Hewitt Is High on Motivation

Written by: Staff on 30th December 2011

Hewitt Is High on Motivation

Australia's Lleyton Hewitt in action against Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka during their Davis Cup world group play-off in Sydney, 18 September 2011. Play was suspended shortly before 6pm due to low light. EPA/DEAN LEWINS AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT, EDITORIAL USE ONLY |

©”DAILY TENNIS NEWS WIRE”©

Known as one of the greatest battlers on the court for more than a decade, Australia’s Lleyton Hewitt is conscious that the image he presents can be a major motivator for players following in his wake. And despite injury worries that have severely limited his schedule for the past couple of seasons, he is determined to maintain that image.

“I’m pumped up to play the Australian summer again, and I’ve done everything in my power to get as close to 100% (fit) as possible. There’s no stone unturned for me and that’s what I pride myself on doing – being as professional as possible and hopefully that rubs off on some of the younger Australian guys,” he said at the Hyundai Hopman Cup where he will partner Jarmila Gajdosova.

“Especially around the Davis Cup team and with Patty Rafter as captain and now and Rochey (Tony Roche) as the coach – I think it’s a good team mix and hopefully some of the senior stuff can rub off on the younger guys.”

Although his ranking has slumped to close to 200, the 31-year old is determined to keep playing. And despite the fact that he will need to rely on wild cards to play any meaningful event on the ATP Tour he has absolutely no intention of giving up the fight just yet.

“I’ve obviously got a beautiful wife and three kids now as well to look after, but the motivation is still there for me to go out there and compete otherwise I wouldn’t be doing it,” he said. “I’m probably more motivated now than even a couple of years ago really. Sometimes you just go through the motions a little bit I think, and you take everything for granted.

“Right at the moment, this situation, and the rest of my body feels unbelievable. It’s just been this sort of niggling foot injury and if I can get over that then I’ll 100% totally and fully committed to doing all the right things. Hopefully that’s just around the corner.”

©”DAILY TENNIS NEWS WIRE”©