Hewitt Taking His Time Choosing a New Coach

From The Herald Sun: Hewitt keeps options open

LLEYTON Hewitt hasn't ruled out hiring an overseas coach to help guide him back to the top.

Hewitt said it was important a new coach understood his needs, with nationality of secondary concern.

"I'm looking for the best person who suits me," he said.

"Australia is so far from the rest of the world and I prefer to live in Australia when I'm not playing."

Draper Won't Coach Hewitt

From the AAP: Golf first as Draper says no to Hewitt

LLEYTON Hewitt is in the market for yet another coach after Scott Draper's decision to pursue his golf career...

The former Davis Cup star said he had made the choice following lengthy discussions with his pregnant wife Jessica and Hewitt.

"I had a long chat on the phone with Lleyton and let him know that I'd decided to go with golf," said Draper.

Hewitt Gone

I wonder if Fernando Gonzalez is finally ready to do some serious Grand Slam damage.

From The Sydney Morning Herald: Hewitt crashes out to Gonzalez

A BAD day just got worse. This was already the most troubled Australian Open of recent years, blighted by excesses of heat, rain and crowd conduct. Last night on a subdued Rod Laver arena, the last two Australians, old favourites Lleyton Hewitt and Alicia Molik, were unceremoniously dumped out of the tournament...

Hewitt Takes Five to Win

From The Herald Sun: Lleyton Hewitt keeps dream alive

LION-HEARTED Lleyton Hewitt clawed his way back from two sets down for only the third time in his career to keep his Australian Open dream alive at Melbourne Park last night.

Trailing by a service break early in the third set, match-starved Hewitt stood on the brink of an inglorious first-round defeat before rallying doggedly to a 3-6 2-6 6-3 6-3 6-3 triumph over American qualifier Michael Russell...

Woodbridge Says Hewitt Needs to Become an Adult

From The Australian: It's time Lleyton 'became an adult'

WHEN Lleyton Hewitt walks onto Rod Laver Arena tonight to begin his campaign against American Michael Russell, he will have a new coach in his corner, a new manager on his payroll and unprecedented criticism from a celebrated, Davis Cup team-mate ringing in his ears.

In a remarkably candid interview on Melbourne radio on the opening morning of this year's tournament, Todd Woodbridge yesterday urged Hewitt to become an adult, distance his father Glynn from his tennis affairs and start making the important decisions in his professional life that will decide whether he can again challenge the world's best players at major tournaments...

No chance for Lleyton?

Some interesting behind-the-scenes anecdotes in this one.

From The Sydney Morning Herald: No coach, no serve, no matches...Lleyton's no hope

LLEYTON Hewitt is gone. Forget about him winning the Australian Open; he'll be lucky to make the second week. Having a big heart gets you only so far. Look at Nicole Pratt...

Fact: he hasn't played enough. The world No.19 is so starved of match play he's lost the crucial knack of running on automatic when he's under the pump. You can't brush the tour for most of the year, turn up to a major and expect to win it.

Hewitt Says He Won't Change

Lleyton Hewitt manages to blame former coach Roger Rasheed for his "stale" tennis game.  He sounds bitter, but I can't blame him.  The way Rasheed quit was awfully humiliating for Hewitt.  (Then again - maybe he deserved it.)

From The Herald Sun: Lleyton won't change

LLEYTON Hewitt has vowed not to temper his ferocious on-court personality despite the shock resignation of coach Roger Rasheed.

Although disappointed at Rasheed's exit after a heated spat in Adelaide last week, Hewitt said he would remain as combative as ever.

"If I feel like I need to fire myself up, get fired up and 'C'mon', (I will)," Hewitt said yesterday.

"Everyone's had go's at me over the years, but I didn't hear anyone having go's when I made the Australian Open final two years ago here."

Hewitt Tough on Coaches

From The Age: More than the job's worth

THE one thing Darren Cahill, Jason Stoltenberg and Roger Rasheed have in common is that, as former coaches of Lleyton Hewitt, they have all jumped without being pushed. Each found it impossible to work in such a poisonous environment, or tolerate the on-court abuse any longer. Or both...

Why Lleyton Hewitt's Coach Quit

From The Herald Sun: Hewitt abuse the final straw

AN expletive-laden tirade from Lleyton Hewitt was the catalyst for coach Roger Rasheed to sever ties with the fiery tennis ace.

