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Still got what it takes? Messrs McEnroe and Lendle don't believe Lleyton Hewitt can make it back to the top 10. (Getty Images: Paul Kane)
Tennis legends Ivan Lendl and John McEnroe say Lleyton Hewitt has scant chance of returning to the world top 10.
Former world number one Hewitt, on a comeback from a four month lay-off after a second bout of hip surgery, is ranked 54 ahead of next week's Australian Open.
And Lendl and McEnroe do not like the Australian's chances of breaking back into the top 10 at age 29 under such circumstances.
"Certainly, it's not easy for anyone," Lendl said.
"There are so many good players, and younger players, and the game is moving on.
"And every time you have an injury like he did, and you are out for extended period of time, you have to catch up.
"And then he can only start improving again and the other guys kept improving the entire time, so it makes it much harder."
McEnroe agrees it will be a tall order.
"He has got a lot to be proud of ... but players are hungry and younger and it's tough," said McEnroe, who is in Adelaide with Lendl to contest this week's World Tennis Challenge.
"On a given day I think he could beat anybody.
"But to go all the way back, that means you have to be healthy for an extended period of time, I hope he's healthy to have that chance.
"It's going to be very difficult to get back to that level but he certainly is one of the greatest competitors I have seen on a tennis court."
- AAP
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