Does Lleyton Hewitt need the money?

[Alchemy-Z]

Maybe he just enjoys the tour.

The Travel/ Hanging out with the other guys/ Playing in front of big crowds.

I mean look at Jimmy Conners....had he not continued to play as long as he did we never would have had the magical USO semi final run..that was so historic.

Eventually you don;t count on them winning..but every once in a while you get to see the fire and the champion comes thru.

and players like this make for good early round upsets.

[Gasolina]

On a side note, I saw him hitting at USO grounds last year with Tomic. It was embarassing to see all these people ask autographs for Tomic and completely ignore the former #1 player on the other side.

Like maybe 2 or 3 people recognized him.

[OrangePower]

Presumably he is playing because he still loves tennis, enjoys tennis, and wants the challenge of playing against the top players. He probably thinks he can still get better as his health improves (whether that's realistic or not, who knows).

Actually I think this is to be admired.

[zam88]

Originally Posted by OrangePower

Presumably he is playing because he still loves tennis, enjoys tennis, and wants the challenge of playing against the top players. He probably thinks he can still get better as his health improves (whether that's realistic or not, who knows).

Actually I think this is to be admired.

that's fine.


I guess though that I absolutely cringe at the thought of Nadal, Federer, Djoker doing this.... I know everyone can't walk away like Sampras... in fact 99.999/100 can't walk away like that.

But Roddick is a better player than Hewitt is right now and I absolutely respect him for getting out.

There's something about a former #1 and slam champion just hanging around like this that seems somewhat uncomfortable.


If for any reason Nadal, Federer, or Djoker were to pull a Hewitt type stunt and play until nearly 40 whilst losing a ton along the way, i'd lose respect for any of them.... including my favorite player ever in Roger..... don't subject us to more than 1 Rosol moment please?

[Mustard]

Like Jimmy Connors, Lleyton Hewitt loves the challenges of playing tennis matches, and will carry on for as long as he feels physically able. Andy Roddick walked away because he was not amongst the top players on a consistent basis anymore, and Roddick didn't want to carry on touring once his top 10 days were clearly over. That's a different mindset to Hewitt.

[Mustard]

Originally Posted by zam88

that's fine.


I guess though that I absolutely cringe at the thought of Nadal, Federer, Djoker doing this.... I know everyone can't walk away like Sampras... in fact 99.999/100 can't walk away like that.

But Roddick is a better player than Hewitt is right now and I absolutely respect him for getting out.

There's something about a former #1 and slam champion just hanging around like this that seems somewhat uncomfortable.


If for any reason Nadal, Federer, or Djoker were to pull a Hewitt type stunt and play until nearly 40 whilst losing a ton along the way, i'd lose respect for any of them.... including my favorite player ever in Roger..... don't subject us to more than 1 Rosol moment please?

They should play for as long as they have the desire and are physically able. You're a long time retired, so why rush retirement? The time to retire is either when you're physically wrecked or if you start resenting the travel/early mornings/practice/playing matches etc. instead of relishing it.

[tacou]

Originally Posted by zam88

then play on the seniors circuit or something.

How can it be fun to train hard enough to get into these grand slam tournaments to maybe win... one match? maybe zero matches?


If he's really having fun out there getting pwned, then far be it from me to question it... but it seems miserable to me. Seems like if i were him i would've capitalized on my fame and became a tennis announcer for Aussie TV

you do realize he lost to a guy whose seeded to make the quarterfinals? If he had been lucky enough to draw Juan Monaco I think he'd have gone a bit further.

[Amelie Mauresmo]

I feel the same way about Venus Williams as I do Hewitt their time has PASSED. Hewitt is no longer a slam contender the man does NOT need the money why subject himself to this humilation of losing to younger players? I don't get it.

All of Hewitt's rivals expect Federer are GONE. Roddick, Ferrero, Safin, they retired they knew the writing was on the wall if they aren't winning no point in playing.

Venus Williams same thing, she's going to be knocked out by Sharapova if they meet in the third round. Why do it? Venus and Hewitt are multi millionaires they don't need the money. They are tarnishing their legacy.

[OrangePower]

Originally Posted by zam88

that's fine.