The final straw for Rasheed came after Hewitt allegedly told his coach of three years to "f--- off" and "shut up" throughout his match against Russian Igor Kunitsyn on Thursday night...

Hewitt's Coach Walks Away

Talk about bad timing...

From The Herald Sun: Lleyton Hewitt's coach quits

A POST-MATCH confrontation between Lleyton Hewitt and Roger Rasheed is believed to have effectively ended one of the closest partnerships in Australian tennis.

Rasheed is known to be distressed by aspects of Hewitt's behaviour, including verbal barbs directed at him and other support staff, during Hewitt's upset loss to Russian Igor Kunitsyn on Thursday night. Hewitt lost 6-4 6-7 (4-7) 4-6, after leading 3-1 in the second set.

A frustrated Hewitt made several comments which were clearly audible to spectators sitting near Rasheed, Hewitt's wife, Bec, and the couple's manager, Justin Cohen.

It is believed Rasheed and Hewitt had a brief, heated exchange about his behaviour in a deserted locker room at Memorial Drive after the match.

Hewitt Loses in Adelaide

From The Age: Hewitt loses in three to Russian

Lleyton Hewitt has been dumped from the Adelaide International by a lowly-ranked outsider for the second consecutive year, stunned 4-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-4 by world No. 94 Igor Kunitsyn last night at Memorial Drive.

Hewitt turned what had appeared a comfortable passage from the round-robin stage of his home tournament into a disastrous defeat by the gritty Russian that was played out over almost three hours in stifling evening heat and ended with a forehand winner on Kunitsyn's sixth match point, but the first on his own serve...

Hewitt Left Off Australian Open Ad Campaign After Sponsorship Misunderstanding

Oh well - it's not like everyone in Australia doesn't already know that Lleyton Hewitt will be playing in the Australian Open.

From The Age: No longer poster boy, Hewitt gets shirty

LLEYTON Hewitt, the top drawcard of Australian tennis, is no longer the face of the Australian Open after an administrative bungle by Tennis Australia.

Hewitt's quest to win his home grand slam is compulsive viewing every January, guaranteeing huge television ratings, ticket sales and revenue for Tennis Australia, but his image was pulled from promotional material on Hewitt's command because the photo chosen did not show the name of his sponsor, Yonex...

Hewitt Cautious About Australian Open Surface

From The Age: Hewitt still wary over Open surface

"Not too bad", and "Yeah, it's all right" were Hewitt's curt initial assessments of the Adelaide version of the rubberised hardcourt surface that has caused such controversy. "I wouldn't say it's that different, but we'll play on it."

Later, he added: "I'll wait and see because no one's played on centre court yet in Melbourne, there's been concerts on it, (so) even though it's been laid … it's a bit hard to get quicker if there's no hitting on it."

Lleyton Hewitt Still Confident

I love that 2006 isn't even over and the Australian papers are already in full Australian Open mode.

From The Australian: Hewitt out to silence critics

LLEYTON Hewitt is bemused. For the past year, the former world champion has been the subject of myriad epitaphs, optimistically penned by his many media antagonists.

At 25, his career is apparently over after an injury-marred season in which his ranking dipped from No.4 to 20th with just one title.

Even worse, for only the second time in six years, Hewitt failed to reach a grand slam semi-final as his game slipped into a supposedly terminal state...

But, even if Hewitt has not been seen, he has not been idle. Far from it.

Arthurs Speculates Hewitt Will Like New Aussie Open Court

It sounds like Lleyton Hewitt got his way.  Hopefully this will mean fewer sprained ankles.

From The Age: Increase in tempo will suit Hewitt

MEMO Lleyton Hewitt: five weeks from the start of the Australian Open, early critiques suggest that the current incarnation of Rebound Ace is already playing faster and bouncing lower than previous years.

After a long practice session in yesterday's brutal 40-degree heat, Hewitt's Davis Cup teammate Wayne Arthurs said the newly relaid Melbourne Park surface had moved closer to the pace and style of a US Open hardcourt...

Hewitt Plans the Rest of His Life

No one ever claimed that Lleyton Hewitt wasn't prepared - he's already lining up his retirement plans.  His future?  Sports and event management. 

If I had 20 million dollars laying around it's not how I would choose to spend my time, but to each his own.  I guess it's less travel than coaching.

From The Australian: Lleyton makes early start

...The former world No.1 has not only appointed a new manager - Victorian Justin Cohen - and heralded a future career in sports and event management, but also he has returned to full training.

Is Lleyton REALLY in that much danger?

Lleyton Hewitt's gotten unprecedented security for the Australia-Argentina Davis Cup tie in Argentina, where he's arguably one of the most hated men. Seems a bit over the top, if you ask me...but hmm.

US Open 2nd Tuesday

Well, yesterday was just balls out tennis, folks. Mauresmo's incredible comeback after losing the 2nd set to Serena 0-6; Tommy Haas' marathon win over Robby Ginepri (whose ranking will now take a steep tumble into oblivion); the resurrection of Marat Safin, as well as Lleyton Hewitt prevailing over Richie Gasquet in a 5-setter that seems to be an instant classic (I wouldn't know, of course. Silly me fell asleep at 3-1 in the 5th and missed the 2 matchpoints Gasquet saved that seem to have converted all of NYC into Francophiles. Damn. It.). Also Kuznetsova falling to the charismatic primadonna Jelena Jankovic, Davenport squashing Schnyder, and Justine Henin-Hardenne making a bid for her own Federer-like H-H Express with a comprehensive beatdown of Shahar Pe'er. Who can stop that train?

Hmm, that's all yesterday stuff, isn't it. On to tuesday, which should be another stellar day of match play:

How much fun will Tommy Haas v. Marat Safin be? I mean, these guys can turn up the court crazy like nobody else. The two of them together? I'll need to take a valium just to sit through it. I'm picking Safin over Haas, mostly because I want a few more press conferences from the gloomy and ever quotable Russian.

I'm going to pick Blake over Berdych in the trickiest 4th round match; Murray over Davydenko in a very very tight one, Federer over Giquel (duh). I think Jankovic is ready for her close up and will upset Dementieva; and sorry, Lindsay, but Justine's unstoppable. Just like the Citizen Eco-Drive watch and the people who wear it. Unstoppable.

Friday Wrap; the Semis

The quarterfinals ended up being pretty eventful.

DC: Marat Safin consolidated his upset of James Blake on thursday with a tight win over Wesley Moodie; Lleyton Hewitt was ousted by French veteran Arnaud Clement (!) Clement halted a 7-match Lleyton losing streak.

Andy Murray predictably took out Mardy Fish, though with a lapse in concentration late in the 2nd set.

Tennis Wives v. Football Wives

This article is pretty old (Wimbledon-era), but in the Alexis-Scud split aftermath is a sorta interesting popcorn read. Bits on Andy Murray's girlfriend, Robert Kendrick's lady friends, Hewitt's wife Bec Cartright, Steffi Graf, Alexis and more.

Choice quote: Caroline Burns, of Advocate Galleries, said: “She [Bec Cartwright] has been in a few times. She was into Rob Hefferan, sort of Romantic photo-realism.” Yes, but what was she wearing? A football WAG’s bikini, with high heels? “A vest top and trousers,” Mrs Burns said. “With flat shoes.”

Read 'Tennis ladies are on the ball - not dancing on the tables'.

For the Brits out there--WTF does WAG stand for?

Hewitt Loses to ... Goldstein (!) in LA

In the FIRST ROUND, folks. Well, ouch. I mean, Paul Goldstein is a perfectly fine journeyman player who has a very solid if unremarkable game--but Lleyton Hewitt being straight setted by him on hard court is just SHOCKING. Hewitt's uneven year continues...

Here's the story.

Wimbledon: Men's Quarterfinals Review

Best in Show: Federer d. Ancic 6-4 6-4 6-4
Well, another straight sets win for Roger Federer, with more brilliant play. Ancic played well, but did not do himself justice; John McEnroe was berating him all match for abandoning the net play that had gotten him this far in the tournament. However, perhaps it wouldn't have helped; Roger himself thought he put in "an incredible performance."

Here are a match summary/Roger's interview/Mario's interview.

Upset of the Day: Baghdatis d. Hewitt 6-1 5-7 7-6(5) 6-2
Marcos Baghdatis had some brilliant moments himself in toppling Lleyton Hewitt in 4. He's earned enough points to displace Andy Roddick (News/Posts) and enter the top 10 for the first time. Just gorgeous shotmaking (his forehand has got to be one of the best out there) and his mom is adorable.

Here are a match summary / Hewitt's interview.

Match of the Day: The 3rd seeded Mens' doubles team of Knowles/Nestor took out 8th seeded Aspelin/Perry in the longest doubles match in Grand Slam history. It took 2 days, over 6 hours and FORTY FOUR games in the 5th set to finish this. Bravo! Here are a match report and Knowles/Nestor's interview.

Choke of the Day: Radek Stepanek served for the match at 5-4 in the 4th set and served three double faults. Jonas Bjorkman ended up winning 6-4 in the 5th set. Great effort regardless for the 27 year old Czech, who has never been this far in a major. Bjorkman, at 34, is now the oldest man since Jimmy Connors' 1987 run to reach a Wimbledon semi, and the hardest working man in tennis. He's got a doubles quarterfinal tomorrow and a mixed doubles 3rd round match coming up, too. Last time Bjorkman made a grand slam semi was the 1997 US Open. Here are a match review / Bjorkman's interview.

Biggest Letdown: With 2 rain delays and the marathon length of Bjorkman v. Stepanek, Nadal v. Nieminen had to be postponed until Thursday. It'll be the first match up on court 1.

Factoid of the Day: Mary Carillo let slip that happy couple Radek Stepanek and Martina Hingis were actually childhood sweethearts; they dated in their teens.

What a great day for tennis! Especially after such a dull one yesterday.

Wimbledon Quarterfinals: The Men

1. Federer v. Ancic:  This is supposed to be a date with destiny--can Federer vanquish the last man who defeated him at Wimbledon? Sure, Super Mario's a serious fighter and has a monster serve, but I think we all know the answer here. (Sorry, ancicfan!)

2. Nadal v. Nieminen: Can Rafael Nadal make the finals of Wimbledon? It sure as hell looks like it. I think Rafa really announced himself as a comer on grass at Queen's Club, when he split sets with eventual champ Lleyton Hewitt and then retired with shoulder strain. The most important thing for Rafa at Wimbledon is confidence, and by making the quarters--even with a pretty unintimidating draw, despite Agassi in the 3rd--he's certainly earned some. I think Finland will have to settle for an historic quarterfinal.

3. Hewitt v. Baghdatis: The young upstart or the resurgent veteran? I'm going with Marcos just for the storyline.

4. Bjorkman v. Stepanek. I'll just be watching to see if Hingis shows up in the players' box. Good luck to them both.

Here's Covers.com's odds-based picks.

Wimbledon Round of 16 Review: The Men

Biggest Letdown: Murray v. Baghdatis didn't live up to its billing: Murray (News/Posts) played like a loose cannon; Baghdatis (News/Posts) was solid and won in straight sets. Here are Baghdatis' interview / Murray's interview /Jimmy Connors' breakdown of the match.

Closest Shave: Nieminen v. Tursunov. Finn Jarkko Nieminen took the first two sets; an extremely surly Tursunov (News/Posts) almost willed deja vu, coming back from 2 sets down as he did against Ljubicic in the 3rd round. Nieminen finally closed it out 9-7 in the 5th. Here are a match summary / Nieminen's interview / Tursunov's interview.

Roger Federer (News/Posts) had a routine win over Tomas Berdych, and Rafael Nadal (News/Posts) took out Irakli Labadze and his beer gut in straight sets.

Federer Match Review / Federer Interview / Nadal Match Review

Lleyton Hewitt (News/Posts) took out Spaniard David Ferrer in 4 tough, clay courtish sets; Mario Ancic (News/Posts) edged Novak Djokovic (News/Posts) in 5; Jonas Bjorkman took out his doubles partner Max Mirnyi in 5, and Hingis' boy toy Radek Stepanek took out Fernando Verdasco in 5. Here's a round up of all of these.

Some great tennis on the men's side today!

Wimbledon Draws are Out!: The Men

And ouch, what a draw it is. Federer's basically got most of the high-end grass courters in his quarter. Gasquet in the first round, or for all you Gasquet fans (myself included), Gasquet's got Federer. Roger could face Timmy Henman in the second round, and Tommy Haas, who just gave Roger trouble in Halle, in the 4th round. Red hot Mario Ancic and iron-serve Ivo Karlovic are at the bottom of Federer's quarter. Nalbandian or Blake in the semis. Sure, you can't bet against Roger, but wow, this is a tough draw.

Nalbandian's draw looks pretty straightforward until Blake in the quarters, but Poor Andy Roddick (and Marat Safin) are in Lleyton Hewitt's section. Andy Murray's in there, too.

Agassi's in Nadal's portion of the draw, so is Feliciano Lopez, his buddy and Wimbledon housemate who made the quarters last year (first Spaniard in 33 years to do so). F-Lo has been having a dismal year and drawing Ivan Ljubicic in the opening round won't necessarily help matters.

ETA: Player Reaction to the Draw

Hewitt Wins 4th Queen's Club

Lleyton Hewitt defeated James Blake in straight sets to become a 4-time champion at Queen's Club. Great news for Lleyton going into Wimbledon; does this make him the second favorite for Wimbledon? Here's a match summary.

I missed the match, so I'm not sure if James maintained his excellent play from yesterday or if Lleyton was just too good today. Did anyone see it?

Friday Interviews: Queen's and Halle

Here's Federer's post-Rochus interview, and Nadal's, Hewitt's, Roddick's and Henman's from Queen's.

FO Rematches at Queen's: Blake v. Monfils; Nadal vs. Hewitt, Tim vs. Dmitri

Well, this should be an interesting set of quarterfinals. I'm going to say that revenge takes the day and Henman, Blake and 3-time Queen's champion Hewitt win. What do you think? Does Nadal have a chance?

Also: Roddick over Srichaphan in a straight sets after a tiebreak first set, and Monfils upset Ljubicic. Up next, Roddick's got this week's ATP blogger, super-friendly Chilean Fernando Gonzalez.

Don't forget to check out the video highlights from the Queen's website.

Queen's Club Transcripts

Hurray for Queen's Club! Not only is Stella Artois a great beer, they've also put up a great website. They've got full transcripts of post-match interviews (as well as audio clips). Here are Rafal Nadal after defeating Mardy Fish, Lleyton Hewitt and Mark Philippoussis on their wins, Andy Murray on getting the early boot, Andre Agassi after the loss to Henman, and defending champ Andy Roddick on his 3-set scare.

And here's the archive.

Video: Lleyton Hewitt Does "Eye of the Tiger"

Lleyton preps for his Nadal match. Hmm.

Jensen Picks Hewitt Over Nadal; Federer's 25-win Streak

Luke Jensen over at ESPN is going with Hewitt over Nadal. Also, interesting fact; Federer has tied Sampras' and Connors' 25 consecutive Grand Slam match wins and is second only to the great Rod Laver, who holds the record at 29. Here's the article.

Lleyton Hewitt Interview

An email conversation with Lleyton Hewitt: 'Stepping on to a grass court I get a big smile on my face'

This interview from the Independent is grass-centric and oddly timed, but offers some nice insights from Hewitt about his game, the game and, of course, Andy Murray's game.

Audio: Roddick on His Injury

More bad news for former number 1s. First Lleyton's ankle, now Andy's foot. Here's the ABC/ESPN article.

Here are excerpts from Roddick's press conference at the World Team Cup: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3.

Hewitt Loses, Twists Ankle in First Round

Ouch. That's bad luck before the French. Here's the story.

Gasquet Loses in Qualifying, Gets 2nd Chance in Austria; Hewitt is Back

The final tune up before the French Open starts today in Pörtschach, Austria. World number 6 and top seed Nikolai Davydenko is also the defending champion. There are a handful of other big names in action this week--Lleyton Hewitt is finally back, and rising Spaniard/French Open dark horse Nico Almagro, who had to skip Hamburg, is here, too.

The real news is that Richard Gasquet and his beautiful backhand lost in the last round of the qualifiers--to number 312 in the world, Italian Leonardo Azzaro. Poor Richard is having a tough year.

Lucky for him, Rainer Schuttler pulled out so Gasquet got a last minute repreive and has capitalized on his Lucky Loser spot by taking out the third seed Dominik Hrbaty in three sets. He even served up a bagel in the first set, which should boost his anemic confidence this week. Next up is hometown hero Jurgen Melzer.

Other exciting match ups: Lleyton Hewitt and his coach Roger Rasheed are playing doubles against Juan Ignacio Chela and Luis Horna. You may or may not remember the incident during last year's Australian Open, when Chela seemed to spit "in the direction of" Hewitt and Rasheed cornered his team in the locker room after the match. Now if that kind of backstory doesn't bring in the crowds to a first round doubles match, I don't know what will.

Hewitt Baby Appears on Awards Show

From The Advertiser: Mia makes Logies debut (picture with article)

JUST when we thought they couldn't get any tackier, out come Bec and Lleyton Hewitt carrying their baby daughter Mia to present a Logie.

While it was for Most Outstanding Children's Program, the presence of Mia, who was in a Zimmerman dress like mum, was just plain strange - we're only used to seeing her in Woman's Day, or hidden under a blanket...

Hewitt Won't Play Rome

From The Advertiser: Hewitt skips Rome for Sydney practice

LLEYTON Hewitt has pulled out of next week's Rome Masters, citing scheduling issues.

The world No.14 will remain in Sydney to practise at a private venue with his coach Roger Rasheed before tackling the Hamburg Masters from May 15...

Hewitt vs. ATP Gets Court Date

At this point I don't care who wins the case; I just wish they'd finally get it over with.

From the Herald Sun: Hewitt gets date for court

LLEYTON Hewitt's court action for damages against the governing body of the men's professional tennis tour will begin in Adelaide next February, just after the Australian Open.

Justice Tim Anderson yesterday scheduled the defamation action for a three-week civil trial following the conclusion of the Open.

Another Week, Another Fight With the Media for Hewitt

The problem this week - New Idea bought an interview Lleyton Hewitt did with freelance journalist Craig Gabriel and published it as a New Idea exclusive along with paparazzi photos of Lleyton, Bec and little Mia. 

It's a glowing fluff piece, but Hewitt is upset because he and Bec are being paid not by New Idea, but by Woman's Day for exclusive access to their private lives.

The Australian has tons of details: Hewitt puts mag's grand slam centre court

And someone on Men's Tennis Forums posted the New Idea article on this page here (scroll down the page a bit).

All this trouble cannot possibly be worth the million dollars Woman's Day is reported to be paying Lleyton Hewitt and Bec Cartwright.

Besides which, and I want to shout this from the rooftop to every famous parent who thinks his/her child is appropriate news copy, "If you want your child to have any chance of a decent life, GET HIM OFF THE FRONT PAGE until he's old enough to decide for himself that he (or she in this case) wants to be there."

Poor Mia.

Oh - and add Craig Gabriel to the ever-growing list of reporters that Lleyton Hewitt won't talk to.

Hewitt Criticizes Magazine

From the AAP: Hewitt denies New Idea

Tennis star Lleyton Hewitt has denied he gave an exclusive interview about his family to a women's magazine or entered into a contract with the publication.

Hewitt, wife Bec and four-month-old baby Mia appear in an eight-page spread in April's New Idea magazine which hit the stands on Tuesday.

The article claims to be a "world exclusive Lleyton Hewitt interview".

But in a statement from his lawyers, Hewitt said he had not participated in an interview or photo shoot for New Idea, and had not agreed to the publication of the article or photographs.

Hewitt Wins in Three

From The Desert Sun: Hewitt's a Top-10 hit

Lleyton Hewitt made his first appearance at the Pacific Life Open and faced a marathon match against Rainer Schuettler.

For Schuettler, however, it was his second marathon of the tournament.

The 29-year-old German's first round victory spanned three days due to inclement weather. His next match - and Hewitt's first - turned into a three-set defeat totaling 2 hours, 46 minutes.

No. 10 Hewitt, a two-time Pacific Life Open champion, squeezed out a 7-6 (3), 2-6, 6-4 triumph that will send him into the fourth round against Tomas Berdych, a 6-4, 6-4 winner over Tim Henman.

Lleyton Hewitt, Hawkeye, and the Australian Open

Sometimes you have to wonder how relations between Lleyton Hewitt and the Australian press got quite this bad.

From The Courier Mail: As long as Lleyton's happy

IT will be interesting to see how the new Hawk-eye video technology performs at the US Open tennis tournament this year but don't expect that to have any impact on whether it is adopted in Australia.

The fans might want it, the players might want it and the officials might even want it but let's not kid ourselves.

The Australian Open will introduce Hawk-eye if and when Lleyton Hewitt says he wants it...

Lleyton and Bec: Overexposed?

From The Advertiser: Why the deuce do we smother out celebrities?

SURELY I'm not the only one who's full to the tonsils of Lleyton and Bec. If Lleyton Hewitt and his wife, Bec Cartwright, are the equivalent of Australia's celebrity royal family, then it's a pretty average imperial court.

L and B have become the Australian equivalents of the English magazine freak show, soccer star David Beckham and his wife, Posh Spice. Like Bec, Posh is famous because she is Posh.

