Lleyton Hewitt to lead star-studded lineup for AO Legends Cup

Some notable names will represent Australia as they will take on the team World in the new AO Legends Cup. The exhibition event will be held from January 21 to 24, and six players will represent their respective sides. The competition will feature singles, doubles, doubles and mixed doubles events.

The home team will feature some of the big names of the past, including the likes of the former world number one Lleyton Hewitt and Pat Rafter. The likes of Mark Philippoussis, Sam Stosur, Alicia Molik and Casey Dellacqua will accompany them.

On the other hand, the World team will consist of the likes of Germany’s Tommy Haas, America’s James Blake, Cypriot’s Marcos Baghdatis, Czech Republic’s Daniela Hantuchova, Germany’s Andrea Petkovic and Croatia’s Iva Majoli.

Out of all the players, Australia’s Hewitt and Rafter are the only players who won multiple Grand Slams. Hewitt won the US Open title in 2001 after beating former world number one America’s Pete Sampras in the final in straight sets with a score of 7-6, 6-1, 6-1. His second and last major title in professional tennis came in 2022, where he lifted the Wimbledon title after beating Argentina’s David Nalbandian in the final in straight sets with a score of 6-1, 6-3, 6-2.

On the other hand, Rafter lifted the US Open in 1997 and 1998. He first defeated Britain’s Greg Rusedski in the final with a score of 6-3, 6-2, 4-6, 7-5. Next year, Rafter defeated Philippoussis, who will be his partner in the upcoming AO Legends Cup, in the final at Wimbledon 6–3, 3–6, 6–2, 6–1 to lift his second and last major title in professional tennis.