Even With an Injury, Hewitt Will Play Davis Cup

Written by: Staff on 9th February 2012

Even With an Injury, Hewitt Will Play Davis Cup |

While three of the world’s leading four men (Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray) have declared Davis Cup off-limits this weekend, Lleyton Hewitt’s commitment to serving his country shows no signs of diminishing, and despite a chronically injured toe, will represent Australia at both singles and doubles in the Asia-Oceania qualifying tie against China.

Hewitt already holds the record for most Davis Cup victories by an Australian and this weekend he is set to draw level with Todd Woodbridge for most ties played when he lines up for the 32nd time.

The player from Adelaide was the last Australian to hit a ball in the World Group five years ago and is determined to win promotion back before finally bowing to the ravages of a decade and a half on the world’s tennis tour.

“Getting back into the World Group would mean a lot,” Hewitt said on Thursday ahead of the encounter at the Geelong Lawn Tennis Club. “It’s the whole team’s goal at the moment – it’s Pat Rafter’s goal as captain and Rochey’s (Tony Roche) goal as the coach.

“I’d love to give them the opportunity to get back into the World Group, but we can’t look too far down the line. Obviously it was disappointing to lose to Switzerland in September. That’s still in the back of my mind, so this tie couldn’t come around quickly enough for me.”

Hewitt is joined in Rafter’s team by Bernard Tomic, Chris Guccione and Matthew Ebden. And the player who turns 31 years old later this month intends to educate his younger team-mates.

“It’s about doing all the right things, the small one percenters for the team,” said Hewitt. “I learnt from the Woodies and Pat, Newk (John Newcombe) and Rochey leading the team.

“It’s a nice position for me to be in, being the elder statesman out there, but I’ve still got to go out there and try and get the win on the board.”

Hewitt will play China’s top-ranked player Zhang Ze (world no.278) in the opening singles match on Friday, while Tomic has been pitted against 502nd ranked Wu Di.

Topics: Davis Cup, Lleyton Hewitt