Lleyton Hewitt Denies Retirement is Approaching

Written by: Staff on 30th July 2012

Lleyton Hewitt Denies Retirement is Approaching

epa03282265 Lleyton Hewitt of Australia returns to 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 enters as Australia’s battler in yet another Olympic games, with the 31-year-old former Wimbledon winner assuring that retirement is not yet on the horizon.

The veteran who claimed the All England club title in 2002, is carrying on after finally curing a lingering foot problem which required at last two operations. The Aussie said that he’s all about getting on with the job, though he admits he’s playing in his last Olympics this week.

“There has been speculation for the last 20 Grand Slams. I’m the ultimate professional, focussed on what I have to do, and once you get other thoughts, you’re not going to do your best,” he told local media.

Hewitt is tipping Andy Murray as in with a chance in the gold medal chase over three sets on grass at Wimbledon . The Scot is seeded third behind Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic thanks to the knee injury absence of Rafael Nadal, the 2008 Beijing winner.

Murray is hoping to put aside heartbreak after losing the Wimbledon final to Federer less than a month ago on the lawns. “Those three guys are on form, how they have been playing in the last three or four years means they are worthy favourites for the medals,” said Hewitt, ranked 158th,

“With ( Murray ) being one of a number of Brits going for a medal, it might take a tiny bit of pressure off him that he normally has. He got upset early in Beijing in 2008 which was disappointing, and he has a tough first round, so he’s got to be ready. It’s a tough situation at home, but it’s something he will be ready for.”

Topics: All England Club, Australia tennis news, Lleyton Hewitt, London Olympics, Sports, Wimbledon 2012