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John McEnroe has backed Lleyton Hewitt to regain his place in the world’s top 10 but the resurgent Australian is aiming even higher after threatening to break Roger Federer’s five-year stranglehold on the US Open at Flushing Meadows.
Hewitt said his gallant 4-6 6-3 7-5 6-4 third-round loss to the all-conquering world No.1 had fuelled his belief that he remains capable of adding a third grand slam title to his 2001 US Open and 2002 Wimbledon triumphs.
In a magnificent match played before a capacity crowd of 23,763 fans at New York’s Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sunday (AEST), an inspired Hewitt was ultimately left to rue an inability to convert any more than three of his 14 break-point chances.
But the backhand down the line was back, the trademark topspin lob – which Federer later declared the best tennis had ever seen – was operating brilliantly and the shaken Swiss master was facing his earliest grand slam exit since losing to ex-No.1 Gustavo Kuerten in the third round of the 2004 French Open.
“When you see Lleyton play like this, you know he can get back to the top 10 in the world,” McEnroe said on US TV.
McEnroe marvelled at Hewitt’s ability to drag Federer out of his comfort zone despite the 28-year-old former No.1 undergoing serious surgery last August to repair a torn labrum, and also have part of his hip bone shaven off.
“That’s about as good as it gets,” McEnroe said.
“I didn’t think it was possible. This is a different guy that was playing earlier in the year.
“When you consider what happened to Gustavo Kuerten and (former No.2) Magnus Norman after they had similar hip problems, this is amazing.
“This is the best I’ve seen him move in a long, long time and it’s affecting Roger’s shot selection. He’s pressing.
“He reminds me of (Jimmy) Connors the way he knows when to half-volley or redirect a ball. He’s so good at that.
“He also had Andy Roddick in a fifth set and on the ropes at Wimbledon. Quite incredible.”
His vintage form – which has also included recent victories over the fifth-ranked Juan Martin Del Potro and French Open finalist Robin Soderling – has come as no surprise to Hewitt.
“I’m more fit. When the body is feeling closer to 100 per cent, then it’s easy to go out there and compete,” he said.
“I did all the hard work after I had surgery the end of last year to get back and put myself in a position like this. It’s part of making those sacrifices to come back and do it all again.
“You’re going to lose your ranking and you’re going to have to come up and play the higher seeds earlier in the tournaments.
“That’s all part of it. But I feel like I’m on the right track to getting back to where I want to be.”
Hewitt believes he is probably even a superior player to when he topped the rankings for 80 weeks in 2001-02.
“The game is always improving and changing,” he said.
“Roger took it to a new level, and then Rafa (Nadal) came and, believe it or not, took it to a new level again.
“That’s just part of it. That’s what motivates the great players to try and keep improving and stay at the top of their game.”
Hewitt will climb to within the cusp of the top 25 after the Open – having plummeted to as low as 108th in February – and, with no rankings points to defend until January, will continue to rise.
“It’s disappointing (here) because my draw could have been slightly more favourable – I could have gone deeper in the tournament,” Hewitt said.
“It would be nice to get into the top 10 and have to come up against these guys later in the second week. Hopefully that’s going to pan out for next year.”
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