Rebecca Cartwright and Greg Norman were among the 15,000 fans at Rod Laver Arena rooting for Lleyton Hewitt on Sunday night. AP
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SYDNEY, Australia (AP) -- Lleyton Hewitt proposed to his girlfriend, actress Rebecca Cartwright, following his defeat in the Australian Open tennis final, the couple said in a statement Monday.

The couple's agents confirmed the engagement and said Hewitt asked Cartwright to marry him after being beaten in four sets by Russia's Marat Safin in the men's final Sunday.

"Stephen Harmon from Encompass Management and Justine Cohen from Octagon confirmed Lleyton Hewitt and Bec Cartwright's engagement following the Australian Open finals," a statement said.

"Lleyton and Bec met five years ago at a Starlight Foundation charity tennis day and rekindled their relationship late last year. The couple were instantly committed to each other and their close connection has been well documented in the media through their public acknowledgment and mutual support.

"Bec proudly revealed the ring presented to her by Lleyton earlier this evening to overjoyed family and friends at the post-tennis final celebrations."

Channel Seven reported that Cartwright, an actress on the Australian soap opera "Home and Away," had had no advance warning, but Hewitt was prepared with a "big diamond."

Both Cartwright and Hewitt recently ended long-term relationships.

Hewitt was engaged to Belgian tennis player Kim Clijsters before that four-year relationship ended last October. Cartwright split with actor boyfriend Beau Brady late last year.

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