I guess though that I absolutely cringe at the thought of Nadal, Federer, Djoker doing this.... I know everyone can't walk away like Sampras... in fact 99.999/100 can't walk away like that.

But Roddick is a better player than Hewitt is right now and I absolutely respect him for getting out.

There's something about a former #1 and slam champion just hanging around like this that seems somewhat uncomfortable.


If for any reason Nadal, Federer, or Djoker were to pull a Hewitt type stunt and play until nearly 40 whilst losing a ton along the way, i'd lose respect for any of them.... including my favorite player ever in Roger..... don't subject us to more than 1 Rosol moment please?

I absolutely respect both Roddick and Hewitt.

Roddick was motivated by being top 10, and when that became no longer realistic, he decided to retire rather than continue without a chance of maintaining his goals.

Hewitt is in a very different position; unlike Roddick he was out of the picture for a long time due to injury, and as a result I think his motivation is just to play better, enjoy playing healthy, and maybe try have one more deep run in a major. Maybe the odds are slim, but it's something he can still conceivably achieve.

In both cases their decisions are based on their own personal motivations, and not based on how others are going to perceive them or their 'legacies'.

If for example Fed continued to play till age 40 while dropping to #50 or whatever, I would maybe cringe as a fan seeing his decline in playing ability and watching him get beat by mediocre players, but I'd respect that he is playing out of a love for the game and the competition.

[veroniquem]

He got unlucky with the draw. He could probably have won a few rounds at AO if he hadn't drawn a top 10 (20) player right away.

[Prisoner of Birth]

Originally Posted by ark_28

Was thinking about this myself, it is a tough one isnt it?? I mean I guess many will say that if he is still enjoying it then keep going, at least one thing you can say is that being an individual he is not letting anyone down as such, (In cricket the legendary Sachin Tendulkar has been woeful for India for 2 years after a 20 year career they will not drop him and now people are starting to lose respect as the great man is becoming a liability) Hewitt does not have to worry about that!

But it also depends on how Hewitt wants to be seen himself! I like you find it very hard to see how a former world number 1 and 2 time grand slam champion can be happy playong out a few years on tour like a journeyman it does not make much sense to me either!

Tendulkar has been far from woeful. He's still the highest ranked Test Batsmen from India. And in ODIs, he has as good a record as anybody other than Dhoni and Kohli. People in India love him more than ever and I can vouch for that. It's media-rubbish that he's losing his "respect" just so they can sell their "news".

[tacou]

Originally Posted by Amelie Mauresmo

I feel the same way about Venus Williams as I do Hewitt their time has PASSED. Hewitt is no longer a slam contender the man does NOT need the money why subject himself to this humilation of losing to younger players? I don't get it.

All of Hewitt's rivals expect Federer are GONE. Roddick, Ferrero, Safin, they retired they knew the writing was on the wall if they aren't winning no point in playing.

Venus Williams same thing, she's going to be knocked out by Sharapova if they meet in the third round. Why do it? Venus and Hewitt are multi millionaires they don't need the money. They are tarnishing their legacy.

Hewitt hasn't been a slam contender since the 05 AO. But h's had deep runs, classic wins and great upsets. As we all say (including top ranked players like Tsonga and Berdych) there are only 4 guys competing for slams. Everyone else should retire?

I especially feel differently than the bolded parts. If you aren't winning majors anymore you should simply give it up? They've been playing since age 3-4, it's a huge decision to give it up. And these are adults we're talking about and their careers. Unlike a lawyer or doctor or whatever, you can't just keep going. Once you hang up the racket you are no longer a pro player and you never will be again.

For Venus specifically, why would she not want to face Maria Sharapova in the third round of the Australian Open...beautiful stadium, beautiful country, amazing fans and a world stage. You really can't conceive of why she'd want to compete even if she is no longer the favorite to win?

[zam88]

Originally Posted by Amelie Mauresmo

I feel the same way about Venus Williams as I do Hewitt their time has PASSED. Hewitt is no longer a slam contender the man does NOT need the money why subject himself to this humilation of losing to younger players? I don't get it.

All of Hewitt's rivals expect Federer are GONE. Roddick, Ferrero, Safin, they retired they knew the writing was on the wall if they aren't winning no point in playing.

