Lleyton Hewitt takes simply as a lot pleasure from guiding Australia to the Davis Cup last within the function of calming group captain as he did a era in the past when he led them to glory as a taking part in warrior.
Yet only one factor saddens him about his aspect’s massive day in Malaga in Sunday’s (Monday AEDT) showdown – that his gamers will not get to expertise the identical exultation he did when taking part in within the World Cup last of males’s tennis on dwelling soil.
Hewitt has by no means hidden his annoyance about the way in which the normal Davis Cup format has been tampered with so dramatically over the previous decade, having bitterly criticised the top of five-set battles and home-and-away ties as ‘impartial’ finals venues have taken over.
So his reminiscence of the 2003 last – the final time the Australians reached the ultimate and defeated Spain on dwelling soil in Melbourne amid rocking scenes – stays one of the crucial particular of his tennis life.
“I know how much it meant for me as a player to get the opportunity to play in finals. So I’m thrilled that these boys get that opportunity on Sunday,” mentioned Hewitt.
“But I’d love it to be in Australia, though. I’m disappointed the boys don’t get to play in front of 15,000 at Rod Laver Arena.
“I can not be prouder of those guys. I do know it is a bloody lengthy yr. There’s been modifications and tweaks to this competitors that we have now needed to alter to the final three years.
“We’re back to these guys making massive sacrifices to be playing for their country. This is the third time this year.
“When it modified to this format, it was solely ever going to be twice a yr, so we have now added on one other week. It’s been a bloody lengthy yr for everybody, and we’re a good distance from dwelling, too.
“Don’t forget that. I don’t like the chances of this final series ever being played in Australia!”
Even Hewitt, although, has recognised an gratifying environment with partisan, good-sized crowds on the end-of-season competitors in Malaga, even after the hosts Spain received knocked out.
It hasn’t transformed him – however at the least, he is blissful the outdated Davis Cup environment has been resurrected to a level.
The captain has minimize a passionate however nonetheless largely steadfast determine on the sidelines, whereas admitting to having “kittens” throughout Australia’s two nerve-racking ties this week.
Asked about being a modified man from his feisty taking part in days, he smiled: “I try to be fired up on the side of the court when I need to be.
“That’s my persona as it’s, but additionally there are occasions to be calm and be a chilled determine on the market, and suppose your manner by sure conditions.
“It’s about knowing the players’ personalities on the court and what they respond best to.”
They’ve definitely been taking part in for Hewitt in addition to the gold and inexperienced, with Jordan Thompson admitting that having his one-time idol backing him together with the court docket felt wholly inspirational.
“When he’s on the sideline,” mentioned Thompson, “I couldn’t feel more comfortable.”
