![]() Bob Hewitt (1967) | |
Full name | Robert Anthony John Hewitt |
---|---|
Country (sports) | ![]() ![]() |
Residence | Eastern Cape, South Africa |
Born | Dubbo, New South Wales, Australia | 12 January 1940
Height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
Turned pro | 1970 (amateur tour from 1958) |
Retired | 1983 |
Plays | Right-handed (one-handed backhand) |
Prize money | $613,837 (Open era) |
Int. Tennis HoF | 1992 (suspended in 2012) (expelled in 2016) |
Singles | |
Career record | 243–170 (Open era) |
Career titles | 7 |
Highest ranking | No. 6 (1967, Lance Tingay)[1] |
Grand Slam singles results | |
Australian Open | SF (1960, 1962, 1963) |
French Open | 4R (1961, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1967) |
Wimbledon | QF (1962, 1964, 1966) |
US Open | QF (1967) |
Other tournaments | |
Tour Finals | RR (1972) |
Doubles | |
Career record | 481–124 |
Career titles | 65 |
Highest ranking | No. 1 (1 March 1976) |
Grand Slam doubles results | |
Australian Open | W (1963, 1964) |
French Open | W (1972) |
Wimbledon | W (1962, 1964, 1967, 1972, 1978) |
US Open | W (1977) |
Other doubles tournaments | |
Tour Finals | W (1977) |
Mixed doubles | |
Career titles | 6 |
Grand Slam mixed doubles results | |
Australian Open | W (1961) |
French Open | W (1970, 1979) |
Wimbledon | W (1977, 1979) |
US Open | W (1979) |
Team competitions | |
Davis Cup | W (1974) |
Robert Anthony John Hewitt (born 12 January 1940) is a former professional tennis player from Australia. In 1967, after marrying a South African, he became a South African citizen.[2] He has won 15 major titles and a career Grand Slam in both men's and mixed doubles.
In 2015, he was convicted of rape and sexual assault of minors (girls he was coaching in the 1980s and 1990s), Hewitt was sentenced to an effective six years in jail, and was subsequently permanently expelled from the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
Early life
Hewitt was born and grew up in Dubbo, Australia, 400 kilometres west of Sydney.[3][4] In the 1970s, he and his South African wife Dalaille (née Nicholas) moved to Johannesburg, South Africa.[4][5][6][7] He is now a South African citizen.[2][8]
Career
Hewitt's most significant accomplishment was winning all Grand Slam doubles titles, both in men's and mixed doubles (US Open, Wimbledon, Australian Open, French Open)[2] and being central to South Africa's only Davis Cup title in 1974. That victory was controversial, with India's boycotting the final on the orders of its government due to South Africa's apartheid policies, which were affecting the ethnic Indian community of the country.
Hewitt achieved seven titles in singles and 65 in doubles.[2] He was ranked World No. 6 in 1967 by Lance Tingay of The Daily Telegraph.[2] In 1992, he was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, but in 2012, he was suspended, and in 2016, he was expelled from the Tennis Hall of Fame for his convictions of rape and sexual assault.[2][9][10]
Grand Slam doubles finals
Doubles (9 titles, 4 runner-ups)
Result | Year | Championship | Partner | Opponents | Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Loss | 1961 | Wimbledon | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
4–6, 8–6, 4–6, 8–6, 6–8 |
Loss | 1962 | Australian Championships | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–4, 6–4, 1–6, 4–6, 9–11 |
Win | 1962 | Wimbledon | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–2, 5–7, 6–2, 6–4 |
Win | 1963 | Australian Championships | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–2, 3–6, 6–3, 3–6, 6–3 |
Win | 1964 | Australian Championships | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–4, 7–5, 3–6, 4–6, 14–12 |
Win | 1964 | Wimbledon (2) | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
7–5, 11–9, 6–4 |
Loss | 1965 | French Championships | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
8–6, 3–6, 6–8, 2–6 |
Loss | 1965 | Wimbledon | ![]() |
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5–7, 3–6, 4–6 |
Win | 1967 | Wimbledon (3) | ![]() |
