Hewitt slams Australia tennis chief's re-election
Sydney: Former world number one Lleyton
Hewitt expressed frustration today after long-serving Tennis
Australia chief Geoff Pollard was re-elected despite calls for
his removal.
Hewitt, a two-time Grand Slam champion, insisted the
governing body needed a change of leadership to reverse
Australia's steady decline in the sport.
"For me, the only way forward right at the moment is
change and you have to start with change at the top," Hewitt
said.
"They have got to open their eyes now and have a good
look at themselves and see where the sport is going," he
added.
Hewitt had openly called for Pollard's ousting as head of
Tennis Australia, a position he has held since 1989. The
65-year-old beat rival Paul McNamee in a secret ballot of
state delegates on Monday to win another year in office.
"Hopefully by me coming out and voicing my opinion, at
least Tennis Australia is going to be put on notice and people
are actually going to be looking at the results that we have
over the next year," Hewitt said.
"We need someone who is strong ... to make the decisions
in the best interest of our sport and that starts with the
president of the federation," he added.
Hewitt, ranked 20, is one of only two Australians in top
100 alongside little-known Peter Luczak, currently at 83.
Bureau Report