Lleyton Hewitt to team up with Tony Roche
Former world number one and two-time grand slam champion, Lleyton Hewitt agreed to team up for the second time in his career with the legendary coach Tony Roche for the 2011 season. Hewitt previously worked with Roche between July
2007 and August 2009.
While Hewitt started the year ranked 19th in the world, but has dropped to number 55, due in part to a right hand injury sustained during Australia’s Davis Cup loss to Belgium in September, which ended his 2010 season.
Hewitt is still Australia’s number one player.
The agreement would see Hewitt continue to work with Josh Eagle, one of the coaches for Australia’s Davis Cup team, but Roche would take over responsibilities as Hewitt’s primary coach.
"I've been discussing this with Rochey for a few months now prior to him accepting the job as Australian Davis Cup coach," read a Hewitt statement. "When he asked me about taking that role with Pat, I thought that would work in well
with what we were planning for myself.”
While Hewitt currently sits outside the top 50, Roche believes he is still a revered played on tour, and implied that Hewitt shouldn’t be counted out for the 2011 season.
"He is constantly working on his game to improve, which is always a good sign that his focus and desire is still there," Roche said.
Hewitt appears to be excited for the 2011 season, which will be his 15th year on the tour, and is hopeful to build on the successes he saw prior to his wrist injury in 2010, where he won his 28th tour-level title
in June at Halle.
“I'm really looking forward to working with both guys and feel that if I can keep the body performing then I can climb back up the ranks again.” Hewitt said regarding the upcoming 2011 season.
With this new coaching agreement Hewitt looks to improve his ranking and results in 2011.
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