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If Lleyton Hewitt’s hip causes him problems against Roger Federer in their Wimbledon showdown, the Australian won’t give any inkling.
Hewitt, the clear underdog for his fourth-round match against the world No.1 on Monday, has been playing with pain for weeks and refuses to let it interfere with his bid to ruin Federer’s run at a sixth consecutive title.
“I don’t complain about injuries too much,” Hewitt said.
“I think that comes from a football background, you don’t show when you’re hurt.
“It’s the same out on the court, very rarely do I give away signs if I’m hurting at all.”
Asked why, the tenacious 27-year-old replied simply: “Signs of weakness.”
While 27th-ranked Hewitt highlighted the virtues of his AFL upbringing, Federer was content to leave his team sports background behind him.
“I’m not completely the individual athlete because I grew up doing all sorts of sports,” Federer said.
“Soccer for me, celebrating the goal with the mates, was a great feeling, maybe even more exhilarating than winning on a tennis court all alone.
“But at the same time, I think tennis is by far my favorite sport and having no body contact is also something I don’t mind.
“It’s just better … not to get injuries through somebody who’s lost his mind, let’s just say.”
The pair first played each other as 15-year-olds, when Federer won.
Since then, on the professional tour, Federer has a 13-7 win-loss record against Hewitt and has won their past 11 meetings on the trot.
Now the stakes are arguably higher than ever.
The 26-year-old Federer is aiming to become the first player since William Renshaw in 1886 to win six consecutive titles at the All England Club.
His last loss at Wimbledon came in the 2002 first round against Mario Ancic.
This year, however, he has had to contend with suggestions he is more vulnerable than before, largely as a result of his heavy loss to Rafael Nadal in the French Open final.
Despite signs two-time Wimbledon runner-up Nadal has his best chance yet to beat Federer on grass if they meet in the final, the Swiss indicated the weight of expectation comes from within.
“Playing at Wimbledon always creates extra pressure because it’s what’s closest to my heart,” Federer said.
“(I) maybe wish someday my career ends here in a way, because it’s the most prestigious tournament we have on tour.
“That alone creates pressure, so I want to prove it to myself I can do it again here.”
The fact Hewitt is the only other man left in the draw to have won Wimbledon and was the last person before Federer to have his name on the trophy is not lost on the five-time defending champion.
“It’s been a while, but at the same time he knows what it takes to win slams,” Federer said.
“So does Marat (Safin) and other players.
“But I think Lleyton Hewitt definitely believes very strongly in his chances, which is normal.”
Meanwhile, former world No.1 Hewitt is trying to work his way back up the rankings after an injury hampered year and appreciates the enormity of his task against Federer.
“Last five years no one’s been able to get it right here,” Hewitt said.
“Rafa’s come close the last couple, but no one else has really got that close to him.
“If I can serve well and take care of my service games, I’ll get some opportunities.
“I won’t get a lot obviously, because of the calibre of player that he is, but I’ll probably get some chances.
“Against a guy like Roger, you really have to take those half chances when you get them, because you’re not going to get a lot of them.”
Matches between Lleyton Hewitt and Roger Federer ahead of their Wimbledon fourth-round clash on Monday (AEST):
2007 ATP Masters Series Cincinnati
Surface: Hard
Round: Semi-final
Winner: Federer 6-3 6-7(7) 7-6(1)2007 ATP Masters Series Canada
Surface: Hard
Round: Quarter-finals
Winner: Federer 6-3 6-42005 US Open
Surface: Hard
Round: Semi-finals
Winner: Federer 6-3 7-6(0) 4-6 6-32005 Wimbledon
Surface: Grass
Round: Semi-finals
Winner: Federer 6-3 6-4 7-6(4)2005 ATP Masters Series Indian Wells
Surface: Hard
Round: Final
Winner: Federer 6-2 6-4 6-4
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