusive limited edition merchandise range is available at the Australian Open Flagship shop.

    The luck of the draw has pit Hewitt against a fellow Aussie in Duckworth, making the occasion even more bittersweet.

    “It’s awkward, but in another way it’s fun to go out there with Ducks. I’ve been helping him the last few years. He’s been part of the Davis Cup squad on a number of occasions. He’s a great kid,” said Hewitt, a two-time grand slam champion.”

    Hewitt had his whole family attend his pre-event press conference and struggled to describe how he felt ahead of what could be his farewell match.

    “To tell you the truth, I don’t know how it feels. A tad strange feeling, but I’m trying to soak it up as much as possible. I guess it’s different in the fact that if you do go out then, yes, it is the end. But you got to try to block that out as much as possible. You could go through all the same emotions again two days later, as well. That’s going to be the tough part to deal with,” said the 34-year-old.

    Young Aussie Nick Kyrgios, the No29 seed in Melbourne this fortnight, said he’ll try to be in the stands for the match and paid tribute to Hewitt, who has been serving as a mentor to him in recent years.

    Kyrgios said: “The memories I have of Lleyton that I remember are watching him on the sidelines of Davis Cup really. I remember me and Thanasi (Kokkinakis), we were watching him versus (Guillermo) Coria in Davis Cup. That was one of the funniest matches ever. He got so pumped and so amped. That’s why it’s one such a sad time, because one of the greatest competitors of all time is leaving our sport.”

    Duckworth,23, concedes it is “awkward” having to face Hewitt in his farewell tournament and says concentration may prove a challenge.

    On the idea of potentially ending Hewitt’s career, the 129th-ranked Duckworth said: “It’s not something that I’d like to do. But sort of been put in this position now. I guess if I win, I’ll apologize to him. But, yeah, I’m going to have to sort of put that out of my mind and go out there and try to play my game, give it my best shot.”

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