HEWITT DECISION AT THE END OF THE WEEK

A frustrated Lleyton Hewitt won’t know for a few more days whether or not a hip injury will force him out of the French Open and possibly even Wimbledon.

A worst case scenario on Australia’s top player’s hip injury would be that it kept him out of the entire grass court season.

Hewitt has been consulting daily with the doctor for the Optus Australian Davis Cup team, Dr David Brooks, and also saw a specialist at North Shore Private Hospital today for some more tests.

The former world number one is hopeful of a return to the tour sooner rather than later.

“The hip is starting to feel a little better but I’m yet to fully test it out on court,” Hewitt said this afternoon.

“The specialist did a couple more tests today but the results won’t be back for a few days. Once I get those I can make a decision on the French Open and the grass court season.”

After a strong showing during the 2007 clay court season and last year’s French Open, Hewitt was very much looking forward to returning to the European clay. Instead, the hip injury has sidelined him for the last month.

“He is doing everything in his power to compete in both Grand Slam tournaments,” Hewitt’s manager David Drysdale said.

“Grand Slams are well and truly the highlight of a tennis player’s year, particularly an athlete as competitive as Lleyton. He hasn’t given up on them, but is just frustrated that he can’t be already out there competing and preparing,” he explained.

Once he gets the results of the latest medical tests at the end of the week, Hewitt is expected to make a decision on a date for his return to the tour.