Tennis: Hewitt's moment of history
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Lleyton Hewitt became the lowest-ranked player to win an ATP tournament when he beat Jason Stoltenberg in the final of the Australian men's hardcourt championship in Adelaide yesterday.
"I don't think I will be going back to school this year," said the Australian teenager, who refused to be overawed by the more experienced Stoltenberg, a semi-finalist at Wimbledon in 1996.
The 16-year-old rookie, who was playing in only his second ATP Tour event, won 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 to send his world ranking up from 550 to around 200.
He also accounted for the former world No 1, Andre Agassi, in the semi- finals, on his way to beating the record of Senegal's Yahiya Doumbia, who was ranked 453 when he overcame Todd Martin as the lowest ranked player to win an ATP event in Lyon in 1988.
At 16 years and 11 months old, Hewitt is also the youngest player to win an ATP event since Michael Chang, now world No 3, won in San Francisco in 1988 aged 16 years seven months.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments