.contact us |.about us
News > Sports News...
Hewitt felled by giant giant-killer
( 2003-06-24 09:42) (Agencies)

Towering Ivo Karlovic starred in his own fantastical Wimbledon fairytale on Monday, beating champion Lleyton Hewitt to create history on the world's most famous tennis stage.

Hewitt reacts after losing the match

Standing 6 foot 10 inches (2.083 metre) in his bare feet, Karlovic is the tallest man to have played the grand slam in its 127-year history.
But despite this, he barely registers on the tennis radar.
Until Monday's first round match he had played just 10 matches at full Tour level -- and never at a grand slam.
But in front of a spellbound Centre Court crowd, the Goliath downed the Australian top seed 1-6 7-6 6-3 6-4.
It was an incredible result and one which left Hewitt saddled with the unwanted tag as first champion since tennis turned professional in 1968 to lose in the first round.
"I was a little bit lucky, but that's life," Karlovic stuttered.
Clearly enjoying his new-found celebrity, he added: "I really enjoyed playing this. I am excited... (but) I believe I'm going to realise some other day that I won."

SEVERE STAMMER
Karlovic struggles with his speech, suffering from a severe stammer, but on Monday needed no words at all to carve his own piece of sporting history.
The fairytale finish was more outrageous than even the plots of the Rocky movies from which Hewitt draws inspiration, but Karlovic made it happen in front of a spellbound Wimbledon Centre Court.
Karlovic told reporters that within moments of his victory he had received a call from compatriot and 2001 champion Goran Ivanisevic.
"He was always my idol and I always saw him as a God," the 24-year-old said. "I spoke with him just now and he congratulated me on my win."
Hewitt left court shell-shocked, beaten by a man who had scraped together just four full Tour level wins and $155,772 in three years hacking round the circuit.
But all the Australian's millions and tournament titles could not save him from his fate.
Only once before in the tournament's 126-year history had a champion lost in the opening round. That was in 1967 when Manuel Santana lost to Charlie Pasarell, and Hewitt will have much soul-searching to do.
"It's hard to say now that I will go away and learn something from this but yeah, hopefully I will," Hewitt said.
"Sure as defending champion it is disappointing but I'd be disappointed losing first round at Wimbledon any time."

LONG-TERM GIRLFR

Go to another section

E-Mail This Article
Printer-Friendly Format


Today's Top News Top Sports News
China, India endorse historic declarations
( 2003-06-24)
Chinese Embassy steps in to help stranded workers get back home
( 2003-06-24)
Central bank rules out renminbi interest rate hike
( 2003-06-24)
College graduates get helping hand
( 2003-06-24)
Indian PM's speech brings relations closer
( 2003-06-24)
Brazil bow out to Turkey in Confederations Cup
( 2003-06-24)
Schumacher expects F1 title battle to run and run
( 2003-06-24)
Hewitt felled by giant giant-killer
( 2003-06-24)
Soccer-Real decide to part company with Del Bosque
( 2003-06-24)
Soccer-Cameroon clinch top spot with 0-0 draw against the US
( 2003-06-24)