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6–2, 6–3, 6–4 |
Win | 1972 | French Open | ![]() |
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6–3, 8–6, 3–6, 6–1 |
Win | 1972 | Wimbledon (4) | ![]() |
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6–2, 6–2, 9–7 |
Win | 1977 | US Open | ![]() |
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6–4, 6–0 |
Winner | 1978 | Wimbledon (5) | ![]() |
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6–1, 6–4, 6–2 |
Mixed Doubles (6 titles, 1 runner-up)
Result | Year | Championship | Partner | Opponents | Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Win | 1961 | Australian Championships | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
9–7, 6–2 |
Loss | 1963 | Wimbledon | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
9–11, 4–6 |
Win | 1970 | French Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
3–6, 6–4, 6–2 |
Win | 1977 | Wimbledon | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
3–6, 7–5, 6–4 |
Win | 1979 | French Open (2) | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–3, 2–6, 6–3 |
Win | 1979 | Wimbledon (2) | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
7–5, 7–6(9–7) |
Win | 1979 | US Open | ![]() |
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6–3, 7–5 |
Open-era doubles finals
Wins (54)
Outcome | No. | Year | Tournament | Surface | Partner | Opponents | Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Winner | 1. | 1970 | Washington, D.C., U.S. | Hard | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
7–5, 6–0 |
Runner-up | 1. | 1970 | Cincinnati, U.S. | Clay | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
3–6, 4–6 |
Winner | 2. | 1970 | Hamburg, Germany | Clay | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–3, 7–5, 6–2 |
Winner | 3. | 1972 | Bournemouth, England | Clay | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
7–5, 6–2 |
Winner | 4. | 1972 | French Open, Paris | Clay | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–3, 8–6, 3–6, 6–1 |
Runner-up | 2. | 1972 | Hamburg, Germany | Clay | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–4, 0–6, 6–3, 2–6, 2–6 |
Winner | 5. | 1972 | Bristol, England | Grass | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–3, 6–2 |
Winner | 6. | 1972 | Wimbledon, London | Grass | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–2, 6–2, 9–7 |
Winner | 7. | 1972 | Tanglewood, U.S. | Other | ![]() |
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6–4, 6–4 |
Winner | 8. | 1972 | Cincinnati, U.S. | Clay | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
7–6, 6–4 |
Winner | 9. | 1972 | Indianapolis, U.S. | Clay | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–2, 6–3 |
Winner | 10. | 1972 | Albany, U.S. | Carpet | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–4, 6–2 |
Runner-up | 3. | 1974 | Little Rock, U.S. | Carpet | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
0–6, 2–6 |
Winner | 11. | 1974 | Washington WCT, U.S. | Carpet | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
7–6, 6–3 |
Winner | 12. | 1974 | Rotterdam, Netherlands | Carpet | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
3–6, 6–4, 6–3 |
Winner | 13. | 1974 | Munich WCT, Germany | Carpet | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–2, 7–6 |
Winner | 14. | 1974 | Johannesburg WCT, South Africa | Hard | ![]() |
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6–2, 6–4, 7–6 |
Winner | 15. | 1974 | World Doubles WCT, Montreal | Carpet | ![]() |
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6–2, 6–7, 6–1, 6–2 |
Runner-up | 4. | 1974 | Vienna, Austria | Hard (i) | ![]() |
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4–6, 7–5, 4–6 |
Runner-up | 5. | 1974 | Stockholm, Sweden | Hard (i) | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–2, 3–6, 4–6 |
Winner | 16. | 1974 | Johannesburg, South Africa | Hard | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
7–6, 6–4, 6–3 |
Winner | 17. | 1975 | Rotterdam WCT, Netherlands | Carpet | ![]() |
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6–2, 6–2 |
