Hewitt bids to salvage season
Hewitt bids to salvage season
By Caroline Cheese
Lleyton Hewitt's two-year reign as world number one was partly built on his
unrivalled will to win.
In recent weeks, the player who seeks inspiration from the Rocky film series
would appear to have run out of fight.
In a surprise first-round defeat to Xavier Malisse at the Cincinnati Masters,
Hewitt was barely recognisable as the player who has received equal amounts
of admiration and consternation for his aggressive nature on court.
Afterwards, Hewitt said his legs felt tired and that he did not feel 100% -
but this is the year in which the Australian has elected to cut down his
schedule to ensure he is in prime shape for Grand Slam competition and the
Davis Cup.
So far, he has failed to reach a Grand Slam quarter-final and suffered the
ignominy of a first-round exit at Wimbledon.
He has lost his world number one status, dropping to sixth, and is in danger
of missing the season-ending Masters Cup in Houston, which features the
eight best-performing players of the year.
With the US Open looming, the Australian will have to perform a turnaround
of near Pete Sampras-like proportions if he is not to end the year
an also-ran.
The ever-defensive Hewitt refuses to discuss matters away from the court,
but it is hard to believe he has not been affected by ongoing distractions
behind the scenes.
After a solid enough start to the season, Hewitt uncharacteristically lost
a two-set lead against Tommy Robredo at the French Open and crashed out in
the third round.
A week later, Jason Stoltenberg quit his role as coach to spend more time
with his family and he was replaced by little-known former pro Roger Rasheed.
And only days after that bombshell, Hewitt began legal action against the
ATP over a fine he received for failing to carry out a compulsory interview
in 2002 - a row which still has not been resolved.
Stoltenberg told a newspaper that Hewitt was not immune to the "stress and
constant pressure" of life as one of the world's best tennis players and
admitted that it could explain a series of illnesses the 22-year-old has
suffered.
While his career has faltered, Hewitt's personal life continues to flourish -
but critics have even pounced on his relationship with women's world number
one Kim Clijsters as another unhealthy distraction.
The devoted Hewitt stayed at Roland Garros after his demise against Robredo
to see Clijsters reach the final - meaning the Australian did not arrive in
London to defend his Queen's title until Sunday evening.
After his opening day humiliation, most observers expected Hewitt to put as
much distance between himself and Wimbledon as possible - but he was an
ever-present in the players' box as Clijsters reached the semi-finals.
While Clijsters claims she benefits from watching men's tennis, and
occasionally practising with her boyfriend, it is difficult to imagine Hewitt
gains anything from his time viewing the women's game.
And as Clijsters heads to Flushing Meadows as the new world number one and
favourite for the title, former champion Hewitt is only fourth favourite in
the men's event.
Hewitt says he is not concerned about his form - pointing to Sampras'
dramatic revival this time last year as his inspiration.
"Grand Slams are different," he said. "If you can get through a few matches,
the draw opens up and you get confident.
"You just need a little bit of luck early, you get through those opening
matches and you never know what could happen."
But in this indifferent form, Hewitt will need to rediscover his trademark
battling qualities fast if he is to avoid another early Grand Slam exit and
a sorry end to a disappointing year.
LLEYTON'S LOWS
20 January: loses to Younes El Aynaoui at Australian Open
22 March: blames defeat to Francisco Clavet in Miami on illness
31 May: loses to Tommy Robredo at French Open
8 June: coach Jason Stoltenberg quits
18 June: begins legal action against ATP
23 June: loses in first round at Wimbledon
12 August: loses to Xavier Malisse in Cincinnati opener
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