Hewitt to cut back

By: JOHN THIRSK

20dec00

LLEYTON Hewitt intends scaling back his Australian summer of tennis as he continues to battle a mystery virus which restricts his breathing. The Adelaide tyro could halve the number of events he took on this time last year. In January Hewitt contested six titles in four weeks in Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne. He won singles at the Australian Hardcourt titles in Adelaide and the adidas International singles in Sydney and also reached the doubles finals in both cities. He then went to Melbourne Park for the Australian Open where he reached the fourth round (singles) and third round (doubles). While the 19-year-old went through a series of tests last week for his breathing problems, coach Darren Cahill yesterday confirmed the world No7 would only play singles in two or possibly three tournaments next month. The feisty teenager, who returned home to Adelaide with his family, has gone to ground since returning from the Davis Cup final in Barcelona last weekend. An exhausting 2000 tournament schedule of 20 singles (4-1 in finals) and 13 doubles (2-2) on the ATP Tour, four Davis Cup ties (eight matches) plus two grand slam mixed doubles events has left him mentally and physically spent over the last two months with breathing difficulties. Hewitt is an energy-plus player, regarded as the fastest on-court mover in the game and one who doesn't know what the word "give up" means with his aggressive style and emotional outbursts. Since arriving back home in Adelaide from Barcelona, Hewitt has visited homeopaths, naturapaths, dietitians and blood specialists to diagnose the cause of his ailment. He is now putting his feet up for a couple of weeks as he awaits the results. "I haven't seen Lleyton since he arrived home from the Davis Cup last week. He was having tests done and is having a couple of weeks rest," coach Cahill said yesterday. "I know he would like to play in his home town and try and win the Australian Hardcourt for a third time in January (1-7), but there will not be any decision on that event until next week. "He will only be playing singles in Sydney and at the Australian Open and again in Adelaide, if he plays that event. "This year he got to the finals of all four events in Adelaide and Sydney, winning both singles. "This time I believe he should have a little less tournament play (no doubles) going into the Australian Open." Cahill explained that Hewitt had just come off a hectic final end to the season. "With the Tennis Masters Cup in Lisbon and then the Davis Cup final its been a late finish," he said.