Rejuvenated Hewitt eyes last phase of his career

Lleyton Hewitt says the layoff following hip surgery has revitalised him for the last phase of his tennis career and he still hopes to claim an Australian Open title.

The former world No.1 has slipped to a distant 69th in the world rankings this week but is more immediately concerned with preparation for his 13th Australian Open campaign in January.

“Probably in a couple of weeks’ time I’ll actually get on court for the first time,” Hewitt told Foxsports today.

“Rochey (coach Tony Roche) and I will just start lightly in the first couple of weeks and then I’ll just build it up.”

Hewitt plans to resume from his post-Beijing Olympics surgery in the Hopman Cup mixed teams event in Perth in early January then play the Sydney International in the lead up to the Australian Open starting on January 19.

The former Wimbledon and US Open champion admitted he may be a little “short” on match preparation going into the grand slam event.

But motivation is not an issue as he attempts to improve on his 2005 runner-up result behind Marat Safin.

“This spell that I have been forced to have because of the hip surgery, the last three or four months has actually given me time to reflect and freshen up for sort of the last phase of my career as well, the next few years,” he said.

“To really go out and really have a crack at trying to get back up the rankings but more importantly put myself in contention for the grand slams.”

Hewitt faces a busy time at the end of the year with his wife Bec expecting their second child in late December, shortly before his return to tournaments.

“It’s just a matter of really trying to prepare as well as possible for the tennis and the baby stuff will take care of itself on the side,” he said.

Hewitt says his affinity with Melbourne Park and the Open crowds will work in his favour after so many memorable matches there.

“I qualified back in 1997 when I was 15 for the Australian Open so it has been a long time I’ve been going to Melbourne.

“It’s somewhere that gives me goosebumps walking out onto Rod Laver Arena.

“I still feel with 15,000 screaming fans behind me at the Australian Open, it’s a wonderful place to play tennis.

“I’ve had so many good memories there in the past.”

No longer a seeded player, he must take his chances with the draw and hope he doesn’t meet players like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and defending champion Monak Djokovic early on.

“I wouldn’t really want to meet those top three or four guys in the first couple of rounds. But anyone else, bring it on,” said Hewitt.

“(And) I feel like if I can knock one of those other higher guys off then I can just take their draw and the draw will open up.”

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