Hewitt in Court Battle

[Ryan]

Lleyton Hewitt has joined the growing list of top men struggling for fitness ahead of next week's Australian Open.

The Australian admitted he was close to quitting before battling past Vince Spadea in the first round of the Sydney International on Monday.

"I've obviously got some kind of bug," he said after a 2-6 7-5 6-3 win. "I actually thought it was getting a bit dangerous out there to keep playing on.

"I was probably only a couple of points away from having to walk off court."

With Andre Agassi already out of the year's first Grand Slam, Rafael Nadal and Marat Safin expected to follow and Roger Federer on the way back from serious injury, Hewitt had looked to be the best prepared of the leading contenders.

But after Monday's match, Hewitt said the only time he had ever felt worse on the court was during the 2002 Hopman Cup, when he was diagnosed with chicken pox.

"That was probably a little worse but today was right up there," he said. "My energy levels were just right down.

"There were stages when I was tossing up whether it was really worth it with Melbourne next week.

"But hopefully it's at its worst today. That's what I'm hoping. If it keeps getting better then I can put up with it."

He added: "Right at the moment I feel that my health is more important for Melbourne than getting matches under my belt.

"I feel that if I'm 100% my game will come together nicely. You don't get a lot of confidence from going out there and playing a match like that today."

[astogirl24]

There have been quite a few times were he has played an average game and states that he wasn't feeling well.

He should just admit he had a rough game.

I can't wait until next week - Australian Open here I come!

[Frankie]

If Lleyton does not play..or heaven forbid is knocked out early...whatever are seven ging to do? They won't be able to have 20 million shots of Bec!

[Jay Preston]

Would they care though? Bec is the property of Woman's Day now, she serves no purpose to Ch 7 anymore. What they'd want to see is the baby.

[~Lynd~]

They can have fun trying.She also ''Belongs'' to Woman's Day,and they'll move heaven and earth to hide her,which is stupid imo,they don't need another million dollars,greedy things.

[Jay Preston]

Wow, did we post at the same time or something? Great minds must think alike, assuming you are also a great mind.

If Bec doesn't "belong" to Woman's Day, the baby certainly does. I wonder if Ch 7 will be forced to blur her out of any possible shots? I wouldn't be surprised.

[~Lynd~]

I can't figure out if you're making fun of me or not,about the mind thing,lol.

They won't have to blurr her face out becourse they hide the por baby under plastic under the stand or some rubbish like that.I'd be surprised if she ever see's sunlight.Someone said letting her out in the tennis with the noise levels would be child abuse,but every other baby who goes puts up with it.I think what they're doing is worse.Also that it was ''Nice'' they let her sleep?Give me a break,it's what baby's do.

Anyway,sorry rant over,they just seriously get on my nerves.

[lolajaney]

I thought this was 'court' as in prosicution court....

My brain hardly works at mo... Would be more exciting story if it was

Jane

[Karissa]

I agree with you, but they are not keeping the money for them selves, they are going to use it to be an orphanage in cambodia.They had started it but couldn't finish it because of lack of funds.

[claire_louise]

I thought they put the orphanage on hold because of Bec's pregnancy? Even if they do use the money for that, they're hardly going to do badly out of the whole thing are they? Mansion by the beach...it's such a hard life.