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The ATP Site's In-Focus Report on
Lleyton.
Wednesday, 3rd November, 1999
Wizard of Oz
In focus: Lleyton Hewitt
If someone had told me at the beginning of the year that I would be No. 25 or 26
in the (ATP Tour) rankings now, I would have taken it," says 18-year-old Lleyton
Hewitt, the latest Australian tennis sensation and youngest player in the Paris Open draw
this year.
There's a lot of interest for Hewitt in Paris this week as Australia will meet France in
the Davis Cup final in Nice, from December 3-5. "I expect it to be very loud in Nice,
with everyone rooting for France of course," Hewitt said. "But I was in that
situation for my Davis Cup debut against the United States in Boston, and I beat Todd
Martin there. (Australian Davis Cup Captain) John Newcombe helped me a lot then."
"I expect it to be very loud in Nice"
The Australian has in fact won all his four singles matches in Davis Cup play this year,
including a straight set triumph over second-ranked Yevgeny Kafelnikov in the semifinals
in Brisbane.
The two meet again in Paris on Wednesday. "I look forward to playing Yevgeny
again," Hewitt said. "It's always nice to play a top player and Yevgeny is one
of the best players in the world. I hope I will have another good match against him."
Although he's not a big rugby fan ("rugby is not that big in South Australia"),
Hewitt has followed his country's progress in the rugby world cup. Australia will play
France in the final next Saturday. "I think they have a better chance of winning than
us the Davis Cup," he said. "But even without Pat (Rafter), I think that Mark
and I can get the job done in Nice."
In 1999 Hewitt won his second career ATP Tour title in Delray Beach and also reached the
finals in Adelaide, Scottsdale and Lyon.
END
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