Hewitt opts out of Olympics

Former world number one Lleyton Hewitt has decided not to represent Australia at next year’s Olympic Games as the event takes place too soon before the US Open.

The tennis tournament in Athens is staged between August 15-22, finishing exactly a week before the final grand slam of the season at Flushing Meadows, New York.

Hewitt was part of the Aussie Olympic team at Sydney in 2000 but failed to win a medal.

“The big thing is when we had the Sydney Olympics in 2000, it was after all the four majors had been played,” Hewitt told the Herald Sun in Melbourne.

“Athens is being held right before the US Open and it’s got the same feeling as the Atlanta Olympics (in 1996) when a lot guys were missing because it was just so close before the US Open.

“I’ve sat down with (coach) Roger (Rasheed) and we’ve come up with a schedule designed for me to do well at the grand slams and Davis Cup.

“They’re my priorities next year. I would like to win at least one major and help Australia successfully defend the Davis Cup.”