HEWITT FAMILY WELCOMES BABY DAUGHTER

Lleyton Hewitt and wife Bec announced the arrival of their third child this week, a daughter born on 19 October in Sydney, Australia.

Hewitt confirmed the newest addition Saturday, writing to his text subscribers: "Bec, Mia, Cruz and I welcomed a beautiful baby girl into our family last Tuesday. Mum and baby are great! Dad, big sister and brother elated."

The Hewitts wed in July 2005 and welcomed their first daughter, Mia, later that year. They had their second child, son Cruz, in December 2008. They will announce the name of their new baby via text message later this week.

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Graty.

Tony Roche nowym trenerem Hewitta.

Roche to coach Lleyton Hewitt

Lleyton Hewitt will join forces for the second time in his career with coach Tony Roche in an effort to lift his flagging world ranking.

The two-time grand slam-winner is training after an injury layoff and announced Friday he will re-unite with Roche in 2011.

Roche previously coached Hewitt between July 2007 and August 2009 and was last month re-appointed Australian Davis Cup coach under new captain Pat Rafter.
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Hewitt said he would have Roche as his main coach but would work also with former player Josh Eagle.

"I'm really looking forward to working with both guys and feel that if I can keep the body performing then I can climb back up the ranks again," said Hewitt, who has slid to No.55 in the rankings.

"I have been discussing this with Rochey for a few months now prior to him accepting the job as Australian Davis Cup coach, and when he asked me about taking that role with Pat, I thought that would work in well with what we were planning for myself."

Roche said Hewitt was still a "feared player" despite his slide down the rankings and eight years since his last grand slam title win.

"He is constantly working on his game to improve, which is always a good sign that his focus and desire is still there," Roche said.

"He is a hard worker on and off the court, and Josh and I believe he can return to the top with some good results."

Hewitt is back on court hitting and building towards the Australian summer after a hand injury forced him off the tour in September.

"If the past week is any indication, the body is feeling good, the mind is fresh and by January I will be ready to go for my 15th year on the Tour," Hewitt said.

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It's not over yet for Lleyton Hewitt

A DANGEROUSLY fit looking Lleyton Hewitt yesterday scuttled talk he would retire after next month's Australian Open.

Hewitt, 29, the father of three children under the age of six who has reunited with coach Tony Roche, again said he would bow out on his terms.

And the former world champion is determined not to leave the sport until he has returned to the top 10 of world tennis.

He is ranked No. 54 after hip and knee surgery and a season-ending hand injury.

"This Open won't be my last," he said. at Kooyong.

"With the injuries and small setbacks I have had, retirement goes through your mind a bit more because you never know what is absolutely around the corner.

"The fortunate thing about tennis is I can retire on my terms pretty much unless injury dictates I can't go out there.

"It's not so much like a team sport where you have your coach making the decision.

"I still feel I am playing my best tennis.

He said he and Roche were concentrating on his fitness and service game.

"He's one of the greatest coaches out there so I'm extremely privileged to have him in my corner," he said. "He's a great thinker of the game."

Hewitt said he had played well at Wimbledon after hip and knee surgery and had competed against the best.

His 2010 highlight was a win over world No. 2 Roger Federer in the final at Halle final in June, ending a 15-match losing streak to the Swiss star.

The win had proved he still had what it takes to tackle the best players.

He will contest the Hopman Cup in Perth from January 1 before tackling the AAMI Classic at Kooyong from January 12-15.

"If I play a full year I would like to finish in the Masters Cup (Barclay's ATP World Tour Final)," he said.

"If I do what I think I'm capable of doing, it's a realistic goal."

Hewitt is the only Australian entrant at the AAMI Classic.

He said competing in the Classic for the first time was all about the best preparation for another tilt at the elusive Australian Open.

"It's about trying something different," he said. "It could be the right preparation for me."

"The Hopman Cup and coming to Kooyong I'm guaranteed at least three matches in both events, if not four."

"That gives me great preparation, for the Open.

