Lleyton Hewitt's Davis Cup win over Rodger Federer saw off AFL switch
Lleyton Hewitt has Australian Rules football in his blood. (AAP Image: Tom Miletic)
In short:
Lleyton Hewitt said he was considering changing sports to have a crack at the AFL in 2003.
Hewitt's father, Glynn, and uncle Darryl both played Aussie Rules in the SANFL and VFL.
Two-time grand slam champion Hewitt was announced as one of seven inductees into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.
Even after winning two grand slam titles, Lleyton Hewitt's first sporting love tempted the tennis great to make a stunning career change.
Hewitt has spoken about what happened in 2003 when he was "actually considering" an attempt to play AFL.
While Port Adelaide coach and family friend Mark Williams ultimately could not lure him from tennis, the idea gave Hewitt pause for thought.
A famous Davis Cup win over Roger Federer that year convinced Hewitt to stay put. On Monday night, he was one of seven inductees into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.
Hewitt was born into Australian Rules. His father and uncle had solid football careers and when Adelaide joined the AFL in 1991, he was a big fan.
"That was in my blood, that's what I wanted to do as a young kid," Hewitt said.
But he also showed major tennis potential as a teenager. His parents convinced him to make the "bloody tough" decision to focus on the international sport.
By 2003, he had been world number one, as well as winning the US Open and Wimbledon in 2001-02.
Lleyton Hewitt says his win over Roger Federer at Melbourne Park in the Davis Cup changed his mind about switching to football. (Getty Images: Mark Dadswell)
After his '03 Wimbledon title defence did not make it past the first round, and he lost the number one ranking, Hewitt contemplated what might come next.
Williams said a few years ago that Hewitt contacted him about potentially switching sports, but the tennis star says the Power coach made the approach.
There was talk of Hewitt playing a pre-season game and potentially joining Port as a rookie-listed player.
Regardless of who was driving the idea, eventually it fizzled and Hewitt, a keen Adelaide supporter, did not have to consider joining the Crows' fierce local rivals.
"I grew up absolutely hating the Power, the Port Adelaide Magpies," he said.
"But at the time, I was actually considering it.
"I didn't love the contract and the money.
"He [Williams] ended up giving me a few weeks to think about it."
The clincher was Hewitt rallying from two sets down to beat Swiss great Federer in an epic '03 Davis Cup semi-final. There would be no defection.
"It was one of my greatest victories and I called Choco [Williams] and said 'no,"'Hewitt said.
AAP