Hewitt to fulfil Australian Rules dream

Wimbledon champion Lleyton Hewitt has reportedly been given permission to skip the final day of Australia's Davis Cup playoff against India in September to live out a sporting fantasy and play for his beloved Adelaide Crows Australian Rules team.

According to a report in Wednesday's Daily Telegraph newspaper, Australian Davis Cup captain John Fitzgerald will allow Hewitt to play for the Crows in the annual charity match against Port Adelaide, providing Australia have already clinched the tie 3-0.

Australia are due to face India in a World Group playoff tie in Hewitt's hometown on Adelaide from September 20-22 with the Australian Rules match to be played at Adelaide Oval on September 22.

Australia would need to win each of the opening singles rubbers as well as Saturday's doubles to take an unbeatable 3-0 lead heading into the final day.

Hewitt was a promising Australian Rules footballer before switching his focus to tennis and is a devoted fan of the Crows.

His father Glynn played top-flight Australian Rules and he told the newspaper that he expected his son to play well in the charity match.

"He's quick enough, he'll get the ball and he's skilful enough," Glynn was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, South Australian officials will have to postpone plans to honour Hewitt with a street parade after a spokesman for his management team said he wouldn't be back in Australia until September.

The spokeswoman told The Australian newspaper Hewitt was planning to have a short break in Europe before travelling to the United States next week to start preparing for the defence of his U.S. Open.

Hewitt will play lead-up events in Los Angeles, Toronto, Cincinnati and Indianapolis before heading to New York for the last Grand Slam of the year starting on August 26.

Also read: Lleyton Hewitt lifts his maiden Wimbledon trophy