Winner | 18. | 1975 | Munich WCT, Germany | Carpet | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–3, 6–4 |
Winner | 19. | 1975 | Monte Carlo WCT, Monaco | Clay | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–3, 6–2 |
Runner-up | 6. | 1975 | Johannesburg WCT, South Africa | Hard | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
3–6, 2–6 |
Runner-up | 7. | 1975 | Tehran, Iran | Clay | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
5–7, 7–6, 1–6, 4–6 |
Winner | 20. | 1975 | Stockholm, Sweden | Hard (i) | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
3–6, 6–3, 6–4 |
Winner | 21. | 1976 | Columbus WCT, U.S. | Carpet | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
7–6, 6–4 |
Winner | 22. | 1976 | Baltimore WCT, U.S. | Carpet | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
3–6, 7–6, 6–4 |
Runner-up | 8. | 1976 | Philadelphia WCT, U.S. | Carpet | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–7, 6–7 |
Winner | 23. | 1976 | Montreal, Canada | Hard | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–2, 6–1 |
Runner-up | 9. | 1976 | San Francisco, U.S. | Carpet | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
3–6, 4–6 |
Runner-up | 10. | 1976 | Madrid, Spain | Clay | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–4, 5–7, 3–6 |
Runner-up | 11. | 1976 | Barcelona, Spain | Clay | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–7, 4–6 |
Winner | 24. | 1976 | Vienna, Austria | Hard (i) | ![]() |
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6–4, 4–0 RET |
Winner | 25. | 1976 | Cologne, Germany | Carpet | ![]() |
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6–1, 3–6, 7–6 |
Winner | 26. | 1976 | Stockholm, Sweden | Hard (i) | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–4, 4–6, 6–4 |
Winner | 27. | 1977 | Philadelphia WCT, U.S. | Carpet | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–1, 1–6, 6–3 |
Runner-up | 12. | 1977 | Little Rock, U.S. | Carpet | ![]() |
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7–6, 3–6, 3–6 |
Winner | 28. | 1977 | Springfield, U.S. | Carpet | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
7–6, 6–2 |
Winner | 29. | 1977 | San Jose, U.S. | Hard | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–2, 6–3 |
Winner | 30. | 1977 | Palm Springs, U.S. | Hard | ![]() |
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7–6, 7–6 |
Winner | 31. | 1977 | Johannesburg, South Africa | Hard | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–2, 6–0 |
Winner | 32. | 1977 | La Costa, U.S. | Hard | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–4, 6–2 |
Winner | 33. | 1977 | Los Angeles PSW, U.S. | Carpet | ![]() |
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6–3, 6–4 |
Winner | 34. | 1977 | Jackson, U.S. | Carpet | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–2, 7–6 |
Runner-up | 13. | 1977 | Las Vegas, U.S. | Hard | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
3–6, 6–3, 4–6 |
Winner | 35. | 1977 | Hamburg, Germany | Clay | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
3–6, 6–3, 6–4, 6–4 |
Runner-up | 14. | 1977 | Gstaad, Switzerland | Clay | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
4–6, 6–7 |
Runner-up | 15. | 1977 | Cincinnati, U.S. | Clay | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
3–6, 6–7 |
Winner | 36. | 1977 | Montreal, Canada | Hard | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–4, 3–6, 6–2 |
Winner | 37. | 1977 | U.S. Open, New York | Clay | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–4, 6–0 |
Runner-up | 16. | 1977 | Tehran, Iran | Clay | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–1, 1–6, 4–6 |
Winner | 38. | 1977 | Madrid, Spain | Clay | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–7, 7–6, 6–3, 6–1 |
Runner-up | 17. | 1977 | Barcelona, Spain | Clay | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
0–6, 4–6 |
Winner | 39. | 1977 | Vienna, Austria | Hard (i) | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–4, 6–3 |
