Hewitt promises aggressive stance - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Hewitt promises aggressive stance

By Tom Wald 04/01/2004 09:32:35 PM Comments (0)

A beefed-up Lleyton Hewitt pledged to maintain his campaign of sustained aggression after opening the year with a straight-sets demolition of unheralded Hungarian Attila Savolt at the Hopman Cup in Perth.

The fiery baseliner skidded from the top of the world rankings to No.17 last year after taking on a limited playing schedule and failing to win a grand slam for the first time since 2000.

Some critics suggested Hewitt, 22, could not handle bigger serving opponents such as Andy Roddick and Roger Federer and that his counter-punching style was being found out.

However, the South Australian's inspirational performances in the Davis Cup semi-final and final last year proved he was far from washed up as a world force.

Hewitt has added four kilograms in strengthening his upper body in recent months in a clear attempt to improve his power.

He said he wanted to dictate matches and was prepared for an increased number of unforced errors.

His comments came after dismissing world No.175 Savolt 6-2 6-2 in 54 minutes as he started his preparations for his greatest remaining goal - winning the Australian Open - which starts January 19 in Melbourne.

"Probably trying to be more aggressive, I think that has probably been the (aim over) last five or six months, not just the last couple," he said.

"But it is trying to consistently do that and you have to keep doing that in practice and sometimes it does not all pay off.

"But in a couple of my biggest matches in the Davis Cup it did pay off.

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