Bob Hewitt
![]() 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 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 professionaltennisplayer from Australia. In 1967, after marrying a South African, he became a South African citizen.[2]He has won 15majortitles and a career Grand Slam in both men's and mixed doubles.
In 2015, he was convicted of rape and sexual assault of girls he was coaching in the 1980s and 1990s; Hewitt was sentenced to six years in jail, and was subsequently expelled from theInternational Tennis Hall of Fame.
Early life
[edit]Hewitt was born and grew up inDubbo, Australia,400 kilometres west of Sydney.[3][4]In the 1970s, he and his South African wife Dalaille (née Nicholas) moved toJohannesburg, South Africa.[4][5][6][7]He is now a South African citizen.[2][8]
Career
[edit]Hewitt's most significant accomplishment was winning all Grand Slam doubles titles, both in men's and mixed doubles (US Open, Wimbledon, Australian Open and French Open),[2]and being central to South Africa's onlyDavis Cuptitle in 1974. This victory was controversial, as India boycotted the final on the orders of their government due to South Africa'sapartheidpolicies and their effect on 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 byLance TingayofThe Daily Telegraph.[2]In 1992, he was inducted into theInternational Tennis Hall of Fame,but he was suspended from the Hall in 2012 and expelled in 2016 after his convictions of rape and sexual assault.[2][9][10]
Grand Slam doubles finals
[edit]Doubles (9 titles, 4 runner-ups)
[edit]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 | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
5–7, 3–6, 4–6 |
Win | 1967 | Wimbledon(3) | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–2, 6–3, 6–4 |
Win | 1972 | French Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–3, 8–6, 3–6, 6–1 |
Win | 1972 | Wimbledon(4) | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–2, 6–2, 9–7 |
Win | 1977 | US Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–4, 6–0 |
Winner | 1978 | Wimbledon(5) | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–1, 6–4, 6–2 |
Mixed doubles (6 titles, 1 runner-up)
[edit]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 | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–3, 7–5 |
Open-era doubles finals
[edit]Wins (54)
[edit]Result | No. | Year | Tournament | Surface | Partner | Opponents | Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Win | 1. | 1970 | Washington, D.C.,U.S. | Hard | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
7–5, 6–0 |
Loss | 1. | 1970 | Cincinnati,U.S. | Clay | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
3–6, 4–6 |
Win | 2. | 1970 | Hamburg,Germany | Clay | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–3, 7–5, 6–2 |
Win | 3. | 1972 | Bournemouth,England | Clay | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
7–5, 6–2 |
Win | 4. | 1972 | French Open,Paris | Clay | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–3, 8–6, 3–6, 6–1 |
Loss | 2. | 1972 | Hamburg,Germany | Clay | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–4, 0–6, 6–3, 2–6, 2–6 |
Win | 5. | 1972 | Bristol,England | Grass | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–3, 6–2 |
Win | 6. | 1972 | Wimbledon,London | Grass | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–2, 6–2, 9–7 |
Win | 7. | 1972 | Tanglewood,U.S. | Clay | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–4, 6–4 |
Win | 8. | 1972 | Cincinnati,U.S. | Clay | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
7–6, 6–4 |
Win | 9. | 1972 | Indianapolis,U.S. | Clay | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–2, 6–3 |
Win | 10. | 1972 | Albany,U.S. | Carpet | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–4, 6–2 |
Loss | 3. | 1974 | Little Rock,U.S. | Carpet | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
0–6, 2–6 |
Win | 11. | 1974 | Washington WCT,U.S. | Carpet | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
7–6, 6–3 |
Win | 12. | 1974 | Rotterdam,Netherlands | Carpet | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
3–6, 6–4, 6–3 |
Win | 13. | 1974 | Munich WCT,Germany | Carpet | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–2, 7–6 |
Win | 14. | 1974 | Johannesburg WCT,South Africa | Hard | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–2, 6–4, 7–6 |
Win | 15. | 1974 | World Doubles WCT,Montreal | Carpet | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–2, 6–7, 6–1, 6–2 |
Loss | 4. | 1974 | Vienna,Austria | Hard (i) | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
4–6, 7–5, 4–6 |
Loss | 5. | 1974 | Stockholm,Sweden | Hard (i) | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–2, 3–6, 4–6 |
Win | 16. | 1974 | Johannesburg,South Africa | Hard | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
7–6, 6–4, 6–3 |
Win | 17. | 1975 | Rotterdam WCT,Netherlands | Carpet | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–2, 6–2 |
Win | 18. | 1975 | Munich WCT,Germany | Carpet | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–3, 6–4 |
Win | 19. | 1975 | Monte Carlo WCT,Monaco | Clay | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–3, 6–2 |
