My wife and I were there in the stadium for this incredible match and example of true sportsmanship shown by Lleyton Hewitt to Andy. Two fierce "never give up" competitors in full flight. What isn't fully shown in this video is how Lleyton reacted when Andy rolled over his ankle in the middle of the third set at one set each. When the injury was replayed for the crowd on the stadium's big screen everyone collectively gasped and whinced at the pain Andy obviously had to endure. It must have made an impression on Lleyton as well. After an injury delay as Andy struggled to put any weight on his injured ankle during his serve, Lleyton simply pushed the tennis ball directly back to Andy multiple times with no pace, as one might in a warmup drill. This allowed Andy to try and walk off his ankle injury. In tremendous pain, Andy tried to get back into the match, but ultimately had to retire, apologizing to Lleyton at the net, who comforted his competitor, speaking to him at length. So impressed by Lleyton's display of sportsmanship in a match that was tied and could have gone either way, the entire crowd, along with my wife and I, gave Lleyton Hewitt a long, long standing ovation and also to Andy for making every effort possible to continue the match. I was never so proud of the game of tennis as played by true sportsman as I was on that day in 2001 at Roland Garros.
My wife and I were there in the stadium for this incredible match and example of true sportsmanship shown by Lleyton Hewitt to Andy. Two fierce "never give up" competitors in full flight. What isn't fully shown in this video is how Lleyton reacted when Andy rolled over his ankle in the middle of the third set at one set each. When the injury was replayed for the crowd on the stadium's big screen everyone collectively gasped and whinced at the pain Andy obviously had to endure. It must have made an impression on Lleyton as well.
After an injury delay as Andy struggled to put any weight on his injured ankle during his serve, Lleyton simply pushed the tennis ball directly back to Andy multiple times with no pace, as one might in a warmup drill. This allowed Andy to try and walk off his ankle injury. In tremendous pain, Andy tried to get back into the match, but ultimately had to retire, apologizing to Lleyton at the net, who comforted his competitor, speaking to him at length. So impressed by Lleyton's display of sportsmanship in a match that was tied and could have gone either way, the entire crowd, along with my wife and I, gave Lleyton Hewitt a long, long standing ovation and also to Andy for making every effort possible to continue the match.
I was never so proud of the game of tennis as played by true sportsman as I was on that day in 2001 at Roland Garros.
Wow thanks for sharing that!!
Who was the other guy in Andy's camp with Patrick McEnroe?
Tarik Benhabiles, his coach back then.