Winner | 40. | 1977 | Cologne, Germany | Carpet | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–3, 7–5 |
Winner | 41. | 1978 | Philadelphia WCT, U.S. | Carpet | ![]() |
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6–4, 6–4 |
Winner | 42. | 1978 | Richmond WCT, U.S. | Carpet | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–3, 7–5 |
Winner | 43. | 1978 | St. Louis WCT, U.S. | Carpet | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–3, 6–2 |
Runner-up | 18. | 1978 | Palm Springs, U.S. | Hard | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
4–6, 4–6 |
Winner | 44. | 1978 | Denver, U.S. | Carpet | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–3, 6–2 |
Winner | 45. | 1978 | Johannesburg, South Africa | Hard | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
7–5, 7–6 |
Runner-up | 19. | 1978 | Las Vegas, U.S. | Hard | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
3–6, 6–7 |
Winner | 46. | 1978 | London/Queen's Club, England | Grass | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–2, 7–5 |
Winner | 47. | 1978 | Wimbledon, London | Grass | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–1, 6–4, 6–2 |
Runner-up | 20. | 1978 | Gstaad, Switzerland | Clay | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
4–6, 6–1, 1–6, 4–6 |
Winner | 48. | 1978 | Washington, D.C., U.S. | Clay | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–3, 6–4 |
Runner-up | 21. | 1978 | Vienna, Austria | Hard (i) | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
3–6, 7–6, 4–6 |
Runner-up | 22. | 1978 | Cologne, Germany | Hard (i) | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
3–6, 2–6 |
Runner-up | 23. | 1978 | Johannesburg, South Africa | Hard | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
3–6, 6–7 |
Winner | 49. | 1979 | Båstad, Sweden | Clay | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–2, 6–2 |
Runner-up | 24. | 1979 | Toronto, Canada | Hard | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
7–6, 6–7, 1–6 |
Winner | 50. | 1979 | Basel, Switzerland | Hard (i) | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–3, 6–4 |
Winner | 51. | 1979 | Vienna, Austria | Hard (i) | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–4, 3–6, 6–1 |
Winner | 52. | 1979 | Johannesburg, South Africa | Hard | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
1–6, 6–1, 6–4 |
Winner | 53. | 1980 | Johannesburg, South Africa | Hard | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–4, 6–3 |
Winner | 54. | 1980 | Munich, Germany | Clay | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
7–6, 6–1 |
Runner-up | 25. | 1980 | Basel, Switzerland | Hard (i) | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
7–6, 4–6, 4–6 |
Allegations and conviction of sexual assault and rape
Bob Hewitt | |
---|---|
Born | Robert Anthony John Hewitt |
Criminal status | Paroled |
Conviction(s) | 23 March 2015 (guilty plea) |
Criminal charge | Child grooming Sexual activity with a minor |
Penalty | 6 years imprisonment (served 3 years 6 months and 22 days) |
In 2011, a six-month investigation by The Boston Globe disclosed allegations from one adult woman who was coached as a girl by Hewitt's assistant coach.[11] The investigation was prompted by the revelations of a former student in March 2011,[12] who claimed that, beginning in the 1970s, Hewitt abused or harassed her when she was as young as 10 years old. Interviews with contemporaries in the United States and South Africa indicated that there had been no rumors about misconduct by Hewitt at the time of the alleged events. The South African Tennis Union investigated after 1992, but no legal action was taken against Hewitt.[11]
The Boston Globe's investigation and report of the victim prompted the request and was followed up by a letter signed by his alleged victim asking for his removal from the Hall of Fame. A November 2011 investigative piece by Mary Carillo of HBO's Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel includes interviews with the alleged victim and others who claim that Hewitt abused them. Hewitt did not agree to be interviewed for the piece.