Loss | 6. | 1975 | Johannesburg WCT,South Africa | Hard | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
3–6, 2–6 |
Loss | 7. | 1975 | Tehran,Iran | Clay | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
5–7, 7–6, 1–6, 4–6 |
Win | 20. | 1975 | Stockholm,Sweden | Hard (i) | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
3–6, 6–3, 6–4 |
Win | 21. | 1976 | Columbus WCT,U.S. | Carpet | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
7–6, 6–4 |
Win | 22. | 1976 | Baltimore WCT,U.S. | Carpet | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
3–6, 7–6, 6–4 |
Loss | 8. | 1976 | Philadelphia WCT,U.S. | Carpet | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–7, 6–7 |
Win | 23. | 1976 | Montreal,Canada | Hard | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–2, 6–1 |
Loss | 9. | 1976 | San Francisco,U.S. | Carpet | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
3–6, 4–6 |
Loss | 10. | 1976 | Madrid,Spain | Clay | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–4, 5–7, 3–6 |
Loss | 11. | 1976 | Barcelona,Spain | Clay | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–7, 4–6 |
Win | 24. | 1976 | Vienna,Austria | Hard (i) | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–4, 4–0 RET |
Win | 25. | 1976 | Cologne,Germany | Carpet | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–1, 3–6, 7–6 |
Win | 26. | 1976 | Stockholm,Sweden | Hard (i) | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–4, 4–6, 6–4 |
Win | 27. | 1977 | Philadelphia WCT,U.S. | Carpet | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–1, 1–6, 6–3 |
Loss | 12. | 1977 | Little Rock,U.S. | Carpet | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
7–6, 3–6, 3–6 |
Win | 28. | 1977 | Springfield,U.S. | Carpet | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
7–6, 6–2 |
Win | 29. | 1977 | San Jose,U.S. | Hard | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–2, 6–3 |
Win | 30. | 1977 | Palm Springs,U.S. | Hard | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
7–6, 7–6 |
Win | 31. | 1977 | Johannesburg,South Africa | Hard | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–2, 6–0 |
Win | 32. | 1977 | La Costa,U.S. | Hard | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–4, 6–2 |
Win | 33. | 1977 | Los Angeles PSW,U.S. | Carpet | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–3, 6–4 |
Win | 34. | 1977 | Jackson,U.S. | Carpet | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–2, 7–6 |
Loss | 13. | 1977 | Las Vegas,U.S. | Hard | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
3–6, 6–3, 4–6 |
Win | 35. | 1977 | Hamburg,Germany | Clay | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
3–6, 6–3, 6–4, 6–4 |
Loss | 14. | 1977 | Gstaad,Switzerland | Clay | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
4–6, 6–7 |
Loss | 15. | 1977 | Cincinnati,U.S. | Clay | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
3–6, 6–7 |
Win | 36. | 1977 | Montreal,Canada | Hard | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–4, 3–6, 6–2 |
Win | 37. | 1977 | US Open,New York City | Clay | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–4, 6–0 |
Loss | 16. | 1977 | Tehran,Iran | Clay | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–1, 1–6, 4–6 |
Win | 38. | 1977 | Madrid,Spain | Clay | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–7, 7–6, 6–3, 6–1 |
Loss | 17. | 1977 | Barcelona,Spain | Clay | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
0–6, 4–6 |
Win | 39. | 1977 | Vienna,Austria | Hard (i) | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–4, 6–3 |
Win | 40. | 1977 | Cologne,Germany | Carpet | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–3, 7–5 |
Win | 41. | 1978 | Philadelphia WCT,U.S. | Carpet | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–4, 6–4 |
Win | 42. | 1978 | Richmond WCT,U.S. | Carpet | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–3, 7–5 |
Win | 43. | 1978 | St. Louis WCT,U.S. | Carpet | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–3, 6–2 |
Loss | 18. | 1978 | Palm Springs,U.S. | Hard | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
4–6, 4–6 |
Win | 44. | 1978 | Denver,U.S. | Carpet | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–3, 6–2 |
Win | 45. | 1978 | Johannesburg,South Africa | Hard | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
7–5, 7–6 |
Loss | 19. | 1978 | Las Vegas,U.S. | Hard | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
3–6, 6–7 |
Win | 46. | 1978 | London/Queen's Club,England | Grass | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–2, 7–5 |
Win | 47. | 1978 | Wimbledon,London | Grass | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–1, 6–4, 6–2 |
Loss | 20. | 1978 | Gstaad,Switzerland | Clay | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
4–6, 6–1, 1–6, 4–6 |
Win | 48. | 1978 | Washington, D.C.,U.S. | Clay | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–3, 6–4 |
Loss | 21. | 1978 | Vienna,Austria | Hard (i) | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
3–6, 7–6, 4–6 |
Loss | 22. | 1978 | Cologne,Germany | Hard (i) | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
3–6, 2–6 |
