Game, set and marriage for Hewitt and Clijsters

Tennis stars Lleyton Hewitt and Kim Clijsters are to marry following Hewitt's proposal during a cruise in Sydney Harbour.

The Australian former Wimbledon champion and the Belgian player - ranked No2 in the world - became officially engaged on Tuesday, Hewitt's management company Octagon has confirmed, although no wedding date has been announced.

"It was a special evening together in one of the most beautiful cities in the world," said Hewitt, 22. "We couldn't have asked for more." Clijsters, 20, was said to be "overjoyed" - and taken aback by the lengths Hewitt had gone to in order to make it the perfect proposal.

"Lleyton did surprise me a bit but I couldn't be happier," Clijsters said.

"He has always been one to pay great attention to detail but I think he outdid himself this time. It was amazing." The pair announced they were dating in mid-2000 at the French Open and two weeks later played the final of the Wimbledon mixed doubles.

They have been drawn to play against each other for their respective countries at next month's Hopman Cup in Perth - part of their preparation for next month's Australian Open in Melbourne.

Hewitt, who finished the year 16th in the ATP Tour's Champions Race, played in Australia's Davis Cup winning team last month.

Hewitt and Clijsters are the most highprofile playing couple. They are already a tennis double act, the highlight being their appearance together in the mixed doubles final at Wimbledon in 2000.

Sports insiders believe they could become the world's most marketable tennis couple.