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LITTLE LLEYTON AND HEWITT FORM WINNING TEAM AT AUS OPEN
By Wayne Cousins, Melbourne
18/01/2011 7:59:53 AM
Tennis star Lleyton Hewitt will be able to draw on the inspiration of little Wests Tigers supporter Lleyton Giles when he steps out at the Australian Open tonight.
Little Lleyton, dubbed the ‘unofficial’ Wests Tigers mascot, is in Melbourne with his parents Belinda Hanson and Wes Giles as guests of Wests Tigers and Hewitt himself.
Hewitt first met little Lleyton at Concord in October when the former Wimbledon and US Open champion accepted an invitation from Wests Tigers to meet the courageous young boy.
A twin, the five-year-old was first named Connor upon being born but within an hour of his arrival and following a series of complications prompted Wes to change his son’s name to Lleyton as his son needed the same fighting spirit of Lleyton Hewitt. His other twin boy, originally named Lleyton, then became Connor.
Little Lleyton has since undergone more than 30 operations and faces more major surgery next month. Doctors advised his parents in mid-July that their son only had 12 to 18 months to live.
Wests Tigers has formed a very strong and close bond with the family since meeting them in August. The club presented the family at Christmas with seven memberships for season 2011.
Through the kind generosity of Wests Tigers CEO Stephen Humphreys and Hewitt and his manager David Drysdale, little Lleyton, Wes and Belinda arrived in Melbourne on Sunday before enjoying a fabulous time at the opening day of the Grand Slam tournament on Monday.
There, Glynn and Cherilyn Hewitt made Wes, Belinda and little Lleyton feel very welcome as they watched their son practice on an outside court under coach Tony Roche.
Following practice, the Hewitts and David Drysdale took little Lleyton, Wes and Belinda into the private Players Restaurant area where they were introduced to four time Australian Open champion Roger Federer.
“To be at the Australian Open and to be able to spend time with Lleyton Hewitt and his family and then meet Federer was just an unbelievable experience,’’ Wes said.
“Lleyton Hewitt is a champion person on and off the court. He has become really fond of my little boy and we are very humble and grateful for everything. This would not be at all possible without the support once again of Wests Tigers, CEO Stephen Humphreys, Lleyton Hewitt and his manager. We feel very honoured.”
Drysdale has arranged for Wes, Belinda and little Lleyton to be in Rod Laver Arena tonight to watch Lleyton Hewitt take on arch rival David Nalbandian in the opening round.
Wests Tigers wish Lleyton Hewitt all the very best for the Australian Open and thank him, his family and David Drysdale for their on-going support and friendship.
‘Come On’ Lleyton!!
By Wayne Cousins, Melbourne
18/01/2011 7:59:53 AM
Tennis star Lleyton Hewitt will be able to draw on the inspiration of little Wests Tigers supporter Lleyton Giles when he steps out at the Australian Open tonight.
Little Lleyton, dubbed the ‘unofficial’ Wests Tigers mascot, is in Melbourne with his parents Belinda Hanson and Wes Giles as guests of Wests Tigers and Hewitt himself.
Hewitt first met little Lleyton at Concord in October when the former Wimbledon and US Open champion accepted an invitation from Wests Tigers to meet the courageous young boy.
A twin, the five-year-old was first named Connor upon being born but within an hour of his arrival and following a series of complications prompted Wes to change his son’s name to Lleyton as his son needed the same fighting spirit of Lleyton Hewitt. His other twin boy, originally named Lleyton, then became Connor.
Little Lleyton has since undergone more than 30 operations and faces more major surgery next month. Doctors advised his parents in mid-July that their son only had 12 to 18 months to live.
Wests Tigers has formed a very strong and close bond with the family since meeting them in August. The club presented the family at Christmas with seven memberships for season 2011.
Through the kind generosity of Wests Tigers CEO Stephen Humphreys and Hewitt and his manager David Drysdale, little Lleyton, Wes and Belinda arrived in Melbourne on Sunday before enjoying a fabulous time at the opening day of the Grand Slam tournament on Monday.
There, Glynn and Cherilyn Hewitt made Wes, Belinda and little Lleyton feel very welcome as they watched their son practice on an outside court under coach Tony Roche.
Following practice, the Hewitts and David Drysdale took little Lleyton, Wes and Belinda into the private Players Restaurant area where they were introduced to four time Australian Open champion Roger Federer.
“To be at the Australian Open and to be able to spend time with Lleyton Hewitt and his family and then meet Federer was just an unbelievable experience,’’ Wes said.
“Lleyton Hewitt is a champion person on and off the court. He has become really fond of my little boy and we are very humble and grateful for everything. This would not be at all possible without the support once again of Wests Tigers, CEO Stephen Humphreys, Lleyton Hewitt and his manager. We feel very honoured.”
Drysdale has arranged for Wes, Belinda and little Lleyton to be in Rod Laver Arena tonight to watch Lleyton Hewitt take on arch rival David Nalbandian in the opening round.
Wests Tigers wish Lleyton Hewitt all the very best for the Australian Open and thank him, his family and David Drysdale for their on-going support and friendship.
‘Come On’ Lleyton!!
