Scud defends Hewitt
Scud defends Hewitt
By Paul Mulvey
July 01, 2003
MARK Philippoussis made a passionate defence of Davis Cup teammate
Lleyton Hewitt today in response to criticism both players received
about the role of their parents in their careers.
Philippoussis was queried for sacking coach Peter McNamara in March
and reinstalling his father Nick in the role.
Meanwhile, critics called for former world No.1 Hewitt to break his
parents' reins after his shock first round Wimbledon exit last week.
After downing Andre Agassi in five sets to advance to the Wimbledon
quarterfinals, Philippoussis was asked whether his form vindicated
his decision to have his father as coach.
"I honestly don't listen to that because that's so silly," he said.
"I mean, I've been with my dad since I was six years old. He's the
one that taught me to play tennis. It's just a lot of negative stuff
I don't listen to.
"Just like Lleyton, the guy's No.1 in the world two years in a row,
he loses a match, everyone is on his case like he should drop his
parents, that's ridiculous. I felt bad for him. I just want him to
keep his head up.
"Everyone loves you when you're winning. You lose a match and no-one
jumps on the bandwagon."
Many critics, including former Wimbledon champions Boris Becker, Pat
Cash and Ashley Cooper said Hewitt's parents, who travel to almost
every tournament with the 22-year-old, should take a step back.
Others have also criticised Philippoussis's decision to employ only
his father, who has travelled with him for the majority of his tennis
career apart from two years when he was fighting cancer, as his coach.
He said after today's win that his father had not applied any different
methods other than to restore the instinctive, power game he felt he
had lost in a couple of years with McNamara.
"I've just been working hard. We've been working hard all year, hard
on my fitness. It's starting to pay off, it's as simple as that,"
Philippoussis said.
"You've got to understand my dad's always been there. In the past he
hasn't been well enough to travel with me.
"We went back to basics, as simple as that.
"When things aren't going your way, you're struggling, I think the
best thing to do is go back to basics. That's the way I've been training.
"That's my thought process on the court. Just think about what I used
to do when I was younger.
"When I was 18, 19, you're on the tour, you just get on tour, you're so
hungry, you have no fear. You just swing and go for second serve aces.
"But that's my game. I am the kind of guy that's going for risks. I play
with instinct."
Philippoussis senior would not take any credit for his son's form.
"I don't speak to anyone. I never speak to anyone, but I love you all,"
he said when approached by journalists.
Philippoussis, 26, regularly trains with Hewitt and has been playing
doubles with him recently and admits he has learnt a lot from his
younger friend.
"His work ethic, he's great on the court," he said.
"His intensity is awesome. We have fun on the doubles court, practice
court. Definitely a lot of things you can take away from him."
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