November 8, 1998
INJURY A PAIN, BUT HEALING...
The championship is a huge event, and the one I've had in mind since winning the US Open,
but I did not want to
do anything to jeopardise my health long term.
I have bruising in my left knee and the doctors have made it clear it is something I must
not mess with.
It is healing quite quickly, but my gut feeling is that something is still catching in the
knee when I move.
I've been having a lot of treatment, but the knee has been quite painful at times.
I can't move as well and sometimes can't push off on my serve. Once my agility is gone, so
is a huge part of my
game.
There was a chance that I could have finished with the No. 1 ranking if I had done well at
Hanover, but I've got to
think of the longer term.
I want to be fit and well for the start of the Australian summer season.
Even so, it's incredibly disappointing to have to withdraw from such an important event.
I'll be spending the next five days in London having treatment, before heading to Bermuda
and then home to
Brisbane.
The Davis Cup captaincy has been resolved with the reappointment of Newk and Rochey, and
all the boys are
excited about next year.
Mark Philippoussis is very serious about being part of the team. He's been talking this
week to Jason Stoltenberg
about playing again. I, too, have spent a bit of time talking to Flip. Nothing too
serious, just trying to get back on
terms.
The next year is a great opportunity for us to do something special.