C'mon, Lleyton's ready to go now
C'mon, Lleyton's ready to go now
Bruce Matthews
20nov03
DAVIS Cup coach Wally Masur believes Lleyton Hewitt is ready right now to go
into combat against Spain.
Masur said the team had to devise ways to keep the Wimbledon and US Open
champion fresh, even ordering him to hit the golf course instead of the tennis
court in the build-up to next week's final.
"The ball is coming off his racquet so sweetly. If we had to play this match
in two or three days' time, Lleyton's ready," Masur said.
"Our biggest job will be holding him back and getting it right for Friday
(week) because he has done the work."
Hewitt again emphasised his almost fanatical commitment to the final with a
spirited two-hour match-simulated practice session against team hitting
partner Todd Reid at Kooyong yesterday.
The deposed world No. 1 was even into a smattering of his familiar 'c'mon'
clenched-fist salutes after blazing winners past the Wimbledon junior champion.
Despite not playing a match since his epic five-set win over Swiss ace Roger
Federer in the cup semi-final in September, Hewitt is the most advanced of
the Australian players, while the Spanish are yet to start preparations on
grass here.
"A few people questioned his preparation and the bottom line, if you decide
to take some time off and work, that's great. But you have to do the work.
And it's pretty apparent he has done the work," Masur said.
"He's loaded up. He has done the lot. He has almost had like a pre-season.
"He has been committed to this tie almost from the moment he beat Federer in
September.
"He has been working consistently on certain aspects of his game on the court
and off the court.
"He has been working with Roger Rasheed in Adelaide and I take my hat off to
him. He has delivered him ready to go."
Masur dismissed concerns Hewitt might have peaked too soon, pointing out that
he and captain John Fitzgerald could pull him back in the team environment
with Mark Philippoussis, Todd Woodbridge and Wayne Arthurs over the next week.
"It's fine. That's why a team environment is good because he'll also play some
doubles against Todd and Wayne and there's different aspects of team training,"
Masur said.
"He'll do things leading up to these matches that he wouldn't do at a grand
slam. That's what keeps you fresh; there's something different every day.
"You take him to golf or do something else. Look, he really is very close to
being ready to play. So that's pretty encouraging for us."
Woodbridge agreed that timing was critical to be performing at maximum level
on the days that matter most.
"But if there's one guy who can cope with that, it's him. He doesn't dwell on
much and he has the confidence to walk out and hit the ball well straight up,"
Woodbridge said.
"I don't think it's going to bother him. The only problem is if you get a bit
nervous, and he doesn't normally get nervous."
Reid was left in awe of Hewitt's power and placement nine days out from the
final.
"He's really eager to win this and it's pretty tough out there. He's getting
back every ball and pumping his fist even in practice. It's really something,"
the youngster said.
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