Right at Home
from The Advertiser
24 December 2004

LLEYTON Hewitt and likeable Swede Joachim Johansson have become a big hit at Memorial Drive, and unofficial ambassadors for the Next Generation Australian Hardcourt Championships.

And while Memorial Drive is virtually Hewitt's backyard, Johannson – the boyfriend of Hewitt's sister Jaslyn – has been making himself right at home.

He yesterday spent a tough two-hour session at The Drive, honing his game in preparation for the Australian summer circuit while Hewitt yesterday changed his training plans, missing a scheduled hit. The No. 1 and No. 2 seeds respectively for the January 3-9 tournament have been regulars on Memorial Drive's centre court and nearby Next Generation Rebound Ace practice courts this week.

Hewitt and his coach Roger Rasheed have often stopped to talk to youngsters in the stands to explain the method in their training.

Hewitt spent time with SA's underage squads passing on his experience with invaluable tips on how to make it to the top.

But it's lofty Johansson – the world No. 12 – who has become king of the kids at The Drive, regularly taking time out from his preparations to sign autographs and chat with dozens of youngsters. "Lleyton and Joachim have been terrific around here this week," Tennis SA chief executive Alistair MacDonald said.

"Lleyton talked to our underage squads for about 40 minutes the other day – you can't buy that kind of experience.

"All of them went out on to the courts pumped up and ready to go.

"Joachim's always happy to autograph things for us and he talks to the kids all the time. He even came back from next door to see some kids because they weren't here earlier."

Johansson yesterday trained with emerging South Aussies Andrew Derer and Shannon "Stinger" Nettle, of Cobdogla, in the Riverland.

The trio met at the Australian Open camp held at Melbourne Park last week, where Johansson was a guest of Tennis Australia, and their friendship has continued in Adelaide.