Hewitt set to sit after surgery
Saturday 30 January 2010
By Darren Saligari
Australia’s Lleyton Hewitt has had surgery on his right hip in Hobart this week following his loss to world No.1 Roger Federer at Australian Open 2010.
Hewitt said he sustained the injury the day before his first match at the Hopman Cup while practicing, but refused to let it derail his Australian Open campaign after coming back from a similar injury to his left hip last year.
“I did one movement at the Hopman Cup in practice the day before my first match, and I felt something straight away. I knew it wasn't that good,” Hewitt told a packed press conference at Melbourne Park on Saturday afternoon.
“At that time, I wasn't 100 per cent sure whether I was going to be able to play any of the Australian summer. At least I gave 100 per cent and tried to block it out as much as possible.
was able to get through the summer.”
After having scans on the troublesome hip and discussing various options with his team, Hewitt elected to have surgery in an attempt to return in time for the French Open in May.
He will, however, miss Australia’s Asia-Oceania Zone Group I Davis Cup tie against Chinese Taipei at Melbourne Park in early March and some hardcourt tournaments in the US, including Indian Wells (which he has won twice) and Miami.
Hewitt said this injury is slightly different to the problem he experienced with his left hip that kept him out of the game from August 2008 to January 2009.
“I had a tear in my labrum, which is around my hip joint. So I pretty much had torn that off the bone. I had a few issues with my ligament, as well, in there.”
Despite yet another injury setback and his 29th birthday fast approaching, Hewitt says that retirement hasn’t crossed his mind.
“I thought maybe if I retire now and come back in 12 weeks, you know, Kim [Clijsters] and Justine [Henin] do that, then come back and win slams. Could have been an omen for me,” he said.
“I've worked too hard to come back. I feel like I'm hitting the ball as well as I've nearly ever hit it … the bloke I lost to the start of this week (Federer), he's as good as you get right at the moment.”
Hewitt said that after having gone through a similar experience with his left hip, he knows what’s in store this time round.
“It's kind of easier to know what to expect. Even when I come back, you might have some good days and some bad days.
“But you put up with that. At least I know the kind of pain that I'm going through at the moment. [In] a few weeks, it will go away.”
After completing his rehabilitation at a yet-to-be-decided location, Hewitt will set his sights on returning to the Grand Slams, where he thinks he is still a chance.
“For me the obvious goal, the next one will be Wimbledon. It's a place where I feel comfortable at. It's a place I played extremely well last year. was only one or two points away from making the semis there. I feel like if I can get back and play some matches before Wimbledon, I have an outside chance of doing well.
“I don't feel like I'm that far away, my ball striking, from doing some damage in the Grand Slams.”
It hurts like a mofo if I'm not careful, especially if I roll onto it while sleeping. Haven't started treatment on it yet, waiting for my health plan to approve my switch in doctors. All the research says 6 months to 2 years to get it back. What fun.
