Sydney - An anxious Lleyton Hewitt was Tuesday awaiting a ruling from doctors which could affect his storied tennis career, with a hip injury threatening to keep the Australian out of the French Open and Wimbledon. The former number one who now ranks 19th, is set for a rankings plunge out of the Top 40 if his medicos advise against yet risking the problem in competition.
Past hip injury victim Gustavo Kuerten is set to retire at Roland Garros after failing to beat a problem in the joint.
Were he forced to skip the summer, Hewitt would drop out of seeding range for the US Open starting in late August.
Hewitt should get word form his medicos this week after consulting daily with the Davis Cup doctor David Brooks. He also saw a Sydney specialist for some more tests.
But the dogged Hewitt remains optimistic about his return after last playing one Davis Cup match against Thailand more than a month ago and losing just one game.
"The hip is starting to feel a little better but I'm yet to fully test it out on court," Hewitt said Tuesday. "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."
Since an Australian Open fourth-round loss to Novak Djokovic, Hewitt has played in just four other ATP events, winning a match in Las Vegas as defending champion and reaching the Indian Wells fourth round.
"He is doing everything in his power to compete in both Grand Slam tournaments," said hismanager David Drysdale.
"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."
Were he to skip the French Open starting in less than a fortnight on May 25, Hewitt's first scheduled grass-court date is Queen's club, which he has won four times.