In May 2012, Hewitt's one-time mixed doubles partner Billie Jean King spoke to the Washingtonian, saying "I don't feel good about Bob Hewitt. I played mixed with him. We won the French Open together in 1970. I'm not happy. I am very upset."[13] On 15 November 2012, after months of investigation, Hewitt lost his place in the International Tennis Hall of Fame. "His legacy ceases to exist in the Hall of Fame", said Mark Stenning, executive director of the International Tennis Hall of Fame. "As of today, his plaque will be removed from the Hall of Fame. His name will be removed from our website and all other materials, and from the perspective of the Hall of Fame, he is suspended from the Hall of Fame."[14][15] On 6 April 2016, Hewitt was permanently expelled from the Tennis Hall of Fame.[16]
Conviction
Hewitt was charged in June 2014 with rape of two underage students in the 1980s and 1990s, and went on trial in 2015.[17][18][19] On 23 March 2015, Hewitt was found guilty of two counts of rape and one of sexual assault of minors by the South Gauteng High Court in South Africa, and was sentenced in May to an effective six years in jail.[20][21][22] One of his victims was 13 in 1980 when Hewitt, who was her tennis coach, raped her.[23] Heather Crowe Conner of West Newbury was a 14-year-old in 1975 when Hewitt began raping her.[23] Another victim was 12 in 1982 when Hewitt assaulted her during a tennis lesson.[23]
Hewitt was released on parole in April 2020. At the time Hewitt had served three years, six months and 22 days of his six-year sentence.[24]
References
- ^ United States Lawn Tennis Association (1972). Official Encyclopedia of Tennis (First Edition), p. 428.
- ^ a b c d e f Grasso 2011, p. 135.
- ^ South African Panorama. South African Information Service. 1973.
- ^ a b "Bob Hewitt sentenced to six years' jail for rape and sexual assault of underage girls in South Africa" - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
- ^ Bud Collins; Zander Hollander (1994). Bud Collins' Modern Encyclopedia of Tennis. Visible Ink Press. ISBN 978-0-8103-9443-8.
- ^ World Tennis. CBS Publications. 1981.
- ^ "Ex-tennis champion Bob Hewitt jailed for rape in South Africa". ABC News. 18 May 2015. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
- ^ Huntsdale, Justin (17 March 2011). "Tennis great Bob Hewitt returns to Dubbo". www.abc.net.au. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
- ^ "Ex-tennis star Bob Hewitt guilty of raping girls in South Africa". Retrieved 23 March 2015.
- ^ "Tennis Hall of Fame removes Bob Hewitt - The Boston Globe". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
- ^ a b Hohler, Bob (28 August 2011). "Tennis star trailed by allegations of abuse". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
- ^ Solis, Jennifer (24 March 2011). "Ex-board member recounts sexual assaults". Daily News. Newburyport, Massachusetts. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
- ^ "A Conversation With Billie Jean King | Washingtonian (DC)". Washingtonian. 30 May 2012. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
- ^ Bob Hohler (15 November 2012). "Tennis Hall of Fame removes Bob Hewitt". The Boston Globe.
- ^ "Abuse claims cost former tennis champion Bob Hewitt his place in sport's Hall of Fame". The Australian. 16 November 2012.
- ^ "Ex-tennis champ Bob Hewitt's appeal on rape conviction rejected". USA TODAY. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
- ^ "Bob Hewitt found guilty of rape". News24. 23 March 2015. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
- ^ "Ex-tennis star charged with rape". BBC News. 6 June 2014. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
- ^ Laing, Aislinn (9 June 2016). "Tennis champion Bob Hewitt loses child rape appeal". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
- ^ Bob Hewitt found guilty of rape | News24
- ^ Bob Hewitt gets effective six years in jail
- ^ Tennis champion Bob Hewitt loses child rape appeal
- ^ a b c Former tennis star Bob Hewitt ordered imprisoned – The Boston Globe
- ^ "Convicted rapist Bob Hewitt released on parole". News24. 24 April 2020. Archived from the original on 6 May 2020. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
Reference bibliography
- Grasso, John (2011). "Hewitt, Robert Anthony John "Bob"". Historical Dictionary of Tennis. Historical Dictionaries of Sports. Scarecrow Press. pp. 135–136. ISBN 9780810872370.
External links
- Bob Hewitt at the Association of Tennis Professionals
- Bob Hewitt at the International Tennis Federation
- Bob Hewitt at the Davis Cup
- Daily Liberal – City served him well
- Real Sports [1]