Despite admitting his season is over, Lleyton Hewitt insists he will bounce back from his impending hip surgery and once again fly the Australian flag on the professional tennis circuit.
Hewitt, who yesterday dropped to his lowest ranking in nine years (55), will go under the knife in a desperate bid to save his floundering career after formally withdrawing from the US Open and Australia's upcoming Davis Cup tie.
His troublesome hip has seen him play in just four tournaments since April, and Hewitt admits surgery was his only option.
"Surgery was always the last resort, but unfortunately that's what it came down to," Hewitt told News Limited.
"I am also shattered that I can't lead the Australian Davis Cup team in Chile in our bid to rejoin the World Group, and hope that the boys can still come through with a great win."
But 27-year-old Hewitt insists he isn't over the hill.
"I am looking forward to playing again in January in my home country, and using that as a springboard to compete at my best again on the world stage for at least a couple of more years.
"It's about getting my body right,'' he said.
"If I play a full calendar, then I know where I can be in the world and that's all that really matters. Obviously the guys I've lost to since I started at the French Open have been the top four players in the world.
"So I probably haven't had the kindest draws. But that's what happens when you're not seeded as well."
