ASH BARTY AND LLEYTON HEWITT KICK OFF ‘BE LEGENDARY’ PROGRAM IN MELBOURNE, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH TENNIS AUSTRALIA
At the International Tennis Hall of Fame, we believe there is greatness inside each and every one of us.
That’s where ‘Be Legendary’ comes in. A global initiative by the International Tennis Hall of Fame designed to inspire and empower youth ages 10 to 18 at tennis programs around the world by offering them unique access to the history of the sport, its values, and legendary players. The goal of the program is to teach kids all the incredible life lessons the sport has to offer through the lens of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, help them foster a deeper connection to the sport, and encourage them to find their personal greatness, both on and off the court.
In partnership with Tennis Australia, the International Tennis Hall of Fame launched the first stop of the program this past week in Melbourne. 64 of the best and brightest kids from the TA Super 10s National Camp came together for an exciting week of activities inspired by two Australian tennis legends: four-time major champion Ash Barty, and Hall of Famer Lleyton Hewitt.
WELCOME RECEPTION AND LEGENDS LOCKER UNBOXING
To kick things off in Melbourne, participants explored the ‘Legends Locker,’ a collection of historical tennis relics and other youth-friendly items that highlights the sport’s rich history. Kids had the chance to unveil items like 1990s wooden racquets, 1970s white tennis balls, and posters showcasing key tennis values they would learn about in the coming days.
Former Doubles World No.1 and six-time Major Title Champion Rajeev Ram joined kids in the unboxing activity, answered questions, signed autographs, and interacted with the participants.
CURATED TENNIS LESSONS WITH BARTY AND HEWITT
After the welcome reception and Legends Locker unboxing, the Super 10s camp participants split into two groups for curated tennis lessons based on their respective legend. The girls learned about Ash Barty’s career and discussed the core value of respect, while the boys explored Lleyton Hewitt’s determination and how it fueled his career. Kids also prepared questions for the legends before heading to the courts to engage with them in-person.
"I think there's been so many great role models for these kids to look up to and the more they see those guys up close, but also it makes it real that they're a chance that you actually can become part of the International Tennis Hall of Fame and how important those things are, determination, tenacity, those kind of qualities that can help you on the tennis court. So I think it's really important to make that connection and obviously I'm extremely proud to do it with some Australian kids."
HITTING THE COURTS FOR SOME FUN
After the lessons, kids hit the court to test their skills in a series of tennis activities. Barty worked with the girls, teaching them the technique behind her legendary backhand slice, while Lleyton Hewitt focused on instilling determination in the boys, encouraging them to give their all on the court.
Hewitt cheered them on as they chased down balls left and right and pushed themselves, offering tips and support along the way.
At the end of the on-court session, a few lucky kids had the opportunity to ask Barty and Hewitt the questions they had prepared. The experience wrapped up with each kid receiving an autograph from their respective legend.
“It was great to come out and support the Be Legendary program and engage with some of these young, talented tennis players. Teaching the next generation about respect and how to carry yourself both on and off the court is invaluable, and certainly played a major role in the success I had in my career,” said Barty.
CLOSING CEREMONY
To wrap up the week, all 64 Super 10s campers gathered on Sunday for a reflection and gratitude lesson, where they wrote thank you cards to the legends they had worked with. Each participant also received a special Be Legendary medal to commemorate their involvement in the program and their dedication throughout the week.
As part of the event’s finale, the International Tennis Hall of Fame and Tennis Australia will select two standout juniors (one girl and one boy) who best embody the values of respect and determination. These two lucky participants will each be rewarded with a trip to Newport, RI, to visit the International Tennis Hall of Fame during induction weekend in August. Accompanied by a parent, they will have the chance to attend the 2025 Induction Celebration, tour the museum, and take part in a range of exciting tennis activities throughout the trip.
SEE THE BE LEGENDARY PROGRAM IN ACTION
UPCOMING PROGRAM STOPS
The Be Legendary program is set to visit 6-8 markets this year, both in the United States and internationally. The second stop will be in Dallas, featuring the International Tennis Hall of Fame President Hall of Famer Kim Clijsters and Hall of Famer Martina Hingis.
Other confirmed stops include:
Indian Wells - with appearances from Mike and Bob Bryan
Miami - with an appearance from Aranxta Sánchez Vicario
London - with an appearance from a yet-to-be-confirmed Hall of Famer
*Additional program stops will be announced at a later date.
