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Tennis > History against Lleyton Hewitt
By Darren Walton
June 20, 2010

As if his horror Wimbledon draw wasn't challenging enough, now Lleyton Hewitt must rewrite tennis history to land tennis's greatest prize for a second time.

Hewitt launches his campaign on Monday against Maximo Gonzalez, with the spotlight firmly back on the former world No.1 following his eye-catching victory over six-time champion Roger Federer in last weekend's grasscourt final in Halle.

Hewitt is all the rage in Britain, with many tipping the 29-year-old to seriously challenge Federer and world No.1 Rafael Nadal for the title.

But it's been eight years now since the South Australian collected the second of his two grand slam crowns at the All England Club.

And when it comes to winning one of tennis's four majors, no player in more than four decades of the professional era has ever waited longer between drinks.

In fact, no-one has even come close.

The late and great Arthur Ashe remains the most celebrated drought-breaker, having reigned at Wimbledon in 1975, some five-and-a-half years after hoisting the 1970 Australian Open trophy.

So however confident he may be, the odds are stacked against the plucky baseliner repeating his 2002 heroics - especially when he will probably need to take down big dogs Novak Djokovic, Andy Roddick, Federer and Nadal in consecutive matches.

Hewitt, though, has never been one to shy away from a challenge and says he wouldn't have undergone two rounds of career-saving hip surgery - in 2008 and again after this year's Australian Open in January - if he didn't earnestly believe he had another major in him.

"I'd love to win another one. That's why I'm still playing the game," the sport's youngest year-end No.1 said.

"That's what motivates me and makes me wake up early and go to the gym and do all the hard yards and go to the practice court and stay professional in what I'm doing.

"I feel comfortable playing here and there's probably only a handful of guys who can realistically win here."

Hewitt grows an extra leg whenever he makes the nostalgic walk through the gates of the All England Club.

"It's an amazing feeling," he said.

"Even when there's no people and no hoo-hah around, it brings back great memories," the 15th seed said.

"I think for any Australian kid that wants to be a tennis player, your dream is to compete at Wimbledon at least once in your career.

"It's such a special place for any Australian to walk through and to be in the main draw of this tournament.

"It's even more special walking through the members' area and seeing the trophy there and knowing that your name is engraved on that trophy ... yeah, it's the greatest tournament there is."

Hewitt is one of six Australians in action on day one of the championships.

At 17, first-time qualifier Bernard Tomic is the youngest player in the men's draw and takes on Queen's Club runner-up Mardy Fish.

Carsten Ball is up against Lithuanian Ricardas Berankis, while Peter Luczak meets Spaniard Tommy Robredo.

In the women's event, Alicia Molik - returning to Wimbledon for the first time since 2007 - plays little-known Slovakian Zuzana Kukova and Jarmila Groth faces Czech Renata Voracova.

Samantha Stosur, Casey Dellacqua and Anastasia Rodionova all play on Tuesday.

Australians in action on day one of Wimbledon on Monday (prefix denotes seeding):
Men's singles, first round
15-Lleyton Hewitt v Maximo Gonzalez (Arg)
Peter Luczak v 30- Tommy Robredo (Esp)
Bernard Tomic v Mardy Fish (USA)
Carsten Ball v Ricardas Berankis (Ltu)
Women's singles, first round
Alicia Molik v Zuzana Kukova (Svk)
Jarmila Groth v Renata Voracova (Cze)
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