Loss | 23. | 1978 | Johannesburg,South Africa | Hard | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
3–6, 6–7 |
Win | 49. | 1979 | Båstad,Sweden | Clay | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–2, 6–2 |
Loss | 24. | 1979 | Toronto,Canada | Hard | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
7–6, 6–7, 1–6 |
Win | 50. | 1979 | Basel,Switzerland | Hard (i) | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–3, 6–4 |
Win | 51. | 1979 | Vienna,Austria | Hard (i) | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–4, 3–6, 6–1 |
Win | 52. | 1979 | Johannesburg,South Africa | Hard | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
1–6, 6–1, 6–4 |
Win | 53. | 1980 | Johannesburg,South Africa | Hard | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
6–4, 6–3 |
Win | 54. | 1980 | Munich,Germany | Clay | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
7–6, 6–1 |
Loss | 25. | 1980 | Basel,Switzerland | Hard (i) | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
7–6, 4–6, 4–6 |
Allegations and conviction of sexual assault and rape
[edit]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 byThe Boston Globedisclosed 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, Hewittabusedorharassedher 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 rumours 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 byMary Carilloof HBO'sReal Sports with Bryant Gumbelincludes 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 partnerBillie Jean Kingspoke to theWashingtonian,saying "I don't feel good about Bob Hewitt. I played mixed with him. We won theFrench Opentogether 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 officially expelled from the Tennis Hall of Fame.[16]
Conviction
[edit]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 ofsexual assaultof minors by theSouth Gauteng High Courtin 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 ConnerofWest Newburywas 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
[edit]- ^United States Lawn Tennis Association (1972).Official Encyclopedia of Tennis(First Edition), p. 428.
- ^abcdefGrasso 2011,p. 135.
- ^South African Panorama.South African Information Service. 1973.
- ^ab"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.ISBN978-0-8103-9443-8.
- ^World Tennis.CBS Publications. 1981.
- ^"Ex-tennis champion Bob Hewitt jailed for rape in South Africa".ABC News.18 May 2015.Retrieved9 March2020.
- ^Huntsdale, Justin (17 March 2011)."Tennis great Bob Hewitt returns to Dubbo".abc.net.au.Retrieved9 March2020.
- ^"Ex-tennis star Bob Hewitt guilty of raping girls in South Africa".Archived fromthe originalon 4 August 2022.Retrieved23 March2015.
- ^"Tennis Hall of Fame removes Bob Hewitt – The Boston Globe".BostonGlobe.Retrieved9 March2020.
- ^ab Hohler, Bob (28 August 2011)."Tennis star trailed by allegations of abuse".The Boston Globe.Retrieved28 August2011.
- ^Solis, Jennifer (24 March 2011)."Ex-board member recounts sexual assaults".Daily News.Newburyport, Massachusetts.Retrieved28 August2011.
- ^"A Conversation With Billie Jean King | Washingtonian (DC)".Washingtonian.30 May 2012.Retrieved9 March2020.
- ^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.Retrieved9 March2020.
- ^"Bob Hewitt found guilty of rape".News24.23 March 2015.Retrieved9 March2020.
- ^"Ex-tennis star charged with rape".BBC News. 6 June 2014.Retrieved9 March2020.
- ^Laing, Aislinn (9 June 2016)."Tennis champion Bob Hewitt loses child rape appeal".The Telegraph.ISSN0307-1235.Retrieved9 March2020.
- ^Bob Hewitt found guilty of rape | News24
- ^Bob Hewitt gets effective six years in jail
- ^Tennis champion Bob Hewitt loses child rape appeal
- ^abcFormer tennis star Bob Hewitt ordered imprisoned – The Boston Globe
- ^"Convicted rapist Bob Hewitt released on parole".News24.24 April 2020. Archived fromthe originalon 6 May 2020.Retrieved26 May2020.
Reference bibliography
[edit]- Grasso, John (2011). "Hewitt, Robert Anthony John" Bob "".Historical Dictionary of Tennis.Historical Dictionaries of Sports. Scarecrow Press. pp. 135–136.ISBN9780810872370.
External links
[edit]- 1940 births
- Living people
- 20th-century Australian criminals
- Australian Championships (tennis) champions
- Australian emigrants to South Africa
- Australian male tennis players
- Criminals from New South Wales
- French Open champions
- Grand Slam (tennis) champions in men's doubles
- Grand Slam (tennis) champions in mixed doubles
- Naturalised citizens of South Africa
- Australian rapists
- Australian people convicted of rape
- Australian people convicted of child sexual abuse
- People from Dubbo
- Prisoners and detainees of South Africa
- South African male tennis players
- South African people of Australian descent
- South African people of British descent
- South African people convicted of rape
- Child sexual abuse in South Africa
- Tennis players from New South Wales
- US Open (tennis) champions
- Wimbledon champions
- Wimbledon champions (pre-Open Era)
- South African tennis coaches
- Grand Slam (tennis) champions in boys' doubles
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- South African sportspeople convicted of crimes
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