Roche's return the shot for Hewitt

Lleyton Hewitt and Tony Roche. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: Herald Sun

Newcombe believes Roche - Hewitt's personal coach until last year - holds the key to unlocking whatever highs are left in the South Australian's game.

His backing of a reunion between former protege Hewitt and long-time sidekick Roche comes as speculation mounts Hewitt could soon re-hire Roche as his private coach.

Industry conjecture continues to swirl around the identity of Hewitt's new coach following the resignation of Nathan Healey in August.

Healey replaced Roche, who worked with Hewitt for two years until July, 2009.

Roche and Hewitt have maintained a strong relationship since parting ways last year.

Roche had been working for the French-based Mouratoglou Academy, a scenario described by Newcombe as "a crime".

The triple Wimbledon winner predicts Roche and new Davis Cup captain Pat Rafter can extract the best from the former world No.1 Hewitt's game. "I think it's great for Lleyton and I think it's great for Tony to have the chance to work together again," Newcombe said.

"For us to be in the position that we're in, to have such a valuable asset not being utilised for the good of Australian tennis was a crime.

"I think that Tony feels really good about it. He had a lot of angst against Tennis Australia.

"Pat becoming captain persuaded him into doing the Davis Cup coaching job again.

"The big question with Lleyton is 'Is he going to stay injury free?' "I don't think he's had a year in the last seven where he hasn't had some injuries. So the poor guy can't get a consistent run-on."

Newcombe said Tennis Australia must authorise Roche and Rafter to do whatever was necessary to rebuild Australian tennis.

That includes responsibility for helping veteran Hewitt reclaim a top-20 ranking.

"I think Tony should be doing a) the Davis Cup; b) working with Lleyton and c) working with our elite coaches back here and getting together a junior Davis Cup squad for players 16-and-under," Newcombe said.