Venus Williams same thing, she's going to be knocked out by Sharapova if they meet in the third round. Why do it? Venus and Hewitt are multi millionaires they don't need the money. They are tarnishing their legacy.

Agree, Venus should be a doubles specialist with her sis and move on.


Having said that, when you walk on the court and blow another one of the top 150 players in the world off the court like Venus did last night, it's probably just enough to keep you going especially when you are probably hanging out with your sister the whole 2 weeks to root for her anyway.

[joeri888]

You guys are all about pride, legacy, and goatness. The guy just loves to play and loves to compete. Retirement is forever. As long as he enjoys he should absolutely play. Why not. Why you guys think someone makes a fool of himself by playing a grandslam tennis tournament is beyond me.

Hope Lleyton shuts some people up at Wimbledon.

[Prisoner of Birth]

Some people just like playing. They don't need money, they don't need trophies to validate their existence on the tour, they just want to play because they love the game and love to compete. Why can't we just let them play and watch them while we still can?

[tennis_pro]

Originally Posted by Mustard

Like Jimmy Connors, Lleyton Hewitt loves the challenges of playing tennis matches, and will carry on for as long as he feels physically able. Andy Roddick walked away because he was not amongst the top players on a consistent basis anymore, and Roddick didn't want to carry on touring once his top 10 days were clearly over. That's a different mindset to Hewitt.

The difference between Connors and Hewitt is that Connors was in the top 5/top10 until the late 80's when he was 37. He even made another major SF at 39.

Hewitt hasn't done anything comparable to late Connors since like 2006 (when he was 25)? Connors was competitive until pretty much the end of his career.

It's been fun having Lleyton being the ultimate underdog at the AO (since I don't remember him playing a lot during the year bar an odd WC) for a couple of years now but it's getting riddiculous.

[joeri888]

Originally Posted by tennis_pro

The difference between Connors and Hewitt is that Connors was in the top 5/top10 until the late 80's when he was 37. He even made another major SF at 39.

Hewitt hasn't done anything comparable to late Connors since like 2006 (when he was 25)? Connors was competitive until pretty much the end of his career.

It's been fun having Lleyton being the ultimate underdog at the AO (since I don't remember him playing a lot during the year bar an odd WC) for a couple of years now but it's getting riddiculous.

Connors did not have massive surgery like all the time. Why do you even judge the guy? What's so ridiculous. Why is he more ridiculous than Somdev Devvarman or Simone Bolelli?

Also, Hewitt came within a few points of beating Andy Roddick in the Wimbledon 2009 QF. Setting up a semi, with a favoured but pretty beatable Andy Murray. He would go on to beat Federer on grass a year later.

[LeeD]

Of course he needs the money.
He has to feed his family.
Local hero LatrellSpreewell needed all of the 11 million per, 8 year package, to feed his family.

[tennis_pro]

Originally Posted by joeri888

Connors did not have massive surgery like all the time. Why do you even judge the guy? What's so ridiculous. Why is he more ridiculous than Somdev Devvarman or Simone Bolelli?

Because he's leagues above them. I can understand the fighting spirit but doesn't he have any pride? There's only a certain amount of beatings he can get at the AO before it starts to look riddiculous.

Originally Posted by joeri888

Also, Hewitt came within a few points of beating Andy Roddick in the Wimbledon 2009 QF. Setting up a semi, with a favoured but pretty beatable Andy Murray. He would go on to beat Federer on grass a year later.

That was more than 3 years ago, he was 28 at the time and still in the top 30. Besides, I didn't critisize him, then. Heck, even a year ago he made a great effort getting to the 4th round and even took a set off of Djokovic.

Obviously, he'll do what he wants but I, personally, don't feel comfortable seeing such a fantastic player from a few years back getting straight setted in his home major by a former journeyman. Repeatedly.

[BrooklynNY]

I wouldn't be so sure Venus is going to get cleaned up by Sharapova.

It's going to be a shotmaking contest, and a 2nd serve contest - one that Venus can win depending on how shes moving and hitting the forehand.

It's not going to be here are 100 bad shots, show me how to hit a forehand match like Shaza vs some no name top 60 player.