News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

Rediff.com  » Sports » Former swim coach offers to help Hewitt

Former swim coach offers to help Hewitt

October 31, 2006 11:02 IST
Get Rediff News in your Inbox:
Australia's former head swimming coach Don Talbot has offered to help Lleyton Hewitt rediscover his aggression for tennis.

Talbot told the Daily Telegraph on Tuesday he had contacted Hewitt's camp offering advice on how the former world number one can return to the top.

Talbot believes Hewitt has curbed his aggression because of constant criticism of his on-court behavior but believes he should stick to his natural instincts.

"I rang his manager a couple of weeks ago and just said, 'I'm no expert on tennis, but I know how to win'," Talbot said.

"I am a huge fan of Lleyton, but he's changed his behaviour and on-court demeanour because people were critical of his on-court behaviour."

Hewitt needed to bring back a "mongrel element" to his game.

"Lleyton trying to be a good boy is just not him and if he continues along that line, he'll head into the wilderness."

Hewitt won the U.S. Open in 2001 then Wimbledon the following season to finish both years ranked number one in the world before his career started to go into decline.

He has not won a grand slam since although he has not been far away -- reaching the 2004 U.S. Open final as well the 2005 Australian Open -- and has slipped to 18th place in the world rankings.

Get Rediff News in your Inbox:
Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE 2024

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE 2024