Rafter says Hewitt will scale heights again
Rafter says Hewitt will scale heights again
Leo Schlink 03feb04
PAT Rafter predicts a swift return to the top five for Lleyton Hewitt as the
former world champion prepares to lead Australia into Davis Cup battle this
weekend.
Rafter, who last night returned to singles competition for the first time in
more than two years when he played an exhibition against Swede Mats Wilander
in Townsville, does not believe Hewitt is a spent force.
"No way," Rafter said in reaction to the critics who interpreted Hewitt's
fourth-round Open loss to
Roger Federer as a sign that the South Australian's career was on the wane.
"The game is changing all the time and I saw that at the Australian Open,
but Lleyton will always find a way to win.
"At the moment, Roger Federer is the No. 1 player in the world, but it
doesn't take much to change things.
"Lleyton is a great player and he ran into Roger Federer at the Australian
Open at the wrong time. He didn't play badly and he's always looking for
ways to improve his game.
"He's going to be a force for a long time."
Hewitt was ranked No. 1 in the world for 75 weeks, a period in which he
won two majors and two Masters Cups.
The baseliner's mark fell to No. 17 at the end of a season blighted by
injury, but has since rebounded to No. 11.
The optimism surrounding the renaissance that started with a magnificent
Davis Cup semi-final win over Federer and a tournament victory in Sydney
faded after his Open defeat to Federer. But Rafter had no doubt his former
Davis Cup teammate would soon regain a single-digit ranking.
Rafter paid scant heed to theories Hewitt did not have the power to
compete with Andy Roddick, Marat Safin, Juan Carlos Ferrero, Federer
and rising Spaniard Rafael Nadal.
"Lleyton's taken on bigger, stronger guys throughout his career and he's
done very well," Rafter said.
"He has his own way of winning and, although the game is changing all
the time, he's moving with it."
Rafter, who returned briefly to ATP and grand slam competition in doubles
with fellow Queenslander Josh Eagle, warned Australia would have its hands
full with Sweden from Friday.
Hewitt, Mark Philippoussis, Wayne Arthurs and Todd Woodbridge combined
to thump Wilander's Swedes 5-0 in Malmo in April, but will strike greater
resistance this time.
"Davis Cup is always tricky," Rafter said. "It doesn't matter who you
play or what their rankings might be.
"I expect us to win with the players we have, but you never underestimate
the Swedes."
Hewitt and Philippoussis are likely to be confronted in singles by Thomas
Enqvist and Jonas Bjorkman.
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