Hewitt cruises, will face Spadea San Jose Feb 18 * excellent article
Hewitt says his ankle feels much better, although against Arthurs, it was pretty much of a serve-and-return affair and he didn't have to run as much. Hewitt has one of the best returns of all time and once he got Arthurs into the tiebreak and made him plays a few low volleys, the passes were sure to come.

Hewitt has become quite an interesting character study. At times, he's vicious, but in a quiet way. At other times, he's pretty congenial, although he still insists on keeping a large amount of space between himself and the media through the "I-only-talk-in-press-conference" barrier (Leo Schlink, excepted, of course.).

But, he can give fairly thoughtful answers if he feels like you know your subject. If he doesn't, he'll fry you, like he did an Aussie TV reporter on Thursday who made a large boo-boo by asking him what he though about matching up with "Wayne Anthony." Hewitt thrashed her with a extremely patronizing look and few choice comments. In a sense, he was right: Don't come in looking for off-court material on wife, Bec, and baby, Mia, but pretend you are interested in the sport. Lay out your questions and let him go where he will. But he's good at sensing who's faking and after the "Wayne Anthony" exchange; it was "no comment" all the way to the wounded reporter.

Hewitt doesn't believe that Vince will grind him, but like he did in Sydney (where Hewitt dumped a set but still got through with the stomach flu). The Australian will try to play inside the baseline and go at him hard from the backhand side. He actually propped Vince in a big way, saying he owns one of the best backhands on tour. True, when he's zoning, but almost not every match, like Hewitt.

There's a very human side to Hewitt that occasionally comes through, maybe more so that he's now a dad. He's still a little too paranoid, but you have to like how he stands his ground. Maybe his parents still have to much influence on him, maybe he should realize that failing to greet people he knows is rude and maybe he should stop consistently defending himself and offer and apology once and a while. But, I'll take his willingness to at least challenge the establishment any day over the many players who take a go along to get along approach. That's as long as he's willing to take as much as he dishes out.

Fitter Hewitt on target for Davis Cup return

Leo Schlink
14feb06

LLEYTON Hewitt appears certain to rejoin Australia's suddenly buoyant Davis Cup campaign as Kooyong emerged as favourite to host the April quarter-final against Belarus.

World No. 11 Hewitt flew to San Jose, California, yesterday after practising for three days at Melbourne Park as Chris Guccione, Peter Luczak, Wayne Arthurs and Paul Hanley guided Australia to a famous 3-2 first-round success against Switzerland in Geneva.

Still not 100 per cent after straining ligaments in his left ankle, Hewitt will start the SAP Open in San Jose on Thursday.

Hewitt bypassed the Swiss tie because of injury, but intended sitting out the match because of his differences with Australian Open administrators.

Hewitt's coach Roger Rasheed and manager Rob Aivatoglou are optimistic Hewitt will resume his outstanding cup career from April 7-9 after contesting events in San Jose, Las Vegas, Indian Wells and Miami.

Hewitt's return to national ranks, and the probable selection of Kooyong, means Luczak or Guccione would be unfortunate casualties of a strengthened team.

Australian captain John Fitzgerald yesterday enthused about Hewitt's reinclusion as Australia's draw opened invitingly with the possibility of three successive home matches, including a final against arch rival US.

"For me, there's no political situation," Fitzgerald said, distancing himself from Hewitt's row with Open tournament director Paul McNamee about the court speed at Melbourne Park.

"I get on so well with Lleyton. He sent us a text message this morning. If his body is right, I'm sure he'll play (against Belarus).

"In terms of results, he's the best player Australia's ever produced. He's won more singles (27-6) than any other player so his service is unquestioned.

"It's probably fair to say with Roger (Federer), Lleyton's been the best player in Davis Cup in the world over the past seven years.
"He has an unbelievable record and we look forward to having him back."

Guccione's effort to down George Bastl 7-5 6-3 7-6 (9-7) in the decisive fifth rubber was celebrated into the night by an Australian team now contemplating a 29th championship.

Guccione, 20, clubbed 39 aces past Bastl, the last man to beat Pete Sampras at Wimbledon.

The Melbourne left-hander is the first Australian to win a live fifth Davis Cup rubber since Mark Philippoussis in 2000.

Guccione's performance left Fitzgerald in raptures.

"It is not often you have a chance to play in a live fifth rubber, and to win," Fitzgerald said. "I played Davis Cup for 10 years and only won once playing in a live fifth rubber.

"What Chris has done today is something very special. It may take a few days to sink in but it will always be a highlight.

"This guy has been a bit under the radar. I don't think people know how good a player Chris is yet. Today he had a fantastic presence on the court."

Kooyong (grass or Rebound Ace), Adelaide (grass or Rebound Ace) and Canberra (Rebound Ace) were yesterday touted as potential venues for the match against Belarus.

