THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
SYDNEY, Australia -- Lleyton Hewitt withdrew from next week's U.S. Open after undergoing hip surgery.
Hewitt, the 2001 U.S. Open champion, said in a statement published on his website Wednesday he is frustrated at not being able to play but had exhausted every possibility besides surgery
"Surgery was always the last resort, but unfortunately that's what it came down to," the former world No. 1 said. "I am also shattered that I can't lead the Australian Davis Cup team in Chile in our bid to rejoin the world group, and hope that the boys can still come through with a great win."
Australia's world group playoff against Chile is scheduled to be played at Santiago in September.
Hewitt, also a U.S. Open finalist in 2004, was knocked out of the Olympic tennis tournament in the second round last week in Beijing by top-ranked Rafael Nadal.
Hewitt said he will now focus on his rehabilitation for the Australian season.
"I am looking forward to playing again in January in my home country and using that as a springboard to compete at my best again on the world stage for at least a couple of more years," he said.
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