Hewitt, 75, was found guilty in March of two counts of rape and one of sexual assault on girls he was coaching in the 1980s and 1990s.
Judge Bert Bam in his judgement said at the time of Hewitt’s conviction that the striking similarities between the three victims’ testimonies showed that his conduct was calculated. He criticised the Austran born player for not even showing remorse during his trial.
One of the victims in her evidence pleaded before the judge that Mr.Hewitt had assaulted her when she was just 12 years.
Speaking at the sentencing in Pretoria, Hewitt”s wife pleaded the judge to not to award a custodial sentence. Hewitt had testified that he was suffering from poor health, the BBC News reports.
Hewitt, who was a multiple Grand Slam doubles champion in the 1960s and 1970s, is expected to appeal against his conviction and sentence.
He was suspended from the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2012 over the allegations.