Anaheim, California, Aug 21: His critics suggest victory in a bitter legal battle with the ATP has become more important to troubled Lleyton Hewitt than success on the tennis court. An extended run at the US Open, therefore, would provide the Australian with a perfect riposte and a positive finale to a grand slam season, which has been nothing short of miserable for the former world number one. Hewitt filed a court case in June against the ATP, emanating from his row with the governing body over his refusal to give a media interview in 2002.
The 22-year-old vehemently denies the affair is affecting his game but a poor run of results prove otherwise. Even his demeanour on court -- a betrayal of the intense competitor many have come to love or hate -- has at times shown Hewitt in a different light.
A fourth round exit at the Australian Open in January ensured his ambition of winning in his home country remains unfulfilled, while he made it to just the third round of the French Open in May.
But it was a first round defeat to unheralded Croatian Ivo Karlovic at Wimbledon in June -- the earliest exit for a defending champion in the open era -- which represented the nadir of Hewitt's year. Bureau Report