Hewitt and Roche team up in an ongoing desperation bid
Guess Roche is still in need of some income after being fired by Federer.
FORMER world No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt will link with Australian tennis legend Tony Roche in an attempt to recharge his career and boost his ranking from its current low of No. 21.
The US Open at Flushing Meadows will be the pair’s first event together as they pursue their goal of restoring the baseliner to the top of the pile. But it’s the Australian Open that they see as the jewel in the crown.
“He’s won the US Open so he knows how to do it and the real big goal would be, at this stage, winning the Australian Open,” Roche said.
“It’s about time an Aussie won the Australian Open. It’s been too long. I think you’ve got to shoot for the top and I wouldn’t be doing this job if I didn’t think Lleyton had a chance of winning a grand slam.”
Hewitt ranked his appearance as a finalist in the Australian Open two years ago as “one of the biggest moments of my career” and restated his desire to become the first Australian to win the tournament since Mark Edmondson in 1976.
“There’s still that trophy missing from my cabinet and I’d love nothing more than to win the Australian Open before I retire and we’ll try and do it,” Hewitt said.
Roche, a free agent since parting company with current No. 1 Roger Federer, is relishing the challenge of reviving Hewitt’s career, one which he considers as vital for the sport in this country. “Right now, it’s probably the most important thing for Australian tennis. We’re struggling, there’s no question, with the numbers we have in the top 100 and I think if Lleyton can get back and win majors and obviously do well in the Davis Cup, then it’s got to help Australian tennis,” Roche said. The Age
So NOW he is excited about Australian tennis?