Tennis ace in Summer Bay

Aussie tennis star Lleyton Hewitt is reportedly making his acting debut in soap Home and Away.

10:25 10 April 2005

Aussie tennis star Lleyton Hewitt is reportedly making his acting debut in soap Home and Away.

The temperamental player is starring as himself, alongside real-life fiancee Bec Cartwright, as a "mysterious" man in the Summer Bay diner, the Australian press reports.

Appearing in two episodes to be aired later this summer, producers are hoping that the player, ranked number two in the world, and his 23-year-old new actress girlfriend will attract more viewers.

Channel 7's head of drama, John Homes, said: "I think you would have to say Lleyton Hewitt at the moment is one of the hottest tennis players in the world."

He added: "When he's in front of the camera, there's a quality there that comes at you and you obviously see that when he is in his element on the court.

"He's full of confidence and that confidence comes straight through."

Mr Homes added that Hewitt would bring considerable star power to Home and Away and could even be offered a full-time role.

"Maybe once the tennis is finished, maybe then he'll come along," he concluded.