Kooyong, the spiritual home of Australian tennis, was last night a clear-cut favourite.

A board meeting on Monday will decide the issue.

Belarus relies on Max Mirnyi, the massive serve-volleyer known as The Beast, and Vladimir Voltchkov, ranked 301st in the world but a magnificent cup performer.

Belarus, which won 4-1 in Minsk against a Spanish outfit missing Rafael Nadal and Juan Carlos Ferrero, has won its past 11 home matches, while Australia has won 10 of its past 13 ties at home.
 

Australian tennis ices its sore ankle as the women dazzle us at last

January 27, 2006

TENNIS is full of cons and myths. Tennis Australia might boast it is the most important body in the game in this country when it really isn't. Nothing like it.

The most influential body in tennis is 180cm tall and weighs 77kg.

It belongs to Little Lleyton.

The Australian No.1 is out of the Davis Cup. He cites an ankle problem. It must be noted that Little Lleyton was equivocal about his availability well before he hurt his ankle. That he can point to it as a reason for his withdrawal makes the decision easier. A little reflection over his comments this past month, and the lack of any from the tennis hierarchy, suggest he was never going to play in the tie against Switzerland.

Hewitt's superiority to any other player in this country has allowed his camp to manage most of what is done to the sport in this country. Officials have been in his thrall since he was 15. Since Pat Rafter's influence waned, the Davis Cup appears to have been Hewitt's personal fiefdom.

No one in any official capacity has dared criticise him in case he took his racquet and ball then headed back home.

The tennis community, in hushed tones, is all but of one whisper that Hewitt is disgruntled over several issues and that he has not been appeased. And so he may well have turned his back on his country in protest.

With Hewitt injured Australia may as well be represented by two golden retrievers and a cocker spaniel. That is not a slap at Peter Luczak and others who will step into Hewitt's shoes, just an honest appraisal. But nor is it a slap at golden retrievers. They get more balls back than most Australian men.

The only thing with which Hewitt cannot have his way is the speed of the court surface at the Australian Open. It is because Paul McNamee's Grand Slam event would go ahead successfully without Little Lleyton. The Davis Cup cannot.

No one should dare begrudge Hewitt his decision, no matter for what reason it has been made. He has given everything to represent Australia and it has been done with skill and rare courage. We should be proud of his record.

He is entitled to take time out to consolidate his ranking, which is on the skids; to work on a game that is in immediate danger of being overrun by a volley of his contemporaries. He has paid his dues many times over. It just leaves Tennis Australia, sport's ultimate sycophant, to waddle behind him and pick up the pieces.

If the status of Tennis Australia is a myth, then the depth of the women's game is a con. We have been told regularly that the talent pool deepens by the day. This Australian Open has proved that to be an unsustainable position.

The quarter-finals should have been an embarrassment to the women's tour. Patty Schnyder, ranked eighth in the world, could win but three games. Lindsay Davenport and Henin-Hardenne threw unforced errors at each other; Nadia Petrova choked on her own nerve ends and the Kim Clijsters-Martina Hingis clash was valued more for what it represented than what it actually produced.

At this tournament the men and women share a prize-money pool of $12,980,480. The winners of the singles both take home $1,220,000. The losing quarter-finalists all pocket $152,500.

If the arithmetic of prizemoney is best decided by skill multiplied by court time then the fact that nearly $13million is equally distributed between men and women is an outrage. But the issue is best assessed by considering not what women take from the tournament but rather what they bring to it.

Organisers will tell you it is plenty. Glamour, fashion, sex appeal and gossip are all in the mix. Combined, they drive ticket sales, media coverage and television ratings. Ultimately, though, it is the skill level of the women that deserves the top dollars. The distraction is that we must cut deep into the tournament to discover it.

It is nonsense that women's tennis talent runs deep. Only yesterday, when the field of 128 had been pared down to the semi-finals, did we see exceptional levels of skill and endurance. All four players - Maria Sharapova and Henin-Hardenne, Clijsters and Amelie Mauresmo - have been ranked No.1 in the world.

Sharapova lost a mighty contest with Henin-Hardenne that lasted nearly two-and-a-half hours. The Russian came into this tournament barely over a serious rib injury and was once again confronted by comments - this time by John Newcombe - that her constant grunting was a form of cheating because it disguised the sound of the ball on her racquet.

This was a debate whose time has come and gone. It was mused about but not addressed by players or officials when Sharapova made her debut in 2001. It would be grossly unfair to make it an issue in 2006.

However, tennis has a responsibility to act on the behaviour of her father, Yuri, who called out during a rally in yesterday's match. It irked Henin-Hardenne at the time and made for an uncomfortable media showdown for his daughter after the match. If Yuri cannot keep his mouth shut then he should be banned from the arena.

