Hewitt Ready to Prove Wimbledon Point
Hewitt Ready to Prove Wimbledon Point
By Pritha Sarkar
LONDON (Reuters) - Lleyton Hewitt walks on to the hallowed Wimbledon lawns
later this month with a point to prove.
Twelve months ago he had entered the world's greatest grasscourt tournament
with his head held high, ready to begin the defense of his men's singles
title in the traditional opening match on Center Court.
The champion's stay, however, lasted only two hours 24 minutes.
In one of the biggest shocks in tennis history, little-known Croatian Ivo
Karlovic ripped the Wimbledon trophy out of Hewitt's hands in the first
round, leaving the shattered Australian to make a hasty exit from the All
England Club.
Hewitt became the first Wimbledon men's champion to stumble at the first
hurdle since the sport turned professional in 1968.
"Obviously it was a disappointment sitting out those two weeks but the good
thing in tennis is that you've always got a big event to look forward to and
I focused on the hardcourt season after that," Hewitt said at London's Queen's
Club on Saturday.
"(But) I feel like I'm hitting the ball well and am confident in my own game.
It's been good preparation for me before a grand slam," the Australian, added
referring his progress to the last four of the Stella Artois Championships.
Hewitt had started 2003 as the world number one and with the Wimbledon title
in his possession.
By the end of the year, he was neither a grand slam champion nor a member of
the ATP's top 10, finishing ranked 17th.
While Hewitt decided to dedicate himself to Australia's Davis Cup cause by
curtailing his schedule on the ATP tour, players such as Roger Federer and
Andy Roddick took over, winning three grand slam titles between them in the
space of seven months.
Roddick, however, is under no illusion about Hewitt's chances of claiming a
second Wimbledon crown come July 4.
"The only reason Lleyton isn't at the top because he's been more selective
with what events he plays. He's sure up there with the best," Roddick said
after beating Hewitt 7-6 6-3 in the Stella Artois semis.
With his 2003 Wimbledon humiliation now just a distant memory, Hewitt is
determined to prove that he can once again capture the major titles.
"Grand slams are always tough to win as you've got be on top of your game for
seven five-set matches," the 23-year-old said.
"Hopefully I can keep improving and sharpening up my game and be ready Monday
week."
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C'm on!!! Hewitt!!!
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