Lleyton Hewitt (right, red cap) works on tennis skills with Special Olympics District of Columbia athletes, including Larrita Grahm, front.

The sports skills clinic and demonstration at the William H.G. FitzGerald Center, home of the Washington Tennis & Education Foundation, officially launched tennis as a new sport for Special Olympics District of Columbia. The initiative was made possible by a grant and assistance from the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Mid-Atlantic region. Special Olympics District of Columbia now offers 13 different sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

Hewitt greets Special Olympics athletes.

Hewitt has served as a Global Ambassador and international tennis coach for Special Olympics since 2002, helping launch tennis as an official sport for Special Olympics China. He also has conducted many tennis clinics for Special Olympics athletes around the world, including in New York City prior to the 2003 U.S. Open; in Dublin, Ireland, at the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games; and at the 2004 Hyundai Hopman Cup international mixed teams tennis championship in Perth, Western Australia. “I have been fortunate to have earned the title of champion in tennis, but Special Olympics athletes earn that title every day of their lives,” said Hewitt when he announced his commitment. “Their courage and success over daily challenges is the true definition of ‘champion.’”

Volunteers from the Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) assisted at the clinic. PTR was founded in 1976 by world renowned coach Dennis Van der Meer to educate, certify and service tennis teachers and coaches around the world. With more than 10,300 Members in 122 countries, PTR's mission is to provide education, international certification and service to tennis teaching professionals and coaches; its charitable arm has as its primary focus to bring tennis instruction and tennis equipment to children where the opportunity may not otherwise be available to them. As the sport of a lifetime, tennis can be beneficial in building a better future for children as well as a healthier lifestyle of wellness.

Joining Hewitt at the launch were Timothy Shriver, Chairman and CEO of Special Olympics; Steve Hocker, Executive Director of Special Olympics District of Columbia; Rose Hobson, President of the Washington Tennis Association; and Ricardo Thornton, Special Olympics District of Columbia athlete.

The resounding theme of the day was empowerment. “Our athletes are fighting for a chance on the court, fighting for a chance to get exposure, fighting for a chance to be included,” said Shriver. “All of us are out here trying to make a difference in someone’s life ... and Lleyton, we are grateful for your being such an example of making a positive difference in the community.”

Timothy Shriver, Chairman and CEO of Special Olympics, and Hewitt.

“Tennis is all about having fun and enjoying ourselves,” said Hewitt. “It is a privilege for me to be able to work with these athletes and give them an opportunity to see professional tennis and professional tournaments and what we go through week in and week out.” Hewitt was first introduced to Special Olympics in 1998 by his former coach Peter Smith. Smith would host tennis clinics in Adelaide at which Hewitt would speak and play with the Special Olympics athletes. Hewitt’s interest in supporting sport opportunities for all people globally helped mold his decision to join Special Olympics’ campaign for growth.

“Special Olympics athletes worldwide are looking for an opportunity to participate,” said Hocker. “If we don’t provide tennis or aquatics or whatever the sport may be, they don’t get a chance. Thanks to Special Olympics and the vision of [Special Olympics Founder Eunice Kennedy] Shriver, these athletes have a chance to participate and train. I also thank Lleyton for coming and giving his time.”

Left, Ricardo Thornton, Special Olympics District of Columbia athlete, joins Hewitt for a doubles match.

The clinic concluded with a true edge-of-your-seat doubles match, with Hewitt and Thornton facing Shriver and Special Olympics District of Columbia athlete John Bossard. The match had all the exciting elements of a center-court final, with extended volleys, great tennis strokes and amazing showmanship from all participants.

Legg Mason Tennis Classic is one of only 13 ATP Events in the United States. Competing in a single elimination draw are 32 singles and 16 doubles teams. The semifinals will be televised by Fox Sports Net and the finals will be shown live on CBS 12:30pm EST 22 August. In his opening match on Monday 16 August, Hewitt defeated Kenneth Carlsen of Denmark 6-1, 6-2. He continued his winning ways with a 6-3, 6-2 defeat of Alejandro Falla of Columbia on Wednesday 18 August.

Hewitt works with a clinic participant.

A fiery competitor, 23-year-old Hewitt won the U.S. Open in 2001 and Wimbledon in 2002. In 2001, Hewitt was the youngest player to finish the year ranked number one (at 20 years, 8 months); in 2002, he became only the fourth player ever to be ranked number one for the entire calendar year, and the seventh player to finish at that ranking in back-to-back years. In addition to his success in ATP events and Grand Slams, Hewitt is a key member of the Australian Davis Cup team with a 24-6 career Davis Cup record (22-5 in singles) since 1999. He was named Australia's male athlete of the year in 2002 at the Australian Sports Awards.

Below, all participants— Special Olympics athletes, volunteers, instructors — gather for a group photograph at the William H.G. Fitzgerald Tennis Center, a 7,500-seat facility in Rock Creek Park, a division of the National Park Service.