2014 will not be the last time Lleyton Hewitt takes court for an Australian Open.
Questioning Hewitt’s ability to keep coming back ahead of an Australian Open is seemingly becoming a annual topic of media discussion, but the notion of giving his career away at age 32 is something the former world No.1 is currently laughing at.
Hewitt promised to continue to add to his 17 appearances at the Aussie Open.
“It won’t be the last,” Hewitt said of next year’s Grand Slam opener.
“I can’t see myself finishing at the end of the year at the European indoor tournaments.
“I am just going out there and enjoying it.”
The veteran made a customary loud comeback in 2013; finally overcoming years of troublesome foot injuries to post some impressive wins.
Having at one stage almost fallen out of the top 200, Hewitt put the past couple of disappointing seasons well and truly behind him this year by defeating top 10 opponents Juan Martin Del Potro and Stanislas Wawrinka in grand slams.
“But beating guys like Del Potro and Wawrinka – two form players in the top seven in the world this year – gives me a lot of confidence that over five sets I can hang with the best of them. “However, my goals are the same. World rankings are the least of my worries.
“I am not trying to get back into the top five in the world.
“I just prefer preparing for the grand slams and the Davis Cup.
“I would rather spend a lot of time with my family.”
Hewitt faced Del Potro once again this week in an exhibition match in La Plata, going down 6-3, 7-6 (7-3) to the 25-year-old.
The Brisbane International will feature Roger Federer, a player Hewitt respects immensely and a Australian Open lead-up challenge he is opening to receive.
Hewitt described the 17-time grand slam winner as still a “benchmark for this sport”, “the top player and the number one seed here”, hoping to add the current world No.6 to list of big name scalps.
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