The Roar » Lleyton Hewitt

Rafter impressed by Hewitt’s form

John Salvado — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:27:35 +0000

Australian Davis Cup captain Pat Rafter believes resurgent Lleyton Hewitt is once again playing tennis like someone in the world top 20.

Hewitt, who turns 31 later this month, is currently ranked well outside the top 100 after an injury-cruelled 2011 campaign.

But Rafter saw plenty to like in the baseline warrior’s thrilling run to the last 16 at the Australian Open last month, where he took eventual champion Novak Djokovic to four sets.

As such, Rafter had no qualms choosing Hewitt to play singles alongside young gun Bernard Tomic in the Asia-Oceania Cup tie against China beginning on Friday, even though his current world ranking of 130 is well below that of fellow squad member Matthew Ebden (83).

The former US Open and Wimbledon champion will also be named to play doubles with Chris Guccione in the clash at the Geelong Lawn Tennis Club.

“Lleyton will be playing singles (although) Matty is ready to rock and roll,” said Rafter on Tuesday.

“But Lleyton is ready and Lleyton’s ranking is no reflection of how he’s hitting the ball.

“To me he is back in the top 20 in terms of how he is hitting the ball.”

Australia will be heavily favoured to advance to the next stage of qualifying against a Chinese team whose highest ranked player is world No.278 Zhang Ze.

And Rafter believes a team involving the likes of Tomic and Hewitt – playing a record-equalling 32nd Cup tie in Geelong – has the potential to again make a real mark in the World Group next year if only they can advance through the tough qualifying phase.

Australia were pipped at the final hurdle in 2011 by a Swiss team headed by Roger Federer.

“The boys are the favourites here, there’s no doubt about it,” said Rafter.

“The Chinese boys compete really well and we’re not taking them lightly.

“That’s why we’re here early and ready to go.

“… We take this very seriously and this year is about trying to get back into the World Group and seeing how we go.”

Hewitt said he had always adapted quickly to grass, as proven by his exceptional record in the Queen’s Club and Halle tournaments straight after the French Open.

He expected the courts in Geelong to firm up in the next few days, which would provide a real challenge for the Chinese players, who never get the chance to practice on grass in their home country.

“I love every time I put the gold jacket on and playing for my country whoever it’s against and my preparation is exactly the same,” said Hewitt.

“But obviously with the team we’ve got and getting a few home ties here and there I think we could do some damage in the World Group.

“We’ve just got to get back into it.”

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Article link: Rafter impressed by Hewitt’s form. Written by John Salvado, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

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Article link: Lleyton Hewitt locked in for full 2012 schedule. Written by Darren Walton, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

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Article link: Lleyton outlasts Raonic. Written by David Lord, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

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Article link: Hewitt advances as Roddick retires hurt. Written by Guy Hand, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

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Stosur Grand Sammed by lowly ranked opponent

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Article link: Stosur Grand Sammed by lowly ranked opponent. Written by David Lord, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Hewitt to face Roddick after Open fight

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Article link: Hewitt to face Roddick after Open fight. Written by Sam Lienert, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Why have Rafter, Scud, Hewitt, and Stosur struggled at the Australian Open?

jamesb — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:04:40 +0000

Another one bites the dust as far as Samantha Stosur is concerned. Her first-round exit at the Australain Open might be a shock to some, but her early exits in tournaments in Brisbane and Sydney would suggest that she was out of form. The reigning US Open champion, ranked sixth in the world, was beaten [...]

Article link: Why have Rafter, Scud, Hewitt, and Stosur struggled at the Australian Open?. Written by jamesb, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Lleyton Hewitt vs Cedrik-Marcel Stebe: Australian Open live scores, blog

Alan Nicolea — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 08:22:41 +0000

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Article link: Lleyton Hewitt vs Cedrik-Marcel Stebe: Australian Open live scores, blog. Written by Alan Nicolea, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Tomic outfoxes foe to advance at the Open

Darren Walton — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 19:50:47 +0000

Bernard Tomic confessed to deliberately playing dead while drawing inspiration from Lleyton Hewitt to reach the Australian Open second round with a mighty comeback win on Monday. The boom teenager defied all odds, predictions and soaring mercury to rally from two sets down to oust Spanish ironman and 2009 semi-finalist Fernando Verdasco 4-6 6-7 (7-3) [...]

Article link: Tomic outfoxes foe to advance at the Open. Written by Darren Walton, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Sam Stosur not stoked with awful Australian Open draw

David Lord — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 19:38:14 +0000

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Article link: Sam Stosur not stoked with awful Australian Open draw. Written by David Lord, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Hewitt fires Open warning

Darren Walton — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 16:27:10 +0000

Insatiable as ever, Lleyton Hewitt says he’s an unseeded player to avoid at this month’s Australian Open. Ranked a lowly 186th in the world after an injury-marred 2011, the wounded court warrior will be at the mercy of next Friday’s draw for the season’s opening grand slam in Melbourne. But with a rare knack of [...]

Article link: Hewitt fires Open warning. Written by Darren Walton, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Hewitt in pain but no retirement plans

Justin Chadwick — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 20:32:07 +0000

Former world No.1 Lleyton Hewitt has again rubbished any talk of retirement, insisting he’s as motivated as ever despite still feeling the effects of a career-threatening foot injury. Hewitt’s ranking has plunged to 186 following an injury-marred 2011 campaign in which he managed just 20 competitive matches. The 30-year-old will end more than three months [...]

Article link: Hewitt in pain but no retirement plans. Written by Justin Chadwick, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Hewitt to play through pain barrier at the Open

Darren Walton — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 19:48:51 +0000

He’s been lauded as the toughest competitor in tennis and now Lleyton Hewitt is ready to fight through the pain barrier once more at next month’s Australian Open. Hewitt has assured his close-knit team he is “100 per cent” certain to line up for a 16th consecutive tilt at Melbourne Park glory despite ongoing concerns [...]

Article link: Hewitt to play through pain barrier at the Open. Written by Darren Walton, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Lleyton Hewitt deserves more respect

Matt F — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 21:06:16 +0000

Another Davis Cup tie has been played and sadly lost. Our prolonged exodus from the elite World Group continues for yet another year. Despite the defeat, there were plenty of positives to take out of the weekend. Bernard Tomic beat yet another top 20 player and took the great Roger Federer to four sets. Not [...]

Article link: Lleyton Hewitt deserves more respect. Written by Matt F, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Roger Federer heads down under for Davis Cup

The Roar — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 01:16:14 +0000

Tennis superstar Roger Federer arrives in Sydney today to lead Switzerland’s challenge against Australia in the Davis Cup. The former world number one, who has won 16 Grand Slam titles in his illustrious career, will attempt to get Switzerland back into the Davis Cup top tier rankings. Federer, currently ranked number three in the world, [...]

Article link: Roger Federer heads down under for Davis Cup. Written by The Roar, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion