Courts adjusted to Hewitt specs

[Brinyi]

Advantage Hewitt as Australian Open rebounds with promise of faster surface

October 4, 2006

THE Australian Open court surface will be as fast for the duration of the 2007 tournament as it was for the second week of this year's event - and the quicker Rebound Ace should mean a happier Lleyton Hewitt, who can claim a small but not insignificant victory.

Hewitt was around only for the opening days of the 2006 Open, losing in the second round to Juan Ignacio Chela before departing with his now annual complaint about the pace of the rubberised hardcourt he maintains has done the Australian players no favours in recent years.

Since then, long-time chief executive and Hewitt adversary Paul McNamee has resigned, leaving new tournament director Craig Tiley to confirm at yesterday's Open launch that the main aim was to provide "uniformity and consistency" when the stadium's match and practice courts are resurfaced next month.

Yet as much as Tiley was at pains to stress the international nature of the event, the integrity of which must be upheld, the courts will be faster at least in the first week of the 2007 tournament, and that will suit Hewitt, the sole Australian man ranked in the top 100 and the beaten finalist in 2005.

Tiley said the Australian Open had been categorised as a "medium to medium-fast court" by the International Tennis Federation, and confirmed Tennis Australia's commitment to providing a surface that fitted that category on all courts for all 14 days of the grand slam tournament - which next year will offer a $20 million prizemoney purse for the first time, up five per cent. Ticket prices, meanwhile, have risen by an average of 7.8 per cent.

"Where we ended up at the tournament last year, probably the last week, is ideally where we want to have the entire tournament this year," Tiley said. "The courts will be the same as they were in the last week and they'll be in the category of medium to medium-fast.

"I think the perception was certainly that the first week was slower than the second week," he conceded, adding that player feedback about the surface had been generally positive, with many of the top seeds reaching at least the semi-final stage.

Tiley said there had been "ongoing discussions" with Hewitt's management on various issues, including next year's opening Davis Cup tie against Belgium, but insisted international players would be kept equally well informed of court speed developments.

"We're talking to Lleyton's management on a variety of subjects but with this particular one we've indicated to Lleyton's management team that this is our objective," Tiley said. "The general feedback we've got, I would say, [is that he's] pleased with the fact that we are paying attention to this."

Tiley and TA chief executive Steve Wood confirmed the Open would be the second slam to introduce the Hawk-Eye video line-calling system, which was adopted to general acclaim from players and spectators at the US Open. Used on two stadium courts at Flushing Meadows, the system will initially operate at the Australian Open only on Rod Laver Arena, where two giant screens will be installed. Details, such as the number of player challenges allowable, are still to be announced.

In New York, challenges were limited to two per set, if unsuccessful, and one more during a tiebreaker. Players won their line-call challenges 32 per cent of the time (men 31, women 36, doubles 29) from an average of 2.44 per match.

Unlike last year, when McNamee effectively promised a wildcard to Mark Philippoussis, Tiley also said there were no guarantees for any player outside the rankings cut-off, with two of the original eight wildcards in each draw earned by Australian players through performances and three allocated to fellow grand slam federations and Asia.

If the Open started tomorrow, only the rankings of Hewitt, Stosur and Nicole Pratt :lust: would guarantee them entry.

[shenaynay]

Lleyton, you still have no chance of winning.

[janie]

But he'll have to find some other excuse for losing this time. Fun!

[Brinyi]

"I believe I am one of a handful who have a real chance of beating Roger."
-- L. Hewitt

"LOL."
-- Sane People

[freudo]

brinyi said:

"I believe I am one of a handful who have a real chance of beating Roger."
-- L. Hewitt

"LOL."
-- Sane People

too funny

[Brinyi]

freudo said:

brinyi said:

"I believe I am one of a handful who have a real chance of beating Roger."
-- L. Hewitt

"LOL."
-- Sane People

too funny

Maybe he meant Roger Rasheed.

[tennis4you]

He had to mean Rasheed. Federer has pretty much handed him his a$$ the last few times they played if I recall correctly. And last I check, Hewitt has not been improving.

[:rolleyes:]

shut the fuck up tennis4you

[Brinyi]

"I think I'm a better player now than I probably was when I was number one, number two in the world a couple of years ago."
-- L. Hewitt

" "
-- Most Everyone Else

[leelee]

Oh, Lleyton. So silly.

[Brinyi]

Hewitt left in lurch as coach quits

Former world number one Lleyton Hewitt has been left in the lurch just a week before the Australian Open after his coach, Roger Rasheed quit this afternoon.

Long-term friend Rasheed walked out on the former Wimbledon and U.S. Open champion saying he could see no way of achieving the results the pair were looking for.

The news could barely have come at a worse time for Hewitt, just a day after losing in his home-town tournament in Adelaide to world number 94 Igor Kunitsyn and just over a week before the grand slam tournament he covets most.

"This is the hardest decision I've ever had to make, but one I felt I had no choice but to make," Rasheed said in a statement.

"Within the current environment, I don't believe it is possible for us to get the results we are looking for.

"The timing is not ideal, but I feel that it is in both of our best interests that this decision not be delayed."

Rasheed, who has recently become a father, added he would be happy to continue coaching with another player.

Rasheed was appointed Hewitt's coach in June 2003, shortly after the combustible Australian ended his 18-month tenure at the top of the world rankings.

Hewitt ended 2006 with a world ranking of 20 after a year that saw him secure just one title, at London's Queen's Club in June.

Hewitt's best effort at the Australian Open, which starts on January 15, was a runner-up finish to Marat Safin in 2005.

[janie]

more ...

Coach falls out with Hewitt
By Daniel Brettig
January 05, 2007
LLEYTON Hewitt's coach Roger Rasheed tonight made the surprise announcement he was cutting ties with Australia's declining No.1 tennis player, saying the pair could no longer work together.

The loss of Rasheed, Hewitt's mentor since 2003 and his third coach since turning professional, is a major blow just two weeks out from the Australian Open, and the day after a poor defeat at the hands of Russian baseliner Igor Kunitsyn.

Hewitt was seen to look accusingly towards Rasheed throughout that match , and it is believed the pair had a sizeable argument immediately after the loss.

Ha, pretty soon there won't be anyone left who's willing to work with Chip. How about just sticking with Mommy and Daddy, then?

[Brinyi]

I bet "Bilk-ic" would be glad to take the job!

[janie]

Perfect choice! Bilk-ic is certainly used to being looked at accusingly, and he is also quite experienced with players with nutso parents. His only drawback is that he can't coach tennis, but you can't have everything!

[Brinyi]

Hewitt may have Cash on his side

By Leo Schlink

January 07, 2007 12:00

AUSTRALIA'S past two Wimbledon champions may unite in a bid to relaunch Lleyton Hewitt's stuttering career following the shock resignation of his coach Roger Rasheed.

Pat Cash, the 1987 Wimbledon champion, has put up his hand to help Hewitt, who won at the All England club in 2002.

Hewitt's preferred coaching options are reportedly Pat Rafter and Wally Masur, but neither can do the job on a long-term basis.

However, Masur may take over as interim coach at the Australian Open, which starts tomorrow week.

Cash, who guided Mark Philippoussis to a US Open final and Greg Rusedski to his career-best ranking, said yesterday that he was interested in the job but also on a part-time basis.

"It would be interesting to to work with someone as good as Lleyton,'' Cash said.

"He's a great player, but my issue is time. I've got so much stuff going on up here (Gold Coast) with a real estate company, coaching and playing. If I could help out in an emergency situation like going down to Melbourne for the Australian Open, maybe we could do something like that.''

Cash, brothers Mark and Scott Draper and his first mentor Peter Smith were all linked to the coaching vacancy yesterday. Hewitt was shocked late Friday by the resignation of Rasheed, who had worked with the Wimbledon and US Open winner since June 2003.

Hewitt and Rasheed clashed after the world No20 was beaten by Russian Igor Kunitsyn in Adelaide on Thursday night.

Rasheed was aggrieved by comments directed at him by Hewitt during the match and quit the next day.

Scott Draper has remained close to Hewitt since retiring from tennis and becoming a professional golfer, and his appeal is based around his ability to act as a practice partner.

Draper's brother, also a former player with Wimbledon experience, is highly regarded within the Australian system.

Smith taught Hewitt how to play and remains heavily involved in the sport as a revered teacher in Adelaide. He has occasionally travelled with Hewitt since the South Australian turned professional.
Hewitt yesterday received more treatment on his torn right calf from physiotherapist Dean Ellis before making plans to fly interstate on a private jet.

It was not known whether Hewitt was still obliged to travel to Sydney to complete a medical examination with the tournament doctor after withdrawing from the Sydney International. He is expected to travel to Melbourne early this week to prepare for the Australian Open in eight days.

He is yet to comment publicly on Rasheed's decision to quit. But his former coach described his departure as "the hardest decision I've ever had to make''.

Hewitt has been previously coached by Darren Cahill, who also guided Andre Agassi to grand slam success, and Jason Stoltenberg. Both resigned from the position.

[Brinyi]

Draper to tee-up with Hewitt
By Chip Le Grand
January 09, 2007

FACED with a major title drought, an unbeatable rival and the abrupt loss of a coach and friend from his entourage, Lleyton Hewitt has gone back to where it all began.

Scott Draper, a retired tennis player trying to earn his keep around the fairways and greens of the Australian PGA Tour, holds a small but notable place in Hewitt lore.

Back in the summer of 1998, when Hewitt was a little-known, frizzy-haired 16-year-old trying to fist-pump his way onto the professional tour, it was Draper he first encountered on the opposite side of the net at Adelaide's Memorial Drive.

Hewitt was ranked No.550 in the world and Draper 58. The match that followed wasn't even close.

In a little over an hour, Draper became victim No.1 in a career that quickly elevated Hewitt to the top of the tennis heap at breath-taking speed.

That week in Adelaide, a week that culminated in Hewitt beating his boyhood idol Andre Agassi and future coach Jason Stoltenberg to win his maiden ATP title, was the first in which Hewitt took men's tennis by storm.

Yesterday, Draper agreed to help Hewitt weather a storm of a different kind as fill-in coach for next week's Australian Open.

In little more than one tumultuous month, Hewitt has sacked his business manager, lost an early round match in Adelaide to Russian Igor Kunitsyn, strained his calf on the eve of the year's first major tournament, withdrawn from his regular warm-up event and been sacked by his coach of three and a half years, friend and one-time fitness adviser Roger Rasheed.

While Rasheed has not publicly detailed the reasons for his snap decision, they are understood to centre on the courtside abuse he was regularly subjected to whilst on the Hewitt payroll.

In a diplomatically worded statement, Rasheed said: "within the current environment, I don't believe it is possible for us to get the results we are looking for."

Hewitt abusing coaches is not new. The same behaviour prompted Darren Cahill to quit after guiding Hewitt to the world No.1 ranking and later influenced Stoltenberg's exit from the Hewitt camp.

But the predicament Hewitt now finds himself in is frustratingly unfamiliar.

Not since 1999 has he ended a year clinging to the laces of the world's best 20 players. It is five years since he won the second of his grand slam titles and four years since he last beat Roger Federer, the defending champion at Melbourne Park.

Last year was the first since 2003 that Hewitt failed to reach at least the semi-finals of a grand slam tournament.

Tellingly, the slump began in earnest in Melbourne last year, when he struggled to get past Czech Robin Vik in the first round after early exits in Adelaide and Sydney.

Rarely had Hewitt appeared so hesitant on a tennis court. Rarely has he produced his best game since.

Draper doesn't consider himself the man to turn Hewitt's career around. Rather than contemplating a new career as a full-time, travelling tennis coach, Draper sees himself merely as helping out a mate in a pinch.

Now that he is making his way as a golfer, Draper has no ambition to return to life on the tennis tour, whether for Hewitt or any other player.

Hewitt's manager, Justin Cohen, last night issued a statement describing the agreement as "open-ended".

"We will see how things unfold over the next two weeks," the statement said.

"Scott is a very positive and level-headed individual and we are very happy to have him on board."

Hewitt and Draper are good friends away from tennis and are regular golf partners.

But, if they are to get along in the hothouse environment of an Australian Open, Hewitt will need to control his on-court temper and curb his tongue.

While Hewitt is renowned as one of the more abrasive figures on the men's tour, Draper was one of the most amicable.

It is understood Hewitt is recovering well from the calf strain that hampered his performance in Adelaide and plans to begin work with Draper in Melbourne as early as tomorrow.

[Brinyi]

Rafter told Sydney's Daily Telegraph on Tuesday that Hewitt called on Friday and asked him to coach him during the Australian Open, starting in Melbourne on Jan. 15.

But Rafter said he could not take the job because of his own family commitments.

"I did think about helping out Lleyton but it was impossible," Rafter told the paper. "I won't be in Melbourne for the Open because we're moving house and I can't get around it."

[janie]

I guess Wally Masur suddenly remembered that he's moving house those two weeks, too. ;D I love this whole story. It's such a schadenfreude classic!

[DBBN]

brinyi said:

Rafter told Sydney's Daily Telegraph on Tuesday that Hewitt called on Friday and asked him to coach him during the Australian Open, starting in Melbourne on Jan. 15.

But Rafter said he could not take the job because of his own family commitments.

"I did think about helping out Lleyton but it was impossible," Rafter told the paper. "I won't be in Melbourne for the Open because we're moving house and I can't get around it."

Oh Swolley

He'd never have come right out and said he fucking hated the little bastard, would he

[Brinyi]

Court same as last year: Federer
By Chip Le Grand
January 10, 2007

DESPITE rumours to the contrary, Roger Federer believes the centre court speed and bounce for next week's Australian Open has not changed since last year.

Federer has been in Melbourne for a full week preparing his title defence and was asked yesterday for his verdict on the centre court surface, the subject of bitter dispute between Hewitt and former tournament director Paul McNamee.

"I find it pretty much the same," Federer said.

"I didn't feel any difference to last year. I was also expecting a big difference because everyone has been talking about it.

"But the bounce is usual. It adapts to the heat and everything; when it is more hot it bounces more, it flies more.

"That's how it has always been here in Australia, so I don't see a change really."

New tournament director Craig Tiley instructed Rebound Ace to prepare the centre court surface earlier than normal to allow greater "consistency and uniformity" over the two weeks of the Open and between the Rod Laver Arena and outside courts.

This was widely interpreted as providing a faster, more Hewitt-friendly court to avoid a repeat of last year's surface tensions.

A month ago, Wayne Arthurs noted a lower, quicker bounce than previous years.

"Lleyton will like it, I think," Arthurs said.

With the start of the tournament only five days away, however, Federer's assessment of status quo was backed by Andy Roddick, a two-time semi-finalist in Melbourne.

"I was expecting the same as Roger," Roddick said.

"I heard in the last couple of weeks maybe it was going to be a little bit quicker this year but it kind of feels similar to past years."

The speed and bounce of the Melbourne Park courts has been a perennial bugbear among Australian players, although Hewitt is the first to take the issue on as a personal crusade.

In one press conference last year, he did not rule out a link between the court surface issue and his reluctance to make himself available for Davis Cup duty.

But Hewitt's disparaging description of the surface as "green clay" is at odds with the roll call of recent men's winners: US Open champions Federer, Marat Safin and Andre Agassi plus Thomas Johansson, whose other best grand slam result was at Wimbledon.

Federer, Roddick and Safin will today shift their preparations across town from Melbourne Park to Kooyong for the start of the AAMI Classic.

[janie]

If there's one thing I hate, it's perennial bugbears!

[Brinyi]

They make me say, "Bugger"!

[janie]

www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21064342-2722,00.html

It's time Lleyton 'became an adult'

Chip Le Grand [*Note: I did not make up this guy's name!]
January 16, 2007

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.

Speaking on Radio 927, the retired doubles maestro and former Davis Cup player and coach questioned whether Hewitt could rejoin the game's elite while he had so many distractions.

Woodbridge referred to the abrupt resignation of coach Roger Rasheed, the sacking of former manager Rob Aivatoglou and legal wrangles with one-time friend and Adelaide footballer Andrew McLeod as examples of distractions incompatible with Hewitt playing his best tennis.

"With Lleyton, he is a bit of an angry young man and when he was younger he used to put that energy into the court and winning matches," Woodbridge said.

"Now all of that energy is being expended around his outer life and when he gets on court he often looks flat.

"You just cannot have all this stuff going on in your life of sacking managers, and coaches walking out, and law suits here and law suits there, and really have enough energy left to focus on playing your best tennis. I really do think it does sap him.

"I don't think he looks as sharp on the court as what he used to and it is probably time where he has got to bite the bullet and say to himself: 'Do I want to get back to the top of the game? Do I want to win major championships?' If that is the case, he has got to do something about his life outside the tennis court."

Woodbridge's comments reaffirm the view many [= all] in Australian tennis privately hold. But he is the first member of the Davis Cup brethren [with the guts] to express this view so clearly in public. While the pair retains a civil relationship, they fell out over comments made by Woodbridge prior to last year's Wimbledon tournament, when he said Hewitt was not spending enough time on tour. Woodbridge was subsequently dumped from the coaching staff of the Australian Davis Cup team.

Tonight's line-up on centre court has a strong Australian flavour, with Hewitt favoured against Russell, a qualifier ranked outside the world's top 100 players, and Alicia Molik returning to the tournament she missed last year because of the effects of a rare middle-ear infection.

But Woodbridge's comments will leave a sour taste in the mouth of Hewitt and his family, who are unused to public criticism from within the Australian tennis establishment.

Woodbridge described Hewitt as "very social and relaxed" when away from tennis and a "good companion." But he questioned why Hewitt continued to rely so heavily on his parents. "A lot has been written about his father Glynn and I think that, perhaps now, he has got to realise that he is 26 years of age and he has got to make more decisions by himself and not rely so heavily upon the family.

"He has got his own wife and child and he has got to start doing some of those things by himself.

"You become an adult at some stage. [good luck with that!] I remember with my own self that at about 20 years of age, I had to say to my mum and dad I want to get married and you have got to let me make my decisions and my choices so I can become a better person and learn throughout my life.

"I think that he doesn't make a lot of his own decisions.

"They are made by other people for him. And so far, as it is turning out now, they are not really all that good." [to say the least!]

Last year was one of the more difficult in Hewitt's nine-year professional career. With the exception of a good run and loss to eventual champion Rafael Nadal at the French Open, Hewitt laboured in his other major championship appearances and had his hard court season interrupted by a nagging knee injury.

He drifted in the world rankings to finish on the fringe of the game's best 20 players.

[Brinyi]

Brown Woodie!

[janie]

I can't believe Woodbridge was dumped from the coaching staff of the Australian Davis Cup team for daring to criticize the odious Chip last year. That really leaves a bad taste in my mouth about the Aussie tennis people. It's even worse than them catering to Chip's demands regarding the AO court surface.

[janie]

" .... For other members of the Australian tennis club, week one of the Open has been spent saying the right things about Hewitt publicly and privately congratulating Woodbridge on having the nerve to say what they all really think."