After Lleyton Hewitt’s latest failure being a first round exit at the 2012 French Open, it’s time for Tennis Australia to stop handing the former world number one, wildcards into the Grand Slams and for the 31-year old Australian to hang up the racquets for good.
His career has been built on his success at Wimbledon in 2000, which he followed up with a win at the 2001 US Open. The then-20-year old enjoyed the number one world ranking for 75 weeks, which he then regained two weeks later and held it for another five weeks for a total reign of 80 total weeks as the world’s best.
A recent run of hip, foot and toe injuries has hampered Hewitt, who has only managed to make it past the second round of a Grand Slam once since Wimbledon in 2010.
A disappointing 2011 saw Hewitt spend eight months on the sideline, with foot trouble and a lacklustre Grand Slam record eventuated.
Hewitt failed to make it past the first round at the Australian Open and only managed to make round two at Wimbledon. A withdrawal from the US Open after receiving a wildcard signalled an end to the season for Hewitt.
Lleyton opened 2012 with two losses at the Hopman Cup, which had critics talking but the father of three, proved them wrong by progressing to the fourth round at the Australian Open before going down to Novak Djokovic.
Hewitt won one singles and one doubles match in the Davis Cup tie in February which helped Australia get to the playoffs once again but following the tournament he needed to go under the knife once more to have a plate inserted in his toe.
Hewitt’s most recent loss in the first round at the 2012 French Open again has the critics calling for Hewitt to retire but the 31-year old has no plans to quit just yet.
“I had to start somewhere,” Hewitt told the media after his match. “It was good for a lot reasons to go out there and play. There are positives to take out of it.”
Hewitt will now look towards Wimbledon, but can he win another Grand Slam? The answer is no, it’s time for him to let the young talent fly the Australian flag.
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