By Scoop Malinowski
I first suggested this rumor to you months ago after reading a cryptic Instagram comment from Aussie player Matt Reid who seemingly joked on one of Lleyton Hewitt’s posts that the officially retired Davis Cup captain might play the 2018 Australian Open.
It struck me enough to mention it here a couple of times and also in an e-mail to my editor of an Australian Tennis Magazine, who expressed that the possibility was highly unlikely.
But less than an hour ago published reports say Hewitt will indeed play the next Australian Open in doubles with Sam Groth.
Hewitt, 36, retired at the Australian Open in 2016 but has played two matches since, at Wimbledon in doubles and in Davis Cup doubles.
It was clear this year in Davis Cup action that Hewitt is still as competitive as ever, judging by his fierce intensity on the side bench while captaining the Australian Davis Cup team which reached the semifinal round. Hewitt, with his animated fist pumps and shouts of Come on as a captain, clearly still yearns for the battle like his old friend and rival Roger Federer who still competes at a, ahem, very high level.
It will be interesting to learn Andy Roddick’s reaction to this. Roddick was rejected by the USTA in 2014 when he requested a doubles wildcard with Mardy Fish a month before the tournament.
Hewitt and Groth partnering at the next Aussie Open…let’s get ready to see Hewitt rumble.
Fiero425 · December 14, 2017 at 12:19 pm
Well at least he's not taking a spot in the main single's draw! The crowd will be quite appreciative I'm sure! 😉
Scoop Malinowski · December 14, 2017 at 12:56 pm
Scoop Malinowski writes:
Hewitt can probably still win rounds in singles but he could also go down in flames quickly if he gets the wrong draw. In doubles, if they can get a roll going, Hewitt and Groth could do serious damage. Hewitt has shown even post retirement in his two matches that he can still get the job done, Groth is the weak link who needs to step up.
Front242 · December 14, 2017 at 1:38 pm
Look forward to lots of "sorry mate" from Groth and "faaaaaaccck" from Hewitt.
Scoop Malinowski · December 14, 2017 at 1:43 pm
Scoop Malinowski writes:
Well we have to wait and see. Hewitt does seem to have an inordinate amount of faith in Groth. He continues to tap Groth's shoulder to play doubles. They have had some good wins. But you can see and feel the pressure on Groth during the matches to live up to Hewitt's great expectations. It's agony and ecstasy for Groth but he keeps on trying. One of these times he just may rise up, shake the shackles and be the best player on the court.
Andrew Miller · December 14, 2017 at 9:03 pm
Andy Roddick, ya left the sport buddy! Maybe find a coaching charge and come back 🙂
Hewitt is one of the few Aussies in recent memory along with Sam Stosur that have made Australia proud. I hold out for Kyrgios & co, including juniors. That said, in the here and now, Australia has no slam champ on the near horizon.
It’s simple and impossible – to be a slam champ a player needs to seize a slam. That’s how Cilic did it. That’s how Del Potro did it. That’s how Wawrinka did it.
Otherwise the big four own all slams and enjoy complete and utter access to slam title land. It’s not unfair, it just is.
scoopmalinowski · December 14, 2017 at 10:23 pm
Hewitt should still lead by example and show the young Aussies how it’s done. The young Aussies have flopped so far. Kyrgios included though he has shown great promise. General Hewitt is still in charge and looking to pass the torch. But no one has taken the torch yet. Nick keeps fumbling it.