Hewitt raring to go after lay-off
Lleyton Hewitt, the former world No1, is adamant his long lay-off from competitive tennis will not affect him in the opening singles match of the Davis Cup Final against Spain's Juan Carlos Ferrero in Melbourne tomorrow.
Hewitt, who has not played since the semi-final against Switzerland in September, has slipped down the rankings and is below fellow Australian Mark Philippoussis, who takes on Carlos Moya in the second singles tie at the Rod Laver Arena.
"I've been looking forward to this since I came off court against Roger Federer in the last tie and nothing has changed," Hewitt said today. "It's been a long eight weeks for me.
"All my focus has been on this tie and probably this match, knowing that I was going to be playing Juan Carlos on day one."
Hewitt, the 2001 US Open and 2002 Wimbledon champion, said part of his long break had been enforced.
"It wasn't entirely my choice. I had a foot problem and I had to get that sorted out."
