Lleyton Hewitt dives for a backhand return during his match against Jerzy Janowicz at Wimbledon on Friday. The five-set match was the Australian's record 42nd such encounter in a Grand Slam, but the veteran lost 7-5, 6-4, 6-7 (7), 4-6, 6-3. Toby Melville / Reuters

Record-breaking Aussie veteran not quite ready to call it quits

Lleyton Hewitt set a record for playing the most five-set Grand Slam matches, then insisted at 33 he is still fresh enough to continue putting himself "through the wringer".

The Australian veteran, playing his 16th Wimbledon, said quitting was "not something I think about" despite the exhausting toll it has taken on his body.

The 2002 champion went out in the second round to Polish 15th seed Jerzy Janowicz on Friday in a 7-5, 6-4, 6-7 (7), 4-6, 6-3 marathon loss that was a gritty battle between two fierce competitors.

The contest saw Hewitt break the Open era record for the most five-set matches played at Grand Slams, with 42. He previously shared the record of 41 with Andre Agassi.

"I wouldn't have a clue on the record; I'd much rather win in three or four sets than go the distance all the time. I seem to put everyone through the wringer quite a bit," Hewitt said.

With a win-loss record of 26-16, only Pete Sampras at 29-9 has won more five-set matches in the post-1968 Open era.

Hewitt waved goodbye to the Wimbledon crowd but said he didn't know it it was a final farewell.

"You never know. I'm one injury away from hanging up the bats at any time. Obviously you appreciate the support out there," the world No 48 said.

"When you're out there in battle, you're doing what comes naturally to you. Nothing changes. I'm focused on every single point. As soon as anything else starts entering your mind, you might as well walk inside, because you're done."

Hewitt said the possibility of not playing another Wimbledon was moot.

"I'm playing for my own reasons. I know when I play my best tennis, I can still go out there and push guys, especially on this kind of surface over five sets," said the former world No 1.

"I still enjoy it. I still enjoy doing the hard work. For moments out there like this, to play five-setters against the best guys in the world.

"In some ways, the last couple years, I've been grateful I've been able to come back, especially after the last surgery when I didn't really think I'd be able to go out there and compete against the guys again.

"There's satisfaction in doing that."

Hewitt, 33, was contesting his 61st Grand Slam. He is tied for second place with Agassi and Roger Federer on the list of the most Grand Slams played in the Open era, behind Fabrice Santoro's 70.

"The body felt fine out there which is obviously a positive thing," Hewitt said after losing to Janowicz. "But it's still frustrating to walk off the court feeling fine, feeling like you could have bounced back and played another five-setter."

Janowicz, who at 23 is 10 years younger than his opponent, was in no doubt the Australian should carry on.

"Lleyton Hewitt is still very dangerous," the Pole said after their first encounter.

"He's a really, really good player. It doesn't matter how old he is. In my opinion, he will not finish his career like this - he will still play at least two more years.

"I hope I will not play against him any more."

(China Daily 06/29/2014 page11)