TENNIS in DEPTH.

Like a fat kid at a buffet bar, the Aussie former world no.1 just can’t resist the temptation to smear egg all over his face at any opportunity.

Now approaching veteran status on the ATP Tour, the 28-year-old Hewitt is determined not to let it show.

In fact, as his playing powers wane, it seems increasingly likely that the “Aussie battler” will be better remembered for his public displays of petulance than his remarkable on-court tenacity and resolve.

A nagging baseliner, Hewitt stepped briefly into the power vacuum left by retiring giants Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi in 2001. Two grand slam titles later, he was unceremoniously shunted aside by a new breed of power players led by Roger Federer, Marin Safin and Andy Roddick.

Since then he has toiled with limited success against bigger, craftier opponents, with his world ranking slipping to 67 at the end of last year.

But even in lean times, his big mouth and comparatively-small brain have kept him near the headlines.

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