Lleyton Hewitt may have won his last Grand Slam over a decade ago, but the former champ is using the US Open to turn back the clock on a once great career.
The 2001 champion defeated Evgeny Donskoy 6-3, 7-6, 3-6, 6-1 on Monday morning to advance to the second week of the tournament for the first time in seven years, but the 32-year-old admitted in the post-match press conference that he almost called it quits on his playing career after a couple of injury ravaged seasons.
Hewitt told reporters that he contemplated retirement following an average return from foot surgery in 2011, an injury that saw the two-time Grand Slam winner almost drop out of the world’s top 200.
“There was definitely a time those first few tournaments that I came back from that last operation where, you know, if it was still hurting as much as it was then now, I wouldn’t be playing still,” Hewitt said.
“I don’t know another athlete that’s come back from it.
“So yeah, as confident as my surgeon and I were with everything, and it went as well as possible – the operation – we didn’t know until I actually tried running on it.”
Hewitt cruised past his 23-year-old opponent to reach the US Open’s last 16, just days after upsetting 2009 winner, and world No.6, Juan Martin del Potro.
His recent run of success has caught the eye of a number of tennis stars.
”I was happy for Lleyton,” Rafael Nadal said after the Donskoy win. ”He’s a great fighter, after long time with a lot of injuries, [to] have the chance to be back. Still on the tour with motivation to keep playing, keep fighting, is something that I admire a lot [about] him.”
Tennis great Roger Federer also complimented Hewitt’s comeback, saying, ”He was looking great. I’m very happy for him,” Federer said. ”I like Juan Martin as well, a lot. I’ve known Lleyton much longer. He’s been one of my biggest rivals on tour, so I always like to see him do well, particularly here under the lights in New York.
”He deserves it. He’s gone through a lot, and I was very happy for him last night.”
Hewitt advances to face Russian Mikhail Youzhny, who defeated 12th-seeded German veteran Tommy Haas in the third round.
Get amongst CraveOnlineAU on Twitter and Facebook for daily sport, music, entertainment and gaming news.
Follow Robert White on Twitter @RobertWhitebrrr.
Don Emmert, Getty Images.
