Defiant Hewitt Insists Davis Cup Is No Longer Top Priority

The Age

Friday February 17, 2006

By KAREN LYON With AAP

LLEYTON Hewitt yesterday accused Tennis Australia of not doing enough for its players and said he may not play in the Davis Cup tie against Belarus in April.

Hewitt, who has missed only two Davis Cup ties since 1999, said playing for Australia was no longer his top priority.

"This year, the majors are the most important things to me," said Hewitt, who won his first-round match against American Paul Goldstein at the SAP Open in San Jose on Wednesday.

"I'll play the (Davis Cup) ties on their merits and on how my body is, and to where they fit into my schedule," he said. "I'll approach each tie differently."

Hewitt, who missed Australia's Davis Cup win over Switzerland last weekend citing an ankle injury, said he was still unhappy Tennis Australia had not made the courts at the Australian Open faster.

"It doesn't suit Australian tennis players," Hewitt said. "In the United States, their officials speak to (Pete) Sampras and (Andre) Agassi about the courts and balls.

"It's disappointing to have no impact at all. They always say it's going to be done and nothing happens."

Hewitt said Australian players weren't getting the support they desired from Tennis Australia. "I'd love all the Australian players to get backing," he said.

"I don't think they are doing a great job for tennis in Australia at the moment."

Meanwhile, Mark Philippoussis again will return to the game's second tier of tournaments, the Challenger circuit, in his continuing quest for form and fitness.

Philippoussis yesterday beat Spanish world No. 14 Tommy Robredo 3-6, 7-5, 7-5 in the opening round in San Jose.

But in April, the 29-year-old will head to the Bermuda Open, a Challenger tournament worth $100,000. "I've never been to Bermuda but have always heard great things about the island and the tournament," Philippoussis said. "(It) has become a favourite stop on the tour for a lot of the guys leading into the claycourt season."

Despite a series of first-round losses over the past two years and now ranked No. 161 the world, Philippoussis is confident he can return to the winners' list.

"It's tough, a lot of people think I am an underdog, but I know what I am capable of in my own mind," Philippoussis said. -- With AAP

© 2006 The Age

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