Lleyton Hewitt Outraged He Did Not Get a Doubles Wildcard

Written by: on 26th July 2012
Lleyton Hewitt
Lleyton Hewitt Outraged He Did Not Get a Doubles Wildcard

epa03282324 Lleyton Hewitt of Australia argues a call as he takes on Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France during their first round match for the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, in London, Britain, 26 June 2012. EPA/GERRY PENNY  |

Lleyton Hewitt has never fought shy of controversy or taking on the bureaucrats of tennis during his 15 years long professional career and now the Australian former world no.1 is picking another fight with in the International Tennis Federation after not being handed a wild card into the Olympic men’s doubles draw.

Hewitt, aged 31 and about to contest his third Olympics is furious he and regular Davis Cup partner Chris Guccione were denied a place in the competition. “I can’t work out why Gooch and I didn’t get a wildcard,” Hewitt, known as “Rusty” to his teammates, said.

”We’re both probably two of the longest-standing Davis Cup players and we’ve never lost a Davis Cup match. Last Davis Cup tie we beat {Roger] Federer and [Stanislas] Wawrinka on grass. I don’t think the ITF have got an explanation.”

Australian Olympic Committee media director Mike Tancred maintained the omission of the Hewitt/Guccione partnership had nothing to do with national selection but purely an ITF decision.

“We would have loved to have seen them in the doubles but unfortunately the ITF ruled that they did not have enough points,” Tancred said. We feel for Lleyton, because he’s been a great supporter of Davis Cup and Olympics tennis.

”We approached the ITF on his behalf but it was totally and utterly their decision. Our hands were tied.”

Hewitt is insistent an extra month of tennis has seen a big improvement in his recovery from major foot surgery. The 2002 Wimbledon champion was unfortunate at being drawn against fifth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the first round of the Championships and lost in three sets. But he then traveled across the Atlantic and reached the final of the Campbell’s Hall of Fame Championships on the grass of Newport, Rhode Island.

“I didn’t play badly at Wimbledon and I knew that at the time,” Hewitt said. “I had 10 or 11 break points, and he hit nine or 10 aces on all of them. Going into the Olympics I know here on Wimbledon’s grass, if I play my best I can give most of the guys a pretty good run. Over three sets, as well, there’s going to be a few more upsets so I’ve got a good chance.”

“Obviously I’ve been able to win Davis Cups, and Grand Slams and been no.1. It would mean an awful lot, but it’s not going to be easy.”

Tennis Australian team leader Todd Woodbridge watched Hewitt practicing with Wimbledon champion Roger Federer and was heartened by what he saw. “Lleyton is moving better than he was here four weeks ago,” said Woodbridge.

“He is the best I have seen him for a long time. It has been years since he was pain free. If he can get a reasonable draw he is certainly hitting the ball well enough to go into the tournament.”

And Woodbridge believes Hewitt will be happy to team up with U.S.Open champion Samantha Stosur with the hope of Mixed Doubles success. “I think Lleyton is up for a medal and if he could get a medal in any way, shape or form he will take it, so if it means he can get out there in the mixed think he will have a go,” said Woodbridge.

©Daily Tennis News Wire

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