Hewitt continues to battle with ATP
Ossian Shine
Lleyton Hewitt fired another shot across the bows of the ATP on Monday when he reiterated his intent to revise his schedule for next year to suit him and not the organisers of men's tennis.
Hewitt said he would make his decision based on a number of reasons including health and fitness even if it means relinquishing the number one ranking.
"My priorities have changed," he said. "There is the health factor and also the chance to stay in the sport for a little longer.
"I will be trying to win the big tournaments, not trying to win smaller tournaments to get the number one ranking."
The Australian is still smarting from a $103,000 fine imposed on him earlier this year for refusing to do a compulsory television interview in Cincinnati.
That fine -- half his runners-up prize money -- for refusing to conduct an interview with host broadcasters ESPN before his first round match, has already been appealed and will more than likely be reduced, ATP chief Mark Miles has said, but still bad blood remains between Hewitt and his governing body.
"Yeah, there are people at the ATP who don't treat you the way they should," Hewitt said on Monday at the opening ceremony of the season-ending Tennis Masters Cup.
"I wouldn't say we were on the greatest of terms."
At the U.S. Open in September Hewitt vigorously stoked his row with the organisers of professional men's tennis by branding the ATP liars.
"I think a lot of people lied, I think that is a known fact," he said. "I've got no doubt that I'm going to win. There won't be a fine at all."
Later at the New York grand slam, Miles said that he expected the panel of former players that considers such appeals to reduce Hewitt's penalty, perhaps to as low as $10,000-$20,000.
"It wasn't a travesty and it wasn't particularly egregious. It's gotten overly complicated," Miles said.
"He was expected to do an interview that would have taken 10 or 15 minutes, probably, so the host broadcaster would have it in the can for their coverage of his match. It didn't get done. In my mind that's not a $100,000 problem.
"But from all I understand, it was clear to his advisers that he was expected to do it."
Hewitt's appeal was heard at the end of the U.S. Open but no decision has yet been reached.
The ATP has now adopted a policy of not commenting on the incident until after a decision has been made.
"We are not going to comment on Lleyton's schedule or the fine issue until it has been resolved," an ATP spokesman said. "We are going to let it take its course."
