Former swim coach offers to help Hewitt

SYDNEY, Oct 31 (Reuters) Australia's former head swimming coach Don Talbot has offered to help Lleyton Hewitt rediscover his aggression for tennis.

Talbot told the Daily Telegraph today he had contacted Hewitt's camp offering advice on how the former world number one can return to the top.

Talbot believes Hewitt has curbed his aggression because of constant criticism of his on-court behavior but believes he should stick to his natural instincts.

''I rang his manager a couple of weeks ago and just said, 'I'm no expert on tennis, but I know how to win','' Talbot said.

''I am a huge fan of Lleyton, but he's changed his behaviour and on-court demeanour because people were critical of his on-court behaviour.'' Hewitt needed to bring back a ''mongrel element'' to his game.

''Lleyton trying to be a good boy is just not him and if he continues along that line, he'll head into the wilderness.'' Hewitt won the U S Open in 2001 then Wimbledon the following season to finish both years ranked number one in the world before his career started to go into decline.

He has not won a grand slam since although he has not been far away -- reaching the 2004 U S Open final as well the 2005 Australian Open -- and has slipped to 18th place in the world rankings.

Reuters PM DB0941