Teenage tyro Lleyton Hewitt is using two-time US Open champion Patrick Rafter as a role model to crack the world's top 50
players by mid-year.

In Sydney for a two-week intensive training session with Davis Cup coach Tony Roche and to play in the Starlight Foundation
charity day at White City next Sunday, Hewitt, 17, has already imporved his ranking from 550 to 108 this year.

He said, "I've been away almost six months this year and have watched how Patrick conducts himself on and off the court. He
is a credit to himself and Australia. Success just doesn't grow on trees. You've got to admire how Patrick puts in the hard
yards."

"It's paid off and he's sitting at number three in the world and with back-to-back US Opens. He deserves that. Just to see how
hard these top guys work is a learning experience. I know I need to work more off-court with weight training and on my
fitness".

"I put in a lot of work on the practice court and have watched Patrick who gives 110 per cent, even at practice. His fitness
level is excellent. Hopefully, I am on the right track by taking advice from Patrick, John and Tony."

Roche feels Hewitt can be well satisfied with his debut from junior to senior ranks. "He's a great talent and the fastest player on
the circuit", Roche said.

What impresses Hewitt with Rafter's routine is the way he tries to accommodate most people like the media, charities,
sponsors, corporate companies and fans.

"Then he trains so hard - everything is quality not quantity all the time, " Hewitt said. "He is always saying some little things
about my serve and volley. John and Tony have been another influence, not only at Davis Cup, but when I'm away. Even
though I wasn't playing a Davis Cup match, they put in a lot of time with me and when I was in Asia I would call either of them
and talk tactics I should use against my opponents".

In January, Hewitt will defend his Australian hardcourt title in Adelaide. That event announced him as the new kid on the block
when he brushed past world-class opponents Mark Woodforde, Andre Agassi and Jason Stoltenberg to win his first
professional event in his debut appearance.

"I'm happy with the way I'm playing going into January," he said. "I'm just outside the top 100 and you can't do much better
than that in your first year on the professional tour and as a teenager".