Lleyton Hewitt AM (b. 1981) was ranked world number 1 at tennis for 80 weeks between 2001 and 2003, and retired with two Grand Slam titles and 30 career titles. His many victories include Wimbledon (2002) and the US Open (2001); and he was a member of Australia’s winning Davis Cup teams in 2003 and 1999. He won the Queen’s Club tournament in London four times. He was Most Popular South Australian in 2001, South Australian Young Australian of the Year in 2002, and Young Australian of the Year in 2003. Renowned as a fighter and a dogged self-motivator on court, he retained an enviable world tennis ranking despite contending with various injuries, and was still in the top 100 players worldwide in 2011 and again in 2013. He retired from the Grand Slam circuit in 2016, but has since made various comebacks and wildcard appearances.
Robin Sellick saw the young Hewitt playing in Adelaide and recognised his talent and ambition. He invited him to his home, an old North Adelaide mansion. Hewitt relaxed by hitting some balls at the photographer in the hallway. They went out onto the balcony, Sellick asked Hewitt to sit and look like he was thinking about how to win a game, and this shot was the result.
Gift of the artist 2004
© Robin Sellick
The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. Works of art from the collection are reproduced as per the
Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). The use of images of works from the collection may be restricted under the Act. Requests for a reproduction of a work of art can be made through a
Reproduction request. For further information please contact
NPG Copyright.