Defending champion Fernando Verdasco, Wimbledon finalist Tomas Berdych, Mikhail Youzhny, Gael Monfils, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Hewitt were yesterday joined in the Classic by Nikolay Davydenko and Jurgen Melzer.

He said a "fresh approach" could finally deliver an elusive Australian Open crown next month.

Hewitt will join the eight-man field, led by Czech world No.5 Tomas Berdych, at the Kooyong Classic in Melbourne for the first time in his 15-year professional career as he prepares for the grand slam.

Austrian world No.11 Jurgen Melzer and No.22 Russian Nikolay Davydenko were announced on Monday as the final two entries.

said."I spoke to Rochey (coach Tony Roche) and we came up with the idea of a fresh start after the injuries and the longer lay-off, it could be the right preparation for me."

The father of three will turn 30 in February but says he has no plans to retire any time soon.

He declared that win or lose, the 2011 Australian Open wouldn't be his last.

"This won't be my last but I don't have a number," said the former US Open and Wimbledon champion.

"The injuries I've had and the small set-backs with those, it probably goes through your mind a little bit more because you never know what's absolutely around the corner.

"But the fortunate thing about tennis is that I can retire on my terms.

"But I still feel when I play my best tennis ... I'm able to compete against the best guys."

Hewitt said his June tournament win at Halle over Roger Federer, which snapped a 15-match losing streak against the Swiss, was "huge" and proved he still had what it took.

"If I play a full year I'd like to finish in the Masters Cup," said Hewitt when asked of his 2011 ambitions.

"That would be a realistic goal but it's not something I'm focused on, ranking points, and I won't go chasing small tournaments to get in there.

"But if I do what I think I'm capable of in the bigger tournaments and especially the grand slams than I think it's a realistic goal."

Another big part of Hewitt's new start is the re-appointment of his former coach Roche, who also coached former world No.1 Federer.

Hewitt said they were focused on fitness, as well as his service game.

"He's one of the greatest coaches out there so I'm extremely privileged to have him in my corner.

"He's a great thinker of the game."

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/its-n … 5966609306

Hewitt taking aim at 2011 ATP goals



Australian No. 54 Lleyton Hewitt will be nothing if not refreshed after not playing since September, with the world's former top player bidding for a modest comeback for the 2011 season, which begins for him in just over a fortnight.

The 29-year-old will lineup at the Hopman Cup mixed team event in Perth from New Year's Day alongside teammate Alicia Molik, another comeback candidate. Hewitt will then fine-tune for the Australian Open as he plays the week before the January 17 start of the major at the AAMI Classic at Melbourne's Kooyong Club.

Hewitt, who has undergone two hip surgeries and has recovered from a hand injury suffered during September Davis Cup play, is confident that his renewed coaching collaboration with longtime mentor Tony Roche will help pave the way for an ATP fightback.

"Obviously not playing matches toward the end of this year, at least playing the Hopman Cup and coming here to Kooyong, I'm definitely guaranteed at least three matches in both events, if not four," said two-time Grand Slam winner Hewitt.

"My program gives me great preparation for the Australian Open. I spoke to Rochey and we came up with the idea of a fresh start after the injuries and the longer lay-off, it could be the right preparation for me."

The father of three including a child born only weeks ago, would like to somehow rise into the ranking Top eight for 2011 and qualify for the season-ending World Tour Finals in London. "That would be a realistic goal but it's not something I'm focused on, ranking points, and I won't go chasing small tournaments to get in there. But if I do what I think I'm capable of in the bigger tournaments and especially the grand slams than I think it's a realistic goal."

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Hewitt aims for third-time lucky at Hopman Cup



Lleyton Hewitt is counting on third time lucky as he prepares to carry the flag for host Australia during the weekend start of the eight-nation Hopman Cup mixed team event with former coach Tony Roche in his corner.

Hewitt, once a world No.1 now languishing on 54th after two hip surgeries, is teamed with another old campaigner in Alicia Molik at the Burswood Dome, where play begins at the weekend. Hewitt has never gotten Australia out of the group stage in Perth, but is hoping that his third consecutive appearance at the pre-Australian Open event might do the trick.

