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Hewitt withdraws from Masters

08/11/2005

Australian Lleyton Hewitt has pulled out of next week's Masters Cup in Shanghai to attend the birth of his first child.

The former world number one admitted he was disappointed not to be taking part in the prestigious eight-man event but that his priorities rest with expecting wife Bec Cartwright.

"With my baby due in the next two weeks, it is not possible for me to come," said Hewitt, who won the Masters Cup title three years ago.

"I wish the event well and am sure it will be a great success and I hope to qualify for next year's Masters Cup in Shanghai.

"I'm extremely disappointed as I have always enjoyed playing the event and had a great time in Shanghai in 2002, winning the event and maintaining my year-end world number one status."

Argentine Gaston Gaudio has accepted the invitataion to replace Hewitt and compete in the $4.45 million competition.

World number one Roger Federer, as well as Andre Agassi, Rafael Nadal and Guillermo Coria have all arrived in Shanghai ahead of the event.

Andy Roddick, Nikolay Davydenko and Ivan Ljubicic complete the line-up.

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