DPA/Melbourne
Lleyton Hewitt finally revealed the scenario for the end of his career yesterday as Patrick Rafter stepped down as Australian Davis Cup coach for the tennis-mad nation.
Hewitt, who turns 34 in a month, will play through to the end of the Open next year, marking his 20th appearance at his home grand slam since qualifying as a 15-year-old in 1997.
He will then be in pole position to take over one of his true tennis loves, the Davis Cup team.
Meanwhile, Aussie stalwart Wally Masur will serve as interim coach while Rafter moves on as performance director for Tennis Australia. Masur has Davis experience after working as assistant coach to John Fitzgerald in the last decade.
Australia won its last Davis trophy in 2003 with a defeat of Spain.
“I’m officially stepping down from Davis Cup captaincy,” said Rafter, one of the nation’s most popular players, at the Australian Open. “Wally Masur will take over as interim Davis Cup captain. Lleyton will then fill the spot when the time is right and ready.”
Hewitt said that playing a last Open and then moving on to the Davis job is important for him.
“Davis Cup is something we’ve worked extremely hard to put ourselves in a position in the World Group where we have a genuine shot. I believe with the guys now we have a lot more options, a lot more depth.
“I can still put my hand up as a player and help the boys get over the line. Whether that’s singles, doubles, whatever is needed. Right at the moment that’s the main focus for us.
“Personally I’ll be looking towards the grass court season and most likely finishing here in Melbourne, which for me would obviously be special to play 20 Australian Opens.”
Rafter hinted that the Davis captaincy might have been more of a challenge than he would have imagined from his days as a player and double grand slam winner.
“The first few years were certainly a learning curve, trying to get a relationship with the guys. Stepping back into the game was interesting. It’s had its ups and downs just with the different players and me trying to stamp some sort of authority, which sort of backlashed on me a little bit.
“I always expected the guys to work hard, train hard, and then we can play hard after, as well, and enjoy it, because Davis Cup should be enjoyed. You also play in a team environment.
“I felt all the guys put in pretty well. I formed some really good relationships and friendships with the guys. I got to know them very well, on a level some good and some bad. At the end of it, I can sit down and have a beer with the guys in 10 years’ time.”
