25/08/2010 08:35 CEST - australian tennis
Hewitt parts way with coach
Australian No.1 Lleyton Hewitt has parted from coach Nathan Healy just days prior to the US Open commencing in New York on Monday. Vanessa Skendaris
It is understood that Healy decided to split with the two-time Grand Slam champion because he wanted to spend more time with his young family.
“He’s decided to spend more time with his family and therefore is not able to travel,” said Hewitt’s manager David Drysdale. “Nathan has a young daughter, who’s just turned two, and Lleyton being a husband, father and family man understood that.”
His decision to quit was made two weeks ago after Hewitt bowed out in the second round of the Legg Mason Tennis Classic in Washington.
The news was only confirmed on Monday by Drysdale who flew to New York to discuss the 28-year-old South Australian’s coaching situation.
Drysdale said Hewitt’s long-time friend and former player Brett Smith also arrived in the Big Apple to manage transport, organise practise courts and arrange other off-court concerns.
“He’s doing those kinds of things Nathan would have done and then we’ll take a look at it all over the next few months,” Drysdale said. “I’m advising Lleyton not to rush into anything just yet.”
Hewitt is unlikely to appoint a new coach until next year and will coach himself for the remainder of the season.
The Hewitt/Healy partnership lasted 12 months. The News South Welshman took over from former great Tony Roche in August 2009.
Hewitt, the 2001 US Open winner, is currently ranked No.34 in the world and seeded No.32 for next week’s final major of the year.
Vanessa Skendaris
"The majority of the matches I win aren't pretty. But I've made a career out of that."
Andy Roddick on his 1st round victory over finnish Nieminen.
June the 28th, 1977
Eighteen-year-old John McEnroe becomes the first qualifier to reach the semifinals at Wimbledon when he defeats the Australian Phil Dent in the quartefinals. .
From "On this day in Tennis History" by Randy Walker
