The US Open will be missing a big-name stalwart of men’s tennis after former champion Lleyton Hewit was forced to pull out of the tournament through injury. Those looking to Bet on US Open tennis should take note.
The Australian recently underwent surgery on a long-standing foot injury, but it failed to cure the problem and the 30-year-old, who was victorious at Flushing Meadow in 2001, will be forced to sit out one of his favourite tournaments.
This extent of his troubles and resulting loss of form was seen in stark terms at last week’s Winston-Salem Open, when he was beaten in straight sets in the opening round by Slovenian Blaz Kavic when suffering pain.
The two-time Grand Slam Champion has always believed he could add another major title to his belt but he has not made the second round of any since Wimbledon in 2009 and is devastated to be pulling out of New York after being granted a wildcard.
“It was a gut-wrenching decision for Lleyton, particularly given it is the 10-year anniversary since he won the tournament,” Hewitt’s manager David Drysdale told the Herald Sun.
Hewit took New York by storm in 2001, beating legend Pete Sampras in the final and former world number one Yevgeny Kafelnikov in the semi-final in a year when he became the youngest ever world No 1 at just 20.
The following year he won Wimbledon and his career seemed to be on the crest of a wave but he failed to achieve another Grand Slam single win despite maintaining a strong competitive streak.
Many tennis commentators believe retirement could now be looming for the Australian who has been playing through pain for some time, but those who know him say he will not give up his career without a fight. Throughout his career he has always been popular when Betting on Tennis.
Now ranked World No.127, Hewit intends to return to Australia for treatment and still hopes to be fit enough to play in Australia’s Davis Cup tie against Switzerland on grass in Sydney next month.