He and Roche worked together from 2007 to 2009 before a mutual decision to split. But the pair of Aussie are rolling back the years in another pupil-coach effort.

Australia are paired in a group which also includes Serbia, headed by world No. 3 Novak Djokovic and former women's No. 1 Ana Ivanovic. "Hewitt plays Djokovic and the question is, where's he at," said tournament director Paul McNamee, "I know Lleyton is really looking forward to that match, he wanted
Novak in his group." McNamee also praised the return of Roche. "With Rochey, it's a serious appointment with an elder statesman. They won't be hanging out; it's business."

Also in the field, Scot Andy Murray (with Laura Robson) and American John Isner, the marathon man of Wimbledon who will play alongside Melanie Oudin. Isner was starting a mid-week journey which would take him from the snow-bound eastern US to Australia by way of New Zealand.

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Hewitt training harder than anyone

LLEYTON Hewitt on Friday claimed a vital Hopman Cup edge, insisting he has trained harder than any other player in the world during the past two months.

Sidelined since September with a hand injury, and the winner of only two matches since Wimbledon in July, Hewitt resumes his career in Australia's opening-round match against Belgium at Burswood.

Hewitt has been powerless to arrest a ranking slide, he now sits at an unbecoming 54th in the world, but he has used the down time to rebuild fitness.

"There've been no interruptions this year," he said.

"When you train extremely hard, as I have this year, sometimes you get little niggles throughout and you have to have a couple of days off here and there.

"This year, there's been none of that.

"I've been (training) at least six days a week, some seven days, going as hard as I can.



"Personally, I don't feel there's anyone else out there who's trained as hard as I have the last two months.

"Where my body's at for a 29-year-old at the moment, I feel good."

The 2011 pre-season is a far cry from the 2010 version when the former world No. 1 injured a hip during his first training session at the Hopman Cup and was forced to have surgery after the Australian Open.

The Wimbledon and US Open winner opens the new year today against Belgian Ruben Bemelmans as Alicia Molik prepares to face Justine Henin.

Hewitt is guaranteed at least three matches in Perth, including what is certain to be an illuminating clash with Serb Novak Djokovic on Tuesday.

It will be in the heat of battle that Hewitt will earn a better understanding of the value of the gruelling cross-training he has undergone with Nathan Martin and coach Tony Roche.

"I feel good. I had a bit longer off than what I would have liked, (but) I'm happy with where my body is at at the moment," he said.

"For me, that's the most important thing.

"If I feel confident and know I've done all the hard work, I can go out there and hopefully execute what I've been working on.

"I'm not going to let everybody know what I've been doing, but there's a few different things.

"I've mixed it up a lot. A lot of the sandhills, a lot of stairwork, agility stuff, sprints - it's been a whole range of different stuff, a lot of AFL kind of stuff this year, as well.

"The last week or so, tapered off and done a lot more quick reaction stuff, which isn't quite as grinding on your body, physically and mentally.

"Believe me, the first five or six weeks were bloody tough."

Asked why, at the age of almost 30, he was prepared to submit his battered body to such rigours, Hewitt said: "I still think I can get better.

"As long as the motivation is there and I want to go out there and compete and become a better player, I'll do it until it's not there anymore I guess."

And with watershed victory over nemesis Roger Federer in Halle final in June, Hewitt's ambitions are familiarly lofty.

"It's always grand slams," he said. "The ranking takes care of itself.

"If I'm able to play a full calendar year, the majority of the tournaments I want to play, and do well and play to the best of my ability, the ranking will be up there anyway.

"The focus for me is making a schedule that best prepares me for the four majors and I think, at the moment, I've done that.

"For me, it's going out there and competing.

"My main focus is obviously the Australian Open in a couple of weeks time.

"Between here at the Hopman Cup and next week in Kooyong, I am guaranteed six bloody tough matches and that's exactly what I need at the moment.

