- Bears an uncanny resemblance to the former world number 1
- Prepared for raucous reception on Aussie Open debut
- Even celebrates like Hewitt did
Lleyton Hewitt double Dane Sweeny will be a crowd favorite at the John Cain Arena as he makes his Australian Open debut.
Sweeny has developed his own cult following due to his uncanny resemblance to former world number 1 Hewitt, and the 22-year-old Queenslander is expected to draw a large crowd to the indoor arena, which is open to fans with a ground pass.
Nick Kyrgios missed this year due to injury and previously enjoyed the raucous environment at the John Cain Arena, where Australian fans stood behind their player.
Sweeny came through qualifying at Melbourne Park and booked a first-round clash with Argentine Francisco Cerundolo on Sunday, with the tournament brought forward from its traditional start on Monday.
The Dane Sweeny will attract many fans to day one of the Australian Open in Melbourne
Sweeny has attracted a lot of attention for his appearance, which closely resembles Australian tennis great Lleyton Hewitt
He is one of four Australians in action on Sunday, with Adam Walton, Jason Kubler and Chris O’Connell also flying the home flag.
Sweeny is ranked 257 in the world and has never played against 22nd seed Cerundolo, but he felt his play was now at a level that could rival the sport’s elite players.
Last year, Sweeny qualified for the Shanghai Masters, beating Japanese No. 71 Taro Daniel in straight sets in the first round.
“I think I’m playing the type of tennis that will get me qualified and playing well enough for these big events,” Sweeny said after winning his third qualifying match to secure a spot in the main draw.
“I knew it would happen one day, and for it to happen now is amazing.
“I can’t wait to play five sets against some of the best players in the world.”
Kubler, the 2023 Open men’s doubles champion along with compatriot Rinky Hijikata, will be looking to improve on his second-round performance last year when he takes on Colombian Daniel Elahi Galan.
Kubler, ranked 112, defeated world number 89 Galan last year in their only previous meeting in Houston on clay.
Sydneysider O’Connell, who reached the quarter-finals in Adelaide this week, will face Chilean Cristian Garin, who is ranked 17 places behind the experienced Australian at world number 88.
Walton is back in Australia after a stint playing American college tennis with Tennessee.
The Queenslander, ranked 176, is making his grand slam debut and faces an uphill battle against Italian world number 41 Matteo Arnaldi.