Lleyton Hewitt's manager has insisted the World number one will play in the Australian Open despite being struck down by chicken pox. The 20-year-old Australian was forced to retire from the Hopman Cup yesterday after testing positive for the virus, but manager John McCurdy says he will be fit and ready for the opening grand slam of the year.
"Obviously getting a positive test yesterday meant that he couldn't go on in the Hopman Cup, but his whole focus is the Open," said McCurdy. Medical experts have warned that training too soon could leave Hewitt open to chronic fatigue or further illness, and McCurdy says all necessary precautions will be taken. "They are not going to do anything silly, they will follow medical advice.
"He's got a bit of time before the Open. He had such a full year last year. He played late into the year, finished late, he had a hell of a lot of tough matches. He can draw on that and with some time off at this stage it won't hurt – maybe it's a blessing in disguise. The main thing is his health and the Open. I'm fully confident he will play the Open – it will be right by then."
Providing he recovers in time for the January 14-27 tournament, Hewitt will be aiming to become the first home player to win the Australian Open since Mark Edmonson in 1976.
Filed by Tom Grealis
