See inside Lleyton Hewitt’s coastal escape
Like thousands of other Aussies, Lleyton and Bec Hewitt made the migration from the country’s southern capitals to sunny Queensland - and it wasn’t long until they snapped up a new coastal home.
The former world number one made the move with his family last year, at the same time as he was due to be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame (ITHF).
“Hewitt’s induction celebrations were deferred to 2022 due to travel restrictions,” a statement from ITHF read.
Having finally received the prestigious award on Saturday (Eastern Time), the tennis legend and his family will be returning to their Gold Coast home they secured for a hefty $4.305 million in September last year.
The home, which had been sold just three months prior for $3.75 million, is in the heart of cosmopolitan Burleigh Heads and boasts plenty of luxe features.
Conal Martin, the listing agent for Kingfisher Realty Burleigh Heads who sold the home prior to the Hewitts purchasing it, describes it as having a Palm Springs coastal design with irrigated greenery, natural stone feature walls and an open plan that flows from inside to outside and sold it as a “place where you can escape the bustle of everyday life”.
“Spend your summer nights by the outdoor kitchen, BBQ and beer fridge, watching your family play in the pool through the custom infinity glass pool window or around the fire roasting marshmallows on those cosier winter nights,” the listing reads.
Inside, the home features timber flooring, high ceilings, a wine cellar, three ensuite bedrooms, and a media room or second living space with stunning hinterland views.
Though it doesn’t come with a tennis court, the home is just a short walk from the famed Burleigh Beach and the area’s buzzing restaurant and bar scene.
According to the ITHF, Hewitt will be the 34th Australian to be entered into the Hall of Fame, describing it as the “ultimate honour” in tennis.
“Induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame is tennis’ ultimate honour, representing the sum of a person’s accomplishments as being among the greatest and most impactful in sport’s history,” the statement read.
“Just 267 athletes and contributors from throughout tennis history have received this honour.”
In a speech during the ceremony, Hewitt said it was an “incredible honour” made all the more special by having his family and friends with him on the court in Newport, Rhode Island, where he won his first ATP grass court match 24 years ago.
“To think where it all began for me on junior tennis courts in the middle of nowhere in Adelaide in Australia, with no one watching, no TV cameras, and then to make the full tennis journey and actually now be coming into the Hall of Fame,” he said.
“For me, this is such a special place here in Newport.”
Images: Getty Images, realestate.com.au