SYDNEY, 25 December 2003 — One of the longest-running love matches in tennis became official Tuesday as Lleyton Hewitt proposed to girlfriend Kim Clijsters during a romantic cruise around Sydney harbor.
The upcoming wedding — date unknown — of the pair of former world No. 1 players came as no surprise. But its timing might have been something of a shock to the system for the bride-to-be, currently ranked second on the WTA Tour.
“Lleyton has surprised me,” Belgium’s Clijsters said through her official website. “He invited me for dinner on a boat and suddenly unveiled a ring and earrings.”
Added the stunned 20-year-old: “I didn’t know what hit me, but I’m very happy about it. In Australia, being engaged means a lot, I’m extremely happy with my early Christmas present.”
Clijsters and her fiancé will play at the eight-nation Hyundai Hopman Cup teams event in Perth starting Jan. 3 on opposite teams, Clijsters pairing with Xavier Malisse for Belgium and Hewitt teaming alongside Alicia Molik.
The 22-year-old Hewitt told Australian media: “It was a special evening together in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. We couldn’t have asked for more.”
Clijsters, who lost a dramatic Australian Open semifinal last January to eventual champion Serena Williams, has been with Hewitt for four years and has spent the past several holiday breaks at the Hewitt family home in Adelaide preparing for the Aussie summer season.
She telephoned her parents in Belgium after the big surprise while Hewitt also broke the good news.
Hewitt and Clijsters join other tennis couples including Jimmy Connors and Chris Evert in the 1970s and the current duo of Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf.
Rafter’s Comeback to Extend
to Australian Open
Pat Rafter was confirmed yesterday as a starter in the doubles competition at next month’s Australian Open in Melbourne.
His doubles partner Josh eagle revealed the dual US Open champion had accepted a wildcard into the year’s first grand slam.
Rafter, who turns 31 on Sunday, hasn’t played competitive tennis since Australia’s Davis Cup final loss to France in December 2001 and formally announced his retirement in January this year.
The serve-volleyer on Tuesday was announced as making an appearance in the doubles with Eagle at the Australian Hardcourt Championships in Adelaide from Jan. 5 to 11.
But Eagle said on Wednesday Rafter would also make a comeback to the Australian Open — three years after his epic five-set semifinal loss to eventual champion Andre Agassi.
“We just chatted. He had nothing else to do and he decided to have a game,” Eagle said after a round of golf with Rafter on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast yesterday.
“He had nothing on at the moment and he felt like it would be something fun to do.
“He knew that it would probably be my last Australian Open and last Australian summer circuit, so he thought we may as well go out in style.”
Rafter will play fellow former world No.1 Mats Wilander in an exhibition match in Townsville in north Queensland on Feb. 2 — the day after the Australian Open ends — but Eagle ruled out a permanent singles comeback for his good friend.
“Definitely not,” he said. “This is purely something we’re viewing as a bit of fun ... if we happen to win a match or two, so be it. That’d be a bonus.”
Eagle said Rafter was ready for the intense media focus that would follow his decision to play again. “He’s fully aware of what to expect,” he said.
“He knew his decision to play wouldn’t be taken lightly by the press and media and by the public, and he understands. He’s been involved in it long enough.”
Paul McNamee, the Australian Open tournament director, said Rafter’s appearance at Melbourne Park would be a popular one.
“He’ll be a really good addition to the tournament and for the fans in particular. The fans will get a kick out of it,” McNamee said.
“It’ll be interesting to see how he goes. He and Josh will have had a game in Adelaide and that will have them in good stead for Melbourne.”
