Fit-again Hewitt plays his card safe

But the 29-year-old Friday was not giving anyway secrets as he prepared to lead Australia into the Hopman Cup mixed team event. Hewitt begins his 2011 campaign Saturday in the New Year’s day start against Belgian Ruben Bemelmans, the world number 178.

Hewitt is happy with his current form but is not giving away any trade secrets. “I am not going to let everyone know what I have been doing. There are a few different things that I have been doing out there,” said the one-time number one.

“I have mixed it up a lot. Obviously I still do a lot of the sand hills and a lot of stair work, agility stuff and sprints. It has been a whole range of different stuff; a lot of AFL (football) drills this year as well. I feel like I’ve be able to mix it up really well and in the last week and a half, taper off and do quick reaction stuff. But believe me, the first five or six weeks were bloody tough.”

Hewitt said he finally feels good after his latest injury round. He has returned to coach Tony Roche and has been putting in the hard yards with his new mentor, also back at his post as Davis Cup coach.