just wanna post bits of an article from today's sunday telegraph.. couldn't have said it better myself.
Three-time Wimbledon champion John Newcombe has slammed critics of Lleyton Hewitt's high-volume approach to tennis, saying: "It is not a game for sissies out there".
Hewitt has come under fire in the past fortnight, with his combative style getting under the skin of rival players as the world No3 has fought and scratched his way into his first Australian Open final where he will face volatile Russian Marat Safin tonight.
There will be no toning it down in the final against the highly strung Safin, who has shown a propensity to unravel throughout his career.
Newcombe stood firmly in Hewitt's corner yesterday.
"When Lleyton goes on court it's like going to war." Newcombe said.
"It's not a place for sissies out there. You back off and you're going to get your head taken off. What Lleyton does is not that bad or unfair".
Newcombe also launched a blistering attack on Hewitt's critics.
"I think it is un-Australian the way Lleyton is being criticised." Newcombe said.
"Why would you criticise Lleyton when he leaves his heart and guts on the court?
He has finished end-of-year No1 in two consecutive seasons, won two grand slam titles, won more Davis Cup matches than any other Australian and he is only 23.
I know Lleyton loves nothing better than representing his country."
Hewitt has polarised opinion with his in-your-face antics. His fist-pumping clearly irritated James Blake and he also got under the skin of Juan Ignacio Chela to the point where the Argentine spat in his direction.
David Nalbandian was unimpressed by the antics in their epic five-set quarter-final.
But while Hewitt's swagger drives his opponents to distraction, it also strokes his competitive fires.
Twice in this tournament he has looked beaten - against Spanish teenager Rafael Nadal and Nalbandian - but he rallied the crowd behind him with exhortations of "Come on, Australia".
Hewitt found an ally in Australian Olympic Games sports psychologist, Phil Jauncey, who said the pugnacious baseliner hasn't overstepped the line of bad sportsmanship.
"His 'C'mon' has nothing to do with distracting his opponent," Jauncey said. "He respects every opponent and is not trying to humiliate them."
"He doesn't look at this opponent and looks at his hand. When you hear Hewitt, he's challenging himself to lift to another level. He adds electricity, atmosphere and is good for the game."
..loved his game against federer..so awesome 
