Lleyton Hewitt insists he never really retired from playing doubles

Lleyton Hewitt’s doubles appearance at Estoril this week won't be a one-off, with the veteran saying he plans to play in a few more events.

It could be called a comeback, except that Hewitt says he never officially stopped.

"I don't know if I retired in doubles," the former No. 1 said to press at Estoril, having stopped playing singles at the 2016 Australian Open. "Since I retired at the Australian Open, I've played doubles at a few different tournaments...and then I played with Sam Groth again at the Australian Open this year, and was surprised by my level."

Now captaining the Australians in Davis Cup, Hewitt is playing this week with the up-and-coming Alex de Minaur, who he has been helping on tour.

The 19-year-old de Minaur received a wild card in the singles, winning his first-round match.

"I know it means a lot to Alex playing with me this week. I really enjoy working with him," said Hewitt.

The two-time Grand Slam champion also said on social media that he was "planning on playing a few more events," though he does not know exactly which ones he will be entering.

Hewitt and De Minaur won their opening-round match against Michael Venus and Raven Klaasen in Estoril, 6-4, 6-4.

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