Last Updated: Sat, 30 Jan 2010 11:07
Australian star Lleyton Hewitt is set for another spell on the sidelines after undergoing a second hip operation in 18 months.
The 29-year-old has been enjoying a resurgence in his career after a few years in the wilderness during which he underwent a first operation on his suspect hip.
But the former world number one will have to make another comeback after he was forced to go under the surgeon's knife following his fourth round exit at the hands of Roger Federer in Melbourne.
The Adelaide-born star has won two Grand Slam titles to date - the 2001 US Open and the 2002 Wimbledon Championships - but he has slipped down the rankings in recent season due to persistent injuries and a dip in form.
However the right-hander looked to be coming back to form last year and began this campaign looking sharp before the latest setback to his truncated career.
Despite the disappointing news, Hewitt is determined to bounce back and has set his sights on Roland Garros in the spring, with no thoughts of hanging up his racket just yet.
"After the Australian Open, I had to go and have hip surgery," he said. "I'll be back, ready for the French Open.
"That (retirement) never went through my mind. I've worked too hard to come back. I feel like I'm hitting the ball as well as I've nearly ever hit it.
"The bloke I lost to the start of this week (Federer) he's as good as you get right at the moment.
"I don't feel like I'm that far away, my ball striking, from doing some damage in the Grand Slams."