[WhataQT]

Hewitt off court until 2007
By Leo Schlink
October 06, 2006
LLEYTON Hewitt yesterday formalised familiar plans for 2007 after doctors dropped the curtain on his troubled season.

Hewitt, 25, will not play again this season after being ordered to rest until mid-November, in the hope of overcoming patella tendinitis.

That leaves him no chance to force his way into the Tennis Masters Cup, and means he will miss the season-ending European indoor sweep and the chance to improve his ranking of 18.

Hewitt's hopes of regaining a top-10 berth will revolve around January's Australian circuit.

He will resume in the Adelaide International at Memorial Drive on January 1-7 before tackling the Sydney International on January 7-13.

He will then venture to Melbourne Park for another tilt at the Australian Open (January 15-28).

Hewitt's modest Australian summer circuit haul this year - second-round defeat, quarter-final loss and second-round disappointment - means he has virtually no ranking pressure ahead.

"Playing at Memorial Drive in front of my home town is always a great way to start off the new year," the dual Adelaide champion said.

"Obviously, Adelaide is where I broke through for my first professional title and I just love playing here.

"It is so important to get your preparation right for a grand slam and I think starting the year at Adelaide will set me up for a strong Australian Open campaign."

Tournament directors Peter Johnston and Mark Woodforde are negotiating with several highly ranked players for the Adelaide tournament, including world No.19 Andy Murray.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au...-23216,00.html

[Horatio Caine]

Recover quickly Lleyton

[Kristen]

That's awful... and props to him for giving DC a shot in Argentina.

2007 is not so far away, he'll be able to spend some time at home with family. Adelaide would be great to start 2007...but doesn't seem to be a great deal of preparation. Still, I suppose 'playing tennis', is the main goal.

good decision

[RonE]

Bummer. Get well soon Lleyton!

[CmonAussie]

Originally Posted by bad gambler

good decision

It pisses me off that Hewitt never seems to play the year out properly after USO ...
#2003~~ no ATP tourneys after USO
#2004~~ 3 ATP tourneys after USO (TMC final)
#2005~~ 1 ATP tourney after USO (retired QF in Bangkok)
#2006~~ no ATP tourneys after USO

....Also for the past few years Lleyton has played hardly any clay court tourneys except the French Open..

--->>> No wonder his ranking is dropping close to #20~~ since his #1 days he`s only played half the season..!! Apart from Federer how many players could afford to take half the season off & still maintain a strong ranking

****Atleast by the time AO 2007 comes our Rocky Llegs won`t be able to use any excuses about being burnt out or tired from the long tennis season

PS. Hewitt`s 2nd favourite sport is Aussie Rules football~~ they only play 1/2 seasons & Lleyton seems to use the same approach


From now on we should call him PART TIME LLEGS