Hewitt back on board with Roche

26 November 2010 - 15:25 By Sapa-dpa
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Lleyton Hewitt and coaching veteran Tony Roche will team up again for 2011 under a sharing arrangement with Tennis Australia as two-time Grand Slam champion Hewitt enters his 15th season on the ATP.

Roche has been re-appointed as Davis Cup coach under Patrick Rafter but now has a side deal with Hewitt under the Tennis Australia umbrella.

The pair, who have teamed privately in the past, will get their start at the Hopman Cup in Perth from January 1 at the mixed team event where Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic will also be in the lineup.

Hewitt, 29, is back in training after a hand injury layoff dating to September.

"I've been discussing this with Rochey for a few months now prior to him accepting the job as Australian Davis Cup coach," read a Hewitt statement. "When he asked me about taking that role with Pat, I thought that would work in well with what we were planning for myself.

"I will be working in conjunction with Tennis Australia, and have Rochey as my main coach and at other times through the year work with Josh Eagle, a Davis Cup squad coach. We will be really taking a team approach into next year, with Rochey being at the major events and Josh being an integral part at other times. "

Hewitt, who has undergone two hip surgeries, currently ranks 54th and still stands as the leading Australian. "I'm really looking forward to working with both guys and feel that if I can keep the body performing then I can climb back up the ranks again."

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