By Daniel Cherny
Set against the recent off-court dramas of Bernard Tomic and Nick Kyrgios, Lleyton Hewitt's performance in the weekend's Davis Cup tie against Kazakhstan in Darwin was remarkable. The 34-year-old with the fused foot, not expected to play singles, was tossed into the Northern Territory heat, combining with Sam Groth to keep Australia alive in the doubles rubber on Saturday after what had been a horror 36 hours for tennis in this country. He then stepped into the breach left by an ailing Kyrgios to clinch the tie in the decisive fifth rubber on Sunday afternoon. It was uplifting, and added to the Hewitt legend. Here are five wins that have shaped the man known as 'Rusty.'
2001 Davis Cup quarter-final v Gustavo Kuerten
Hewitt celebrates on Sunday.Credit: Getty Images
Gustavo Kuerten was world No. 1, trying to keep Brazil alive in his hometown of Florianopolis. Brazillian sporting crowds are not known for their hospitality towards visiting players, and for the 20-year-old Hewitt, this loomed as one of his toughest ever assignment. No matter for the rising Hewitt, with the teenager providing a portent of things to come. He overpowered Kuerten on clay - in straight sets no less - forging Australia's path towards an eventual defeat to Spain in the final.
2001 US Open final v Pete Sampras
Hewitt is overjoyed after toppling Kuerten.Credit: AP
Two days before the 9/11 attacks changed the city - and the western world - Hewitt broke through in New York to defeat then all-time Grand Slam singles championship record-holder Pete Sampras at Flushing Meadows and win his first grand slam final. Hewitt's pace was too much for the veteran American. By the end of the year, Hewitt had soared to become the World No. 1.
2002 Wimbledon final v David Nalbandian
Australia has just one Wimbledon singles title in the past 28 years. It came in 2002, a year in which many seeds fell unexpectedly, Hewitt held firm, eventually meeting the hitherto largely unknown Argentine David Nalbandian. Australians were able to set aside the defeats of Pat Rafter in the previous two year's finals, Hewitt easily accounted for Nalbandian - with whom he would later have a testy relationship.
2003 Davis Cup semi-final v Roger Federer
If the cap fits: Hewitt the US Open championCredit: Alll Sport
By this point Hewitt had relinquished his mantle as the world's best player. A young Swiss called Roger Federer had brushed past Mark Philippoussis in the Wimbledon final and was swiftly establishing a fierce reputation. Down two sets in the deciding rubber of the Davis Cup semi-final, Hewitt summoned his deepest reserves to claw his way back into the contest, and eventually account for Federer. Less than three months later, again on Rod Laver Arena, Hewitt joined teammates in holding the Davis Cup aloft.
2008 Australian Open third round v Marcos Baghdatis
Hewitt is exhausted after beating Baghdatis in 2008.Credit: Sebastian Costanzo
By 2008, Hewitt was no longer a dominant force in men's tennis, - in truth he hasn't challenged for major titles since 2005. But he still had knack of thrilling the masses. In the wee hours of the morning, those in which Tomic generally thrives, Hewitt and flamboyant Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis entered centre court at Melbourne Park, playing out an enthralling third round encounter. At the end of the match, Hewitt and Baghdatis, both barely believing they were still playing a Grand Slam match at such an absurd hour, embraced mid-court after playing out an epic. A five-set Hewitt victory was completed at 4:33AM.