The 2021 International Tennis Hall of Fame ballot has been set, with former World No.1 Lleyton Hewitt headlining the list along with several former ATP and WTA Stars.

Joining Hewitt on the ballot is 2003 Roland Garros champion Juan Carlos Ferrero, along with Spaniard Sergi Bruguera who claimed back-to-back titles in Paris in 1993 & 1994. Former doubles World No.1 Jonas Bjorkman is also included on the list, along with 11-time Grand Slam doubles champion Lisa Raymond.

“I’m incredibly honored and grateful to receive this nomination,” said Hewitt. “I had so many great Australians to look up to while I was coming up in the sport. To know that my career is up for consideration to be recognized alongside the likes of Hall of Famer’s Tony Roche, John Newcombe, Rod Laver, Roy Emerson, Ken Rosewall and so many other greats who I admired is just an amazing honor.”

Among those eligible for induction are the Original 9; a group of nine women who were pioneers in the creation of the modern-WTA. Fifty years ago, these ladies fought for the opportunity to allow women to compete in professional tennis and be taken as seriously as the men. The group consists of Americans Peaches Bartkowicz, Rosie Casals, Julie Heldman, Billie Jean King, Kristy Pigeon, Nancy Richey, Valerie Ziegenfuss, and Australians Judy Tegart Dalton and Kerry Melville Reid.

"In a time where defying the odds and having a voice is more important than ever, it’s extremely rewarding to see the impact the Original 9 made 50 years ago can still be felt around the world today," King, inducted herself as an individual in 1987, said.

The ballot will now go before the Official voting group, which consists of tennis journalists and Hall of Famers this fall. Furthermore, there will be a Fan Voting option that allows tennis fans the opportunity to give their input into who should be considered for a Hall of Fame induction.

The results of the ITHF Fan Vote will be announced at the conclusion of the voting period. The Class of 2021 Inductees will be announced in early 2021 with the Induction Ceremony slated to take place July 17, 2021.

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