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Lleyton Hewitt will begin his 11th Wimbledon campaign full of confidence.
Having beaten first-round opponent Robby Ginepri of the United States five times in as many meetings, the Australian will have a clear edge when he steps out onto his beloved grass of the All England Club on Tuesday.
While one of those victories was on clay and the other four on hardcourt – the last at Indian Wells in 2005 – Hewitt’s manager, David Drysdale, believes the win-loss record against 114th-ranked Ginepri will count for plenty.
“Whenever you’ve got a record that you’ve beaten someone a fair bit beforehand, it will always help,” Drysdale said.
“Lleyton is going to be very aware of the fact that it’s been a long time since he and Robby played, but I’m sure he’ll approach the match from a positive perspective.”
Hewitt overcame a brief injury scare on Saturday when he lost his footing during practice and remained on all fours at the baseline for some time.
When he rose to his feet he was clearly in pain, clutching his left hip, but he continued to train, apparently unhindered, for about another 30 minutes.
Hewitt is working his way back up the rankings after undergoing surgery on the same hip, which sidelined him for four months at the end of last year.
Now No.56 in the world, he faces a second-round match-up with Juan Martin Del Potro after the Argentine took injured champion Rafael Nadal’s place in the draw.
But Drysdale said Hewitt’s focus would be purely on the first round at this stage.
“He loves playing on grass, he loves playing at Wimbledon,” Drysdale said.
“The frame of mind is good, the body is good. He’s just got to step up and start the business now.”
Hewitt and five-time winner Roger Federer are the only former champions in this year’s draw, testament to the Swiss ace’s dominance but also to 28-year-old Hewitt’s longevity.
Much has happened since he made his Wimbledon debut a decade ago – a US Open title, the 2002 crown, marriage, fatherhood.
But given his youth during the giddy heights of those career pinnacles and his passion for playing on grass, Hewitt gives the impression of a boy-turned-man with unfinished business at SW19.
He exudes a hunger to revisit those times and once again lift the sport’s most coveted trophy.
While Nadal’s withdrawal may have improved the odds, there are many hurdles in Hewitt’s way this year – not least Federer and British hope Andy Murray.
The top men’s seeds were disappointed by Nadal’s decision not to defend his title because of knee problems.
Federer, who lost his crown to Nadal in an epic final last year, said he was saddened by the news.
“I’d love to play him,” Federer told reporters.
“He’s my main rival. We’ve had some wonderful matches over the years, and especially the one here last year was the one that obviously stands out.
“It’s unfortunate. I’m sad for him, because it must have been a very difficult decision to make.”
Murray, the No.3 seed, agreed.
“I’m sure everyone would have liked to have seen him here,” Murray said.
“He’s my favourite player to watch, so I’m sure the fans that wanted to come to see him will all be disappointed, but he’s got to do what’s best for him.”
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