Clijsters could not finish her match against Mauresmo. It was an unsatisfactory end in that an even, sparkling match was not played until the death. But it has given Mauresmo, a gifted but vulnerable woman, a second chance for an Australian Open. She above everyone else who played here deserves a Grand Slam victory. If she can believe in herself when the final against Henin-Hardenne inevitably swells against her then she might have her moment.

Women's tennis did not need to be redeemed at this Open. But it did need to be seen in its right light. It dazzled yesterday.

Fatherhood no impact to my game: Hewitt

January 15, 2006 - 3:04PM

Tennis ace Lleyton Hewitt denies the pressures of fatherhood have affected his game ahead of the Australian Open.

Hewitt, who was at Crown Casino in Melbourne to launch the 2006 Aussie Millions poker tournament, said he was looking forward to playing at the Open.

Hewitt, number-three seed at this year's Open and the losing finalist last year to Russian Marat Safin, has drawn Czech player Robin Vik in his first round match on Tuesday.

"I'll get out there on Tuesday and I'm hoping to make the final," Hewitt said.

Hewitt was beaten for the first time ever at the Sydney International tennis tournament last week, when he crashed out 4-6 7-5 7-5 to Italian Andreas Seppi.

It was Hewitt's first loss in 23 matches at the tournament, which he has won four times, and the first time he has been beaten on a hardcourt at the venue since the Sydney Olympics.

His premature exit followed a shock second-round loss to German Philipp Kohlschreiber at the Adelaide International earlier this month.

Hewitt denied a suggestion his form had been affected by his dramatic lifestyle change in the past 12 months, which saw him marry soapie star Bec Cartwright and then become a father to
daughter Mia.

"I don't know about pressure, I wouldn't say there's pressure... fatherhood just puts everything into perspective," he told reporters.

The 24-year-old also said age was no barrier and he was happy with his fitness. "I'll get out there and give it everything, age is certainly no barrier," he said.

Hewitt, who turned up for the launch in a baggy white t-shirt and long denim shorts, was missing his trademark baseball cap.

"I had a bit of a trim (hair cut) so I don't need to use it," he said.

Hardworking Hewitt quiet on his family

LLEYTON Hewitt stopped and politely autographed a hat and then answered the question that was posed by volunteer Jeanette Byrnes, but is on the lips of all his supporters. "How is the baby going?"

"Ahh, good," he said, as he headed into the Sydney International Tennis Centre. He didn't whip a photo out of his wallet, or comment that she was a restless sleeper or just starting to roll over … but that is because he is not allowed to. Hewitt has sold his daughter's image and any news of her to a women's magazine for a multimillion-dollar figure.

Even responding to a polite query from a stranger could be construed, in a legal sense, as breaking the contract that neither he nor his wife, Bec, will comment on or be put in a position where other media outlets can take photos of little Mia.

So there was the ridiculous situation at the Adelaide International last week where Hewitt's mother-in-law was minding the baby in a room blacked out by garbage bags so cameras could not pry, with Bub swathed in a light sheet.

This week, when Hewitt tries to play himself into some form for the coming Australian Open, it is likely Bec Hewitt will once again be in the players' box. Tournament organisers say they are unaware of any special requests for a baby room, but one would be provided if desired.

Hewitt must sometimes ponder the massive change in his life. At this competition 12 months ago, he was beginning his courtship of Bec. Now married and a father, Hewitt the tennis player is back on court, teenage girls not caring about his attached status. "What is he wearing?" asked one teenager watching Hewitt hit practice balls with Swede Thomas Johansson. "Oh," she said. "He's got his shirt on."

Hewitt's touch was slightly off: too many balls were hitting the net for his liking and he remarked to coach Roger Rasheed that the court surface was very bouncy.

But his movement was smooth and later, Hewitt told Channel Seven he and Rasheed had worked harder than ever in preparation for the Australian Open.

"You've got to be really ready to go because you can get any kind of conditions down in Melbourne and we saw how important fitness came into it last year," Hewitt said.

He said he had tried some new training methods to reach peak condition. "Yeah, we'll keep it under wraps, but Roger and I have trained pretty hard in December."

LLEYTON Hewitt stopped and politely autographed a hat and then answered the question that was posed by volunteer Jeanette Byrnes, but is on the lips of all his supporters. "How is the baby going?"

"Ahh, good," he said, as he headed into the Sydney International Tennis Centre. He didn't whip a photo out of his wallet, or comment that she was a restless sleeper or just starting to roll over … but that is because he is not allowed to. Hewitt has sold his daughter's image and any news of her to a women's magazine for a multimillion-dollar figure.

Even responding to a polite query from a stranger could be construed, in a legal sense, as breaking the contract that neither he nor his wife, Bec, will comment on or be put in a position where other media outlets can take photos of little Mia.

