Hewitt coach brings new approach
Hewitt coach brings new approach
By Jonathan Overend
BBC Tennis reporter
Sometimes the job of tennis coach can involve little more than booking the
practice court and ordering the players' box tickets.
Every coach knows it's not always about the intricacies of a topspin forehand.
But Roger Rasheed brings his own unique qualities to the job of coaching
Lleyton Hewitt.
And emergency doubles partner is the latest addition to the job spec.
When Mark Philippoussis withdrew from the ABN-AMRO tournament in Rotterdam
last month, Hewitt was left searching for a team-mate.
Unexpectedly, he paired up with Rasheed, who hadn't played for 11 years, to
beat Ramon Sluiter and Martin Verkerk in straight sets.
"I actually said to Roger, when I heard Mark wasn't going to be coming, that
maybe we could have a game," Hewitt revealed.
"Everybody thought it was a bit of a joke, except for Richard Krajicek [the
tournament director] who was good enough to give us a wild card. He had faith
in us."
Rasheed added: "We were making out it was a Davis Cup tie, having a bit of
fun with it.
"We rang John Fitzgerald, our Davis Cup captain, and said 'have a look at the
result'.
"He thought we'd win three or four games and couldn't believe it when he saw
we'd won."
Rumours that Mr Fitzgerald has to hand over a sizeable cash sum, wagered on
the outcome, couldn't be confirmed.
Rasheed and Hewitt were mates way back when in Adelaide, South Australia.
A decent player himself, Rasheed's career was halted through injury when he
was just 24.
After a spell as fitness trainer, Rasheed was promoted to the top job in May,
after the French Open, when Hewitt split from Jason Stoltenburg.
"He's a very positive guy, a great motivator," said Hewitt.
"Fitness-wise he's brought a lot to the table, much more than being just a
tennis coach.
"We also get on very well and in tennis, that's probably the main thing."
Rasheed's keywords seem to be "aggression" and "excitement".
They sum up both his larger-than-life personality and Hewitt's new-look
all-action game.
"It's about taking a few more risks, adding a few more shots which he can use
at different points of matches," Rasheed said.
"It should add a bit more excitement to his tennis and Lleyton, once he gets
the adrenalin and is excited by what's going on, is a very hard man to beat."
Hewitt, speaking independently, said: "I am trying to be a bit more aggressive.
"I want to take the initiative more when I get the first hit in and I think
that's been happening since the US Open and my match with Ferrero."
The 2002 Wimbledon champion took time off from the tour after Flushing Meadows,
primarily to focus on the Davis Cup semi-final and final - which Australia won
spectacularly against Spain.
But he also took stock of his individual game and made the necessary
modifications.
He admits that, on the 11-month-a-year tennis tour, some time off is useful,
if you can afford it.
So 2003 was all about the emergence of young, first-time Grand Slam winners -
Ferrero, Federer and Roddick.
But anyone writing Hewitt off as a name from the past should reconsider.
"I still think he's a fair way from being the player he can be," said his
excited coach.
"I don't think he's peaked by a long shot. He's a couple of years away from
playing his best tennis."
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