Hopman Cup teams

GROUP A

- Serbia: Ana Ivanovic, Novak Djokovic

- Belgium: Justine Henin, Ruben Bemelmans

- Australia: Alicia Molik, Lleyton Hewitt

- Kazakhstan: Yaroslava Shvedova, Andrey Golubev

GROUP B

- Great Britain: Laura Robson, Andy Murray

- Italy: Francesca Schiavone, Potito Starace

- France: Kristina Mladenovic, Nicolas Mahut

- US: Bethanie Mattek-Sands, John Isner

http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/hew … 5979602986

Hewitt happy with his tough fitness regime



Lleyton Hewit has pulled up fit and pleased with what he calls an uninterrupted spell of training after last getting onto a court in September and suffering an elbow injury in Davis Cup.

But the 29-year-old is not giving anyway secrets as he prepared to lead Australia and the Hopman Cup mixed team event.

"I'm not going to let everyone know what I've been doing. There are a few different things that I've been doing out there," said the one-time No. 1. "I've mixed it up a lot. Obviously I still do a lot of the sand hills and a lot of stair work, agility stuff and sprints.

"It's been a whole range of different stuff; a lot of AFL (football) drills this year as well. I feel like I've be able to mix it up really well and in the last week and a half, taper off and do quick reaction stuff. But believe me, the first five or six weeks were bloody tough."

Hewitt and Alicia Molik will be trying to lift the first home title for Australia since the hosts took their only honour in 1999. Two-time Grand Slam champion Hewitt is hoping to be free of all niggles after his two hip surgeries over past seasons.

"It's been good. I've had no interruptions this year. I've been at least six days a week, sometimes seven days a week, going as hard as I can. Personally I don't feel there is anyone out there who has trained as hard as I have in the last two months. I feel for where body is at the moment for a 29 year old, I feel pretty good."

http://www.tennistalk.com/en/news/20101 … ess_regime

Hewitt says he's ready for strong Aussie run

Lleyton Hewitt says despite not playing an ATP warm-up tournament before the Australian Open for the first time that he’s well prepared for a strong run. The former did play the Hopman Cup exhibition last week and will play an exhibition at Kooyong this week.

"I feel like I've done the hard yards," said 2005 Australian Open finalist. "There's no stone that's unturned for me, and I can go out there and know that I've had the best preparation possible for myself and my body. Obviously I won't be seeded next week, so [it's] a little bit in the hands of the gods where you get put in the draw, but I feel capable that I can go out there and cause some upsets."

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Wywiad przed AO

Q. Yesterday must have been a great thing for you, giving your confidence a good boost coming into the Aussie Open.
LLEYTON HEWITT: Yeah, it was nice. I had a really good week at Kooyong. It was obviously a little bit interrupted with the rain delays and stuff around the place. But we got looked after extremely well.

Yeah, I felt really comfortable out there on the court, which is really good.

Q. Preparation wise, does it set in you better stead than previous years?

LLEYTON HEWITT: I don't know. I can only speak to this year. I feel like everything's gone to plan so far. Yeah, as I keep saying, you know, the last few days, I've done everything possible that I could have done so far. So it's a matter of just going out there and executing and hopefully playing well on Tuesday.

Q. You don't have any injury niggles at the moment?

LLEYTON HEWITT: No. Feeling good at the moment.

Q. What about David Nalbandian in the first round, how do you feel about playing him?

LLEYTON HEWITT: Yeah, as I said the other day leading up, it's going to be a tough match. It's going to be a tough first round. I'm looking forward to it. You're going to have to play well and I expect him to be hitting the ball pretty well after last week, as well.

Q. Is there any sort of a positive to playing a player like that that you know so well and you played before?

LLEYTON HEWITT: Yeah, it's obviously a tough draw. Normally you don't mind, yeah, easing into the tournament a little bit. But we're both going to have to be up for the match straightaway. If you're not, you're going to be out in the first round.

Yeah, there's plenty to play for.

