By Paul Levine
SportsTicker Contributing Writer
INDIAN WELLS, California - Former tennis love doubles
Lleyton Hewitt and Kim Clijsters are showing that breaking up is
not so hard to do.
After a four-year relationship and 10-month engagement,
Clijsters called off their February wedding plans in October
while rehabbing from left wrist surgery. The former No. 1 said
the experience has made her a changed person.
"I'm very happy," said Clijsters, who reportedly is dating a
hunky underwear model from her native Belgium. "It's the past.
I've learned so much out of those five years and it's an
experience that everyone should have. I learned so much about
myself in the past year. It made me think about the things in
life I want to do. It made me a stronger person."
Hewitt, the second seed behind world No. 1 Roger Federer of
Switzerland at the $2.1 million Pacific Life Open, paused for a
moment when asked if he has also grown since the breakup.
"I don't know. I've always been mature," he said. "I feel
confident within myself and I think you learn a lot about
yourself in different situations. At the end of last year it was
a tough situation mentally."
Hewitt agreed with his former girlfriend that the split is going
to turn out positive for both. Since the breakup, the fiery
Australian became engaged to fellow-Aussie soap star actress
Becca Cartwright of the daytime series, "Home and Away."
"I can only speak personally on my behalf but for me it's
great," he said. "I'm very happy with how everything has panned
out. With Becca, it's been fantastic the last few months. I've
feel very relaxed both on and off the court. I can't complain
with my situation right at the moment."
While Hewitt focuses on winning the desert title for the third
time, he likely will run into Clijsters for the first time since
the breakup. But he admits it won't be an awkward situation.
"I don't think so, it's something you're going to go through,"
he explained. "It's going to be different than seeing any other
player, I think. But then again, we've both got big careers to
look forward. We'll do our normal thing, anyway. There's nothing
you can do about it anyway."
Though he said they remain friends, they haven't talked in
months.
"I haven't spoken to her in a while but I'm sure we'll chat
here," he said. "There's no bad blood at all, there's no bad
feelings. "We'll both do our own thing and prepare for our
matches as we normally would."
Though Hewitt has started the year with a 14-2 mark, including a
runner-up showing to Russian Marat Safin at the Australian
Open, he feels Federer is the player to beat and his biggest
rival.
"I think the toughest guy at the moment is Federer, there's no
doubt about that. ... for anyone," Hewitt said. "There's not
just the two of us. Obviously, we've had great matches in the
past. He's had the better of me the last few times but I'll try
and change that. But there's not doubt he's the best player
going around on all surfaces. Right now, he's the toughest guy
to play, and he deserves to be No. 1."