[舊聞]Hewitt to sacrifice No.1
Hewitt to sacrifice No.1
By LEO SCHLINK
August 18, 2002
AUSTRALIA's world No.1 Lleyton Hewitt says the professional tennis
circuit is a badly-run "circus" and he'd rather stay at home and watch
the Adelaide Crows.
On the eve off the US Open the defending champion has blasted the ATP,
saying: "You have to ask why men's tennis is struggling and you have to
start by looking at the top.
"I'll change my schedule next year if the ATP keep up with this garbage.
"Next year I couldn't give two hoots about No1. There are times when you
feel like (walking away) and pulling on the boots and playing footy.
"It's a great sport -- if the ATP would just get out of the way."
In an amazing revelation from a man who rarely opens up to the media,
Hewitt said:
* He is considering legal action against the ATP after being fined almost
$200,000 for not doing a television interview before his first-round match
at last week's Cincinnati Tennis Masters.
* He regards the tour as "a circus" and is dismayed at the direction
professional tennis is heading under the ATP banner.
* Players are being burnt out prematurely by being forced to protect their
world rankings with ridiculous scheduling.
* He will only play lead-up tournaments to the grand slam and Davis Cup
events next year.
* He is relieved the ITF runs the grand slams, not the ATP.
* And he sometimes feels like he could walk away from tennis, instead
"pulling on the boots and playing football".
Hewitt, 21, has outlined plans to retain his world No1 ranking this year
before reassessing his commitment to the sport because of "harassment
from officials".
"When things happen like in Cincinnati, when you think about the way
everything has been run, it's just not much fun."
Hewitt has fired a volley at the ATP, insisting it has double-faulted
on a range of key issues.
"You look at what the ATP's done. They went ahead with the whole ISL deal,
which collapsed after they were warned the numbers didn't add up," he said.
"The bonus pool is lost, the whole player retirement fund has been put on
hold and the prizemoney is still coming down.
"The whole thing is disappointing. It's lucky the ITF (International Tennis
Federation) runs the grand slams, not the ATP."
Hewitt said he would sacrifice the No1 ranking to play fewer tournaments,
most of which would be used to peak for the grand slam events -- the
Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and US Open -- and Davis Cup.
"Wimbledon has set me up really well for this year and, after getting No1
last year, you get hungrier and you want it again," he said.
"But next year I'm going to try to peak for the majors, not go around to
chase so many smaller tournaments and put up with some of the ATP
requirements.
Sunday Telegraph
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