Q. This afternoon's Rally for Relief, that doesn't alter your preparations at all ahead of Tuesday when you play your first match?

LLEYTON HEWITT: No, not at all. Yeah, it's going to be a bit of fun. Pat and I are sort of running the show out there a little bit. It's going to be different, but it's going to be a lot of fun.

Yeah, it's all for a great cause. Pat and I, what we've given for Australia in Davis Cup, we love doing things for our great country. This afternoon's no different.

Q. Have you been surprised, not just the Australian players like yourself and Sam, but so many of the top internationals have gotten behind, playing on yours and Pat's team this afternoon?

LLEYTON HEWITT: I'm not really surprised, but it's a great thing. Guys like Roger and Rafa do so much, not just for tennis, but are great ambassadors for our sport. They're great guys off the court as well with what they do with the busy schedules they have.

I'm not surprised what these guys have offered. It's fantastic. It can really help the day as well, which is great.

Q. What do you expect about the role of people in the match against Nalbandian?

LLEYTON HEWITT: Yeah, it's going to be no different to me playing anyone else in Australia. I always have a lot of great support here in Australia. Every time I play here at Melbourne Park, the support that I get is fantastic. It's not going to be any different playing David, if I get through, than playing my second round opponent.

Q. As this stage of your career, do you come into this tournament, which you completely love, thinking it could be your last and really treating it as if it could be?

LLEYTON HEWITT: Not really 'cause right at the moment I don't think it's going to be the last. It's not something that I dwell on too much at all when I go out there.

Yeah, I enjoy walking through the corridors here at Melbourne Park, get excited every time I come here to not only play but also practice.

Yeah, as I said, the motivation is still there and the body is feeling as good as it has for a few years right at the moment, which is good.

Q. There's people writing that your best years are behind you. How do you feel? Do you feel you can still have your best performances in your future?

LLEYTON HEWITT: Yeah. Well, obviously it's hard to clip what I did in 2001, 2002, winning slams and Davis Cups, being ranked world No. 1. But, yeah, priorities and I guess goals change a little bit after you've been able to do that. A lot's sort of changed with how your body is as well. That's why my main priority is obviously with Davis Cup. We don't play a Davis Cup tie till later on in the year. But apart from that, the Grand Slams are my main priority.

Yeah, the ranking will take care of itself, as I've always said. My priority now is the four majors and preparing and trying to do as well as I can in those.

Q. What do you think you can achieve in the Grand Slams?

LLEYTON HEWITT: Oh, have to wait and see. All I can do is go out there. As I said coming into this tournament, when you're unseeded, it's always a little bit hard with draws and whatever. But I still feel like I can go out there and give most guys a pretty good run.

http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/new … 20189.html

Cash blames media for poor Hewitt reputation

One-time Aussie bad-boy player of two decades ago, Pat Cash, has blamed the media for a constant criticism which has trailed Lleyton Hewitt throughout his career.

The 29-year-old former No. 1 Hewitt exited the Australian Open in the first round at the hands of David Nalbandian.

But Cash, who won the Wimbledon in 1987, said that the difficult Hewitt reputation is in fact a product of the Aussie media. “Unfortunately, for many years the Australian media really gave it to tennis players - including me. I was probably the start of it all," said the 45-year-old, now a commentator and coach.

"It got so bad that the players - myself, Lleyton Hewitt and Mark Philippousis - rarely spoke to any Australian media," he told the Foxsports website. “Some kind of truce was worked out among Tennis Australia and the media, and I think Pat Rafter, being the all-round nice guy, helped settle that.

“But the mistrust in the media runs deep with those players I mentioned. We're different personalities. Some people will like us, some people won't. That will get people talking. The bottom line is that it's all about selling newspapers. In Australia we have too much media and too few stories.”

Cash also said that the Aussie tradition of criticising successful sportsmen and others in society - the so-called tall-poppy syndrome - came directly from Britain on the convict ships of two centuries ago. “The tall poppy syndrome is a nice trait we got from the English. They do exactly the same thing. Pure and simple, it's jealousy.”

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