THEY are hovering around like the ghosts of Wimbledon's past and on current form they will be haunting the thoughts of more than a few players left in the men's competition. Both Andy Roddick and Lleyton Hewitt have the pedigree on the courts of SW19, and on current showings they definitely have the desire to re-install themselves in the latter stages of this tournament.
The Aussie was the champion in 2002 and it's a title that the American would dearly love. Twice he reached the final, twice he came up against Roger Federer and twice the dream lay in tatters. Since the last of those futile attempts, his form has s
tuttered and his fitness waned, while Hewitt was a shambling wreck, ambling about on a dodgy hip last term before being forced to seek surgery. But things have turned around since then. Roddick has a new coach and is looking as fit as ever, while Hewitt has a properly-functioning hip and his game is back to it's dogged, dynamic best.
Comparing Hewitt to a terrier with a bone would not be far-fetched. The Aussie counter-puncher doesn't give up. He sometimes loses but it's not for the want of trying. Which is why SW19 has come alive again in his presence. The gold and green barmy army have something to shout about again and they are mighty relieved. Not as relieved as he is after an enforced lay-off that frustrated as much as reinvigorated him.
But he knew it was necessary. For too long he had been fighting his injury sustained a year past March, the low groundstrokes and exhausting style of play finally taking their toll. A renowned scrapper, who scuttles along the baseline, snapping away, relishing the dogfight, last year the bark was proving worse than his bite and it was the first time in a decade he failed to win a title. He dropped down the rankings and isn't even seeded this year. It hasn't restricted him.
Robbie Ginepri was the first round casualty. Next was Juan Martin Del Porto. Ranked fifth in the world he was still unable to take a set off Hewitt, whose ranking has fallen to 56 thanks to his long lay-off. It was deemed the biggest upset of the second round but also shows that statistics do lie. Hewitt is better than his ranking would suggest. On the evidence of the year so far, much better and he now has everything to gain as he enters a period of the year where he missed tournaments last term and has no ranking points to defend. The likelihood of him whizzing back up the rankings is high. It appeals to his sense of purpose and competitiveness. None of which will thrill his rivals. They dislike his combative nature and his out-spoken remarks.
Yesterday his skill and his hunger to again reach the latter stages of a tournament he usually thrives in showed again. On Court No 2, commandeered as a little patch of Australia among the putunias of the All England Lawn Tennis Club, he followed Sam Stosur, who may have lost but at least did her job of warming up the Oz fans for Hewitt.
And he revved them up even further, with a demonstration of just how good he can be against Philipp Petzschner of Germany, once again progressing without dropping a set, 7-5, 7-6, 6-3.
The onward march is such that many are now wondering just how far he can go at this year's Championships. Next up is Radek Stepanek but there is no doubting Hewitt loves the grass and enjoys the advantage it gives him over others.
"After the surgery my surgeon was very confident that I would get back to full fitness and I was prepared to do the hard work to get to this stage of the big tournaments so it's nice to be in the second week of a slam. I guess when you're at the top of your game you kind of take it for granted that you will get to the last 16 in slams but when you are not seeded it's not always that easy. That's what's pleasing and to do it against worthy opponents and not drop a set so far, that's nice."
Roddick's record so far has not been as blemish free. Sets have been lost but he is still marching on. Yesterday the obstacle was Jurgen Melzer, and although it took four sets it was still a job well done, winning 7-6, 7-6 4-6, 6-3. In the players' box sat Larry Stefanki one of the main reasons for the form revival. The coach and player teamed up seven months ago and this is their first Wimbledon together but he is a good man to have in your corner. After all he has been here before. Stefanki is the man who previously coached Tim Henman, a four times semi-finalist at the All England club, and he also guided both Marcelo Rios and Yevgeny Kafelnikov to World No 1 status.
Topping the world rankings is still an ambition for Roddick, who made it to the hilt in 2003 following his US Open win, but for the time being progress to the latter stages of this tournament would suffice.
He is now well en route. What is interesting is the fact that these two past masters are scheduled to meet up in the quarter-finals, presenting the prospect of two grass court specialists serving up the kind of enjoyment they manufactured when they met at Queen's Club earlier this month.
Roddick won that one but few would be daft enough to wager their mortgage on the outcome this time. Roddick badly wants to maintain the momentum but Hewitt has already proved, that he isn't ko'd that easily. He simply picks himself up and keeps on slugging.
