Nick Bollettieri's Wimbledon Dossier: Djokovic needs to find Hewitt grit

Coaching Report: Lleyton Hewitt (Aus) v Albert Montanes (Sp), No 2 Court

I followed the progress of Lleyton Hewitt yesterday, got distracted somewhat as an earthquake of a shock unfolded as Marat Safin ousted Novak Djokovic, and ended up concluding that Novak could do worse than look at Hewitt for the world's best example of grit.

I don't mean grit in yesterday's match especially, because the counter-punching Aussie came through in three straight sets, 7-6, 6-0, 6-2, against Spain's Albert Montanes, which was a contrast to the latest in Hewitt's long line of All England Club five-setters on Monday.

I mean grit in any situation on a tennis court. Hewitt never, ever gives in. It's worth repeating something I've said many times about this guy. If I had to pick a single person on the tour to have in my foxhole in a war, it's Lleyton Hewitt, relentless battler. We know his game on court: solid, strong, baseline shovel shots, the doubled-handed scoops, the mixing it up when he needs. It won him the 2002 Wimbledon title among others, meaning he and Roger Federer are the only former champs in the draw.

They could meet in the fourth round, but it's premature to think of that. Yet Holy Mackerel! I believe there was even a serious doubt that Hewitt would even play Wimbledon this year because of his hip injury. But not only is he there, competing to the last in each match, visibly through the pain barrier, then he goes into a press conference and shrugs it off as manageable. He doesn't let suffering show.

Djokovic is still a little different in that department. He slows when he's feeling the pressure and his body language betrays that he's not coping. Whereas Hewitt is the cockroach, steely, always ready to bite you in the ass, Djokovic does not have that toughness yet. Double-faults at the end against Safin told you quite a bit about that.

Not that Novak should be downhearted. He's an immense talent and more than capable of becoming world No 1. The best thing he can do now is count his defeat as a blessing and go away and think about what needs changing not so much in his game as in his attitude.

It's understandable that there's a lot going through his head, with his rapid ascent to Slam champion this year in Melbourne, and sustained excellence for a while now. But as I wrote earlier this week, if you start talking the talk (about being better than so-and-so, or that Thingummy Jig is not the player he was), then man! You've got to walk the walk because you've put a whole lot of fresh pressure on yourself.

Djokovic had everything to lose in losing, and lost. Safin had nothing to lose, and just shone. On his day, he can beat anyone in the world. And you know what? When he was a teenager, I turned him away, telling him he wouldn't make it. Jeez! What kind of crazy error was that? It was a time when I had one scholarship up for grabs, and two candidates, the other being Marcelo Rios, who was a few years older than Marat. I took Safin aside and said: "Marat, boy, you need to work a lot harder. Frankly, I don't think you have what it takes."

Every time I've seen him since he's said: "Nick, man, were you wrong or what?" And I have to say: "Yes Marat, I was wrong."

Sure, he's had his problems with focus, with his mindset disrupting his play. It didn't yesterday, even when his forehand went off. It was impressive. I hope it lasts for him and Hewitt both.

Gulbis can rattle Nadal's cage

Rafael Nadal had better watch out today because Ernests Gulbis is one heck of a player. The 19-year-old Latvian has had some good results this year, breezing past Marat Safin in the Aussie Open (and look what Marat did yesterday), reaching the quarters at Roland Garros and having a run on grass before Andy Murray ended his chances at Queen's. All he lacks is experience. He has the shots, he's strong. But he'll need a bit more, I believe, to topple Nadal, whom I take to win in four. Venus Williams faces a second Brit test in a row, after beating Naomi Cavaday, when she plays Anne Keothavong. The prospect of lowering the home flag twice in a row won't bother Venus, and, as long as she's got her big serve on, I see no upset. I'd be shocked it was anything but a straightforward win for the reigning champion. For more picks and a full record of what happens to my predictions, visit:

www.nickstennispicks.com

Today's Big Match Xavier Malisse v Andy Murray

Belgian NATIONALITY British

27 AGE 21

Kortrijk PLACE OF BIRTH Dunblane

Florida RESIDENCE Dunblane

1998 TURNED PRO 2005

Right-handed PLAYS Right-handed

6ft 1in HEIGHT 6ft 3in

77kg WEIGHT 79kg

No 226 WORLD RANKING No 11

Wild card SEEDING No 12

3 CAREER TITLES 5

£1.7m PRIZE-MONEY £1.2m

W12 L7 WIMBLEDON RECORD W6 L12

Semi-final (2002) WIMBLEDON BEST 4th round (2001)

HEAD-TO-HEAD: No previous meetings

ODDS: Malisse 5-1, Murray 1-5

Bollettieri predicts: I'm torn on this, but Murray, just.

Xavier has been around a long time, and he's travelled the tough road. He's only in the tournament on a wild card and knows in a sense this is it, possibly his last stand at just 27. He should have been top five, but he's down in the hundreds. He can move like Muhammad Ali, sting like him, and winning this match is not beyond him. I have a fantastic relationship with him. I brought him to the academy, when he was 16 and had been ostracised back in Belgium because he was hard to get along with. A lovely guy off court, a crazy man on it. In one early match in the Eddie Herr junior event, he was dumping it, sitting on the floor, moaning and not trying. I sent a coach over to tell him: "You lose this match, kid, and Nick's going to kick the crap out of you." He won the match, and the tournament. We know all about Andy. He's got the shots and the movement and, if he plays to his potential, he should just have a little too much for Xavier. But as Marat Safin showed yesterday, don't underestimate quality.

Nick's tips to improve your game

Tip No 3: Don't hope. Believe

Psychology is important in elite sports because the margins between winning and losing can be so slim. Every little advantage is important. Confidence is crucial. The best example I can give was when I told Serena Williams, before each Slam of her "Serena Slam" year, that she had to believe, not hope. "I'm tired of this bullshit, coming close but not close enough," she'd said to me before that. "Well, start believing you'll win," I said. "Believe it, it's your right because your physical strength and ability is enough to beat up anyone – anyone." I picked on something so obvious that she had to believe in that, and hence herself, and that she would win. Identify a strong point and believe you will win with it. Go on court with the mindset that victory is going to happen.

Win a week at Bollettieri Tennis Academy

Want to win a week's stay at my Florida academy, on me? Again, I'm running a competition in this column to give you the chance to travel to America and train in the footsteps of Andre Agassi, Maria Sharapova and other top players.

To enter, just email to tell me who you think is going to win today's big match. I'm looking for a scoreline, and a forecast of the manner in which your pick will win. Each day, I'll select a daily winner, with the overall winner drawn from all those at the end of the tournament.

Yesterday's winner for the Djokovic-Safin match was Chris Blake (the solitary entrant who said Safin would win), who goes into the hat, joining Gary Goodger and Dave O'Carroll so far. The competition is open to all ages. I'll cover tuition, accommodation and meals. You buy the air ticket. Last year's winner was reader Rachel O'Reilly, whose diary of her time in Florida can be read in full in the sports section of this newspaper's website. To enter, email me before the match starts at: n.bollettieri@independent.co.uk

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