Hewitt Will Play Davis Cup Against Belarus

From The Age: Hewitt signals temporary truce by agreeing to play cup tie

THE feud between Lleyton Hewitt and Tennis Australia over the speed of the courts at the Australian Open and the treatment of the supporter group the Fanatics appeared to ease yesterday after Hewitt announced he would play in next month's Davis Cup tie against Belarus at Kooyong.

But despite an apparent compromise that will significantly boost Australia's chances of reaching the semi-finals and protect Hewitt from the criticism he would have received had he boycotted the tie, it remains uncertain in which direction the olive branch was handed.

Hewitt Wins Tight Match Against Mayer

From Sporting Life: Hewitt squeezes through

Top seed Lleyton Hewitt overcame a 66-minute rain delay to secure a three-set triumph over Florian Mayer in the first round of the Tennis Channel Open.

Hewitt, a former world number one, is without a trophy for 15 months and was made to work hard against a stubborn German opponent before clinching a 5-7 6-2 6-4 success.

"I felt like I got better and better as the match went on," said Hewitt, who blasted 35 winners and committed 25 unforced errors in the match that lasted one hour, 51 minutes.

"Hopefully, it holds me in good stead for my next one."...

Lleyton Hewitt in Las Vegas

Las Vegas must be a nice change of scenery for Lleyton Hewitt.  In contrast to all the recent media attacks on him in Australia (most deserved, a few not), Las Vegas declared a "Lleyton Hewitt Day".

But I suspect Hewitt must have been a little bemused when the mayor of Vegas presented him with a bobblehead doll of...the mayor playing tennis.  I guessing that doesn't make it into the luggage that goes back home to Australia.

From the Las Vegas Review-Journal: Hewitt determined to recapture top form

Lleyton Hewitt was the top-ranked tennis player in the world. But the injuries that have slowed the Australian the past couple of years make that seem like a lifetime ago.

Despite a seemingly insurmountable obstacle named Roger Federer and the fact Hewitt hasn't won a tournament in 13 months, he remains resolute in his desire to regain the No. 1 ranking.

Lleyton Hewitt Documentary to Air on The Tennis Channel

So this must be the documentary that led to the lawsuit that led to the end of Lleyton Hewitt's friendship with Andrew McLeod.  As always my common refrain is...if only I got The Tennis Channel.  But I can't, so if anyone sees this please let us know your reaction.

From Tennis Week: TTC Documentary Reveals Other Side Of Hewitt

The Tennis Channel has gotten inside Lleyton Hewitt's head and will take viewers on a revealing trip to the other side of Hewitt later this month.

The Tennis Channel will give American audiences unprecedented access to Hewitt in a three-part documentary series that premieres next week. Lleyton Hewitt: The Other Side, follows Australia’s top-ranked tennis player and one of most recognized faces in tennis as he loses a major match, wins a bride and finds time away from the game with friends and family. The exclusive series represents the first time American television audiences will get such exclusive access to the life of Hewitt, one of the most charismatic and controversial players on the men’s professional tennis tour...

Alexander Says Hewitt's Popularity At Risk

From The Sydney Morning Herald: Hewitt cup stance steps over line, warns Alexander

LLEYTON Hewitt's reluctance to play in the Davis Cup and his spat with the national ruling body will sink his popularity with the Australian public, warns former cup star John Alexander.

"The one thing that really gains the public's admiration is that he always plays Davis Cup," Alexander said. "He puts that in peril if he now chooses not to play."...

Hewitt May Skip Next Round of Davis Cup

Lleyton Hewitt has readjusted his strategy a bit in his war against the Australian Tennis Federation.  Now, according to Hewitt, it's not just him who's being wronged - it's all Australian tennis players.  Yeah, right.

From Reuters: Hewitt considering skipping Davis Cup tie

Former US Open and Wimbledon champion Lleyton Hewitt says he may not play in the Davis Cup tie against Belarus in April.

Hewitt, who has only missed two Davis Cup ties since making his debut in 1999, said playing for Australia was no longer his top priority.

"This year the majors are the most important things to me," said Hewitt, who won his first-round match against Paul Goldstein of the United States at the ATP event in San Jose today.

"I'll play the (Davis Cup) ties on their merits and on how my body is, and to where they fit into my schedule.

"I'll approach each tie differently."...