THE BOY WHO REMAINS KING

Hewitt cements his No. 1 status

By Matthew Cronin
tennisreporters.net

Susan Mullane Camerawork USA, Inc.

It's truly amazing at what a rapid rate men's tennis has progressed over the last few years, going from a sport that was dominated by Pete Sampras' classic serve-and-volley attack to one that is now circling around Lleyton Hewitt's all-round, counterpunching game.

The Aussie had a tremendous week in Shanghai in cementing his No. 1 status, clawing his way through his flight, downing the streaky Roger Federer in an excellent three-setter and then pulling himself off the canvas in besting Juan Carlos Ferrero 7-5, 7-5, 2-6, 2-6, 6-4 in the final.

Considering that he already had No. 1 locked up, Hewitt could have give in down 1-3 in the fifth set, but as he has down so many times during the past two years, he sucked it up and knocked out and opponent when it really counted.

Hewitt defended the Masters Cup title he won last year in Sydney and became just the seventh player in ATP history to finish the year No. 1 in consecutive seasons. He's also the first guy since Pete Sampras in 1996-97 to accomplish the feat.

"It's fantastic," said Hewitt. "It's been another very special week in my –
not only tennis career – but in my life in general. My goal was coming here
to get this one to my left (ATP Champions Race trophy) and once that passed, then obviously I tried to put everything into, regaining focus and desire and motivation to come out and win the Masters Cup and defend it again. It's not the easiest thing to do when you're playing against the other seven best players in the world."

Given that he hadn't won a title since Wimbledon and was bothered by an omnipresent virus during the fall, Hewitt's title is even more remarkable. But unlike when he first came on tour and was killing himself trying to win every match, Hewitt has learned how to pace himself and get up for the matches and tournaments that really count. That's why be beat Albert Costa and Marat Safin in three sets in the round-robin group, Federer in three and Ferrero in five sets.

CALL HIM THE GRINDER
"Every match this week was a grind; I didn't have one easy match," Hewitt said. "Safin, Federer and Ferrero … doesn't get much tougher than those three matches. I don't know how I held up at all, considering the way that I have been feeling the last few weeks. I can put my feet up and go on holidays. It'll be great. Can't wait."

Hewitt's fifth victory of the season tied Andre Agassi forthe most titles won in 2002. The snarling Adelaide native has won 11 titles in the past two years and finished 218 points ahead of Agassi in the champions race – a significant distance. Hewitt posted an impressive 61-15 match record in 2002 and was in the mix in every Slam that he was healthy at.

He may not be the brainiest player out there, but few 21-year-olds understand the nuances of the game of the game better than he does. Hewitt is one of the fastest players out there, can hit winners off both wings from the baseline, has the fastest hands in the business and can serve and volley more than a touch.

His two-year reign of the ATP's King of Tennis shows that David and his accurate slingshot have more than a fighting chance against the Goliath's of the sport. All it takes is a lot of sweat equity.

"Ever since growing up in juniors, I had to play a way to beat them," Hewitt told Reuters. "One of these ways was being mentally tough out on the court. The never-say-die attitude. Sometimes I got my butt kicked and I didn't really enjoy that and sometimes worked out how to beat them. "It's hard to believe that so much has happened at such a young age. It's very surprising to me. It's not that long ago that I was going with my parents to the Australian Open with my sister and watching. I remember getting there before all the matches and watching Ivan Lendl grind it out with Rochey [Tony Roche] on the practice courts out the back. For me to actually not only be part of the Australian Open and part of the tour now to actually be at the pinnacle of it, like a guy like Lendl was and that who I sort of looked up to and just tried to work out everything that they did, it definitely is surprising sometimes."

THE BIG QUESTION: YOUR LUXURY SPORTS CAR OR MINE?

Susan Mullane Camerawork USA, Inc.

As a bonus for the ATP, Hewitt's win ensured that the year-end No. 1 won the Tennis Masters Cup for the third consecutive year. Hewitt took home a check for $1.4 million and a Mercedes-Benz CLK320. Combine that with his girlfriend Kim Clijsters' $765,000 and new Porshe for winning the season-ending WTA Tour Championships the week before, and you have a couple which is more than fixed for a luxurious getaway during the off-season.