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Hewitt coach makes surprise exit | Hewitt coach makes surprise exit |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Former world number one Lleyton Hewitt faces a difficult start to his season after his coach Roger Rasheed quit. | Former world number one Lleyton Hewitt faces a difficult start to his season after his coach Roger Rasheed quit. |
"This is the hardest decision I've ever had to make, but one I felt I had no choice but to make," said Rasheed, who had coached Hewitt since June 2003. | "This is the hardest decision I've ever had to make, but one I felt I had no choice but to make," said Rasheed, who had coached Hewitt since June 2003. |
"Within the current environment, I don't believe it is possible for us to get the results we are looking for." | "Within the current environment, I don't believe it is possible for us to get the results we are looking for." |
Hewitt has also withdrawn from next week's Sydney International citing a calf problem. | |
The news of Rasheed's departure came a day after Hewitt lost in his home event in Adelaide and just a week before the Australian Open. | |
Hewitt, who finished 2006 ranked 20th in the world, was surprisingly beaten in Adelaide by world number 94 Igor Kunitsyn. | Hewitt, who finished 2006 ranked 20th in the world, was surprisingly beaten in Adelaide by world number 94 Igor Kunitsyn. |
"The timing is not ideal, but I feel that it is in both of our best interests that this decision not be delayed," added Rasheed, who said he would be happy to coach another player. | "The timing is not ideal, but I feel that it is in both of our best interests that this decision not be delayed," added Rasheed, who said he would be happy to coach another player. |
"I believe in Lleyton as a player and still believe he's capable of winning Grand Slams, but I feel the only way I can make a positive change to his environment - and mine - is to walk away from one of the great coaching jobs." | "I believe in Lleyton as a player and still believe he's capable of winning Grand Slams, but I feel the only way I can make a positive change to his environment - and mine - is to walk away from one of the great coaching jobs." |
606 DEBATE: Give your thoughts on this story | 606 DEBATE: Give your thoughts on this story |
Former Wimbledon and US Open champion Hewitt, 25, was runner-up to Marat Safin at the Australian Open in 2005. | Former Wimbledon and US Open champion Hewitt, 25, was runner-up to Marat Safin at the Australian Open in 2005. |
Rasheed was the third coach of Hewitt's professional career after Darren Cahill and Jason Stoltenberg. | Rasheed was the third coach of Hewitt's professional career after Darren Cahill and Jason Stoltenberg. |
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