So there was the ridiculous situation at the Adelaide International last week where Hewitt's mother-in-law was minding the baby in a room blacked out by garbage bags so cameras could not pry, with Bub swathed in a light sheet.

This week, when Hewitt tries to play himself into some form for the coming Australian Open, it is likely Bec Hewitt will once again be in the players' box. Tournament organisers say they are unaware of any special requests for a baby room, but one would be provided if desired.

Hewitt must sometimes ponder the massive change in his life. At this competition 12 months ago, he was beginning his courtship of Bec. Now married and a father, Hewitt the tennis player is back on court, teenage girls not caring about his attached status. "What is he wearing?" asked one teenager watching Hewitt hit practice balls with Swede Thomas Johansson. "Oh," she said. "He's got his shirt on."

Hewitt's touch was slightly off: too many balls were hitting the net for his liking and he remarked to coach Roger Rasheed that the court surface was very bouncy.

But his movement was smooth and later, Hewitt told Channel Seven he and Rasheed had worked harder than ever in preparation for the Australian Open.

"You've got to be really ready to go because you can get any kind of conditions down in Melbourne and we saw how important fitness came into it last year," Hewitt said.

He said he had tried some new training methods to reach peak condition. "Yeah, we'll keep it under wraps, but Roger and I have trained pretty hard in December."

Fit Hewitt knows secret to Australian Open success
Leo Schlink
31dec05

LLEYTON Hewitt yesterday retreated into an Australian Open vacuum, vowing not to be distracted by the prospect of a late-round Melbourne Park clash with nemesis Roger Federer next month.

Declaring he was physically and mentally primed to repeat the 2005 heroics which ended with a four-set defeat in the centenary Open to Marat Safin in January, Hewitt resumes at the Adelaide

International at Memorial Drive next week.

Describing himself as a better player than the one who almost broke Australia's 29-year Open drought, Hewitt denied his long absence from competition would hurt his grand slam chances.

And he refused to buy into speculation he is finally poised to end a nine-match losing streak to world No. 1 Federer, insisting he won't be ambushed by long-range forecasts.

"Last year everyone wanted to talk about me playing Roger Federer," Hewitt said.

"To do that, I have to get deep into the tournament and you have to beat a lot of good players to be there. It's not easy.

"One of the things that really helped me last summer was the groin injury I had at the Australian Open.

"It actually helped me focus on what was in front of me. The injury helped me concentrate on each match as it came.

"You can't afford to get carried away when people are talking about you playing Federer, Safin or (Rafael) Nadal in the final or semi-finals of a grand slam.

"There are too many good players out there for anybody to be thinking you're going to play Federer, Safin or Nadal in a final and that's a good way to be.

"I'm going into the Australian summer confident, but not over-confident. I'll be approaching it with the same mind-set as last time."

Hewitt has not played since the Thai Open in September because of groin soreness, a toe operation and the birth last month of daughter Mia.

But he has recaptured the fitness which impressed many of his rivals last January during a 10-week training block under coach Roger Rasheed.

Intense practice with Davis Cup teammates Peter Luczak and Todd Reid has left Hewitt feeling he is in better condition than 11 months ago.

"I feel like I'm maybe a bit better player going into Adelaide this time than back in January," he said. "I struggled here last year (losing in the quarter-finals) and then played a couple of really good matches in Sydney but then I got injured.

"The draw at the Australian Open couldn't have been much tougher and I got through to the final against Marat and was up a break in the third set.

"I was pretty close to winning the whole thing."

Safin, struggling to be ready to defend the title because of chronic left knee soreness, exploded late to snatch the title from Hewitt's grasp.

Hewitt believes he will be most vulnerable in Adelaide, because of his lay-off.

But he pointed to his effort to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals in only his second tournament in four months as the highlight of his 2005 season.

"That (performance) meant a lot because I'd had a toe operation and broken a rib and hadn't played since March, apart from Queen's," he said.

"I know the first couple of matches in Adelaide will be difficult because, although you've been playing a lot of practice sets with Todd Reid and Peter Luczak, it's different out there with the linesmen and the ball kids.

"It will probably take me a little while to get going.

"I'm looking for matches in Adelaide and Sydney."

Hewitt played only 10 rankings points tournaments last season and still finished as world No. 4.

He will play a lot more events in 2006, returning to the French Open which he missed with a rib injury last May.

And he is confident he has the conditioning to survive the next month.

"It's been great that I've been able to train in the heat over the past few weeks. I'm prepared for whatever is thrown at me over the summer," Hewitt said.

With injury doubts over Safin, Nadal and four-time winner Andre Agassi, Hewitt is second favourite at $8 with TAB Sportsbet to win the Open behind Federer ($1.65).