For many Bob Hewitt, has been a legendary tennis star who had to his credit all Grand Slam doubles titles, both the Men's Doubles Grand Slam titles as well as the Mixed Doubles Grand Slam titles (U.S. Open, Wimbledon, Australian Open, French Open). He has also been central to South Africa's only Davis Cup title in 1974. Besides, Bob and seven singles titles and 65 doubles.
Bob Hewitt through the timeline of his life
Bob began his tennis career in 1958 as an amateur turned professional in 1970 and retired from active tennis in 1983. However, he continued to extend tennis lessons to young tennis enthusiasts including children.
Hewitt with eh Hall of Fame plaque
During his career he rose to no.6 ranking of the tennis world in me's singles in 1962 and no.1 in the doubles ranking also in 1962. For these achievements, his name was included in the coveted Tennis Hall of Fame.
This is how he was known to the ordinary.
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But this was the Mr Hyde face of Bob Witt. Going over his Dr Jackal face, he has been a molester and sex abuser of his female tennis students whom he coached and sexually harassed in private tennis sessions and lessons. Nearly a dozen women in South Africa and the United States have accused Hewitt of sexual misconduct from the 1970s to the 1990s. Some of the victims were as young as 11 and 12, while he was coaching them.
Hewitt, 72 presently runs a citrus farm in the Eastern Cape and has remained largely silent on the sex abuse. But a thorough investigation by the World Hall of Fame has found of involved in dubious activities including sexual molestation and harassment of his students and has on 16 November 2012 been stripped of his accolade in the International Tennis Hall of Fame and from this day on his legacy ceases to exist in the Hall of Fame. His plaque will be removed from the Hall of Fame and his name will be removed from the official website.
Thus ends the glory of a Hall of Famer in shame.
