By Miles Evans

Former world number one Lleyton Hewitt has been left in the lurch just a week before the Australian Open after his coach quit on Friday.

Long-term friend Roger Rasheed walked out on the former Wimbledon and U.S. Open champion saying he could see no way of achieving the results the pair were looking for.

The news could barely have come at a worse time for Hewitt, just a day after losing in his home-town tournament in Adelaide to world number 94 Igor Kunitsyn and just over a week before the grand slam tournament he covets most.

"This is the hardest decision I've ever had to make, but one I felt I had no choice but to make," Rasheed said in a statement.

"Within the current environment, I don't believe it is possible for us to get the results we are looking for.

"The timing is not ideal, but I feel that it is in both of our best interests that this decision not be delayed."

Rasheed was appointed Hewitt's coach in June 2003, shortly after the combustible Australian ended his 18-month tenure at the top of the world rankings.

A former fitness trainer to Hewitt, his appointment as coach started badly as he oversaw his charge crash in the first round of Wimbledon to unseeded Croatian Ivo Karlovic as he attempted to defend his crown.

WALK AWAY

Hewitt, who had previously been coached by Australians Darren Cahill and Jason Stoltenberg, ended 2006 with a world ranking of 20 after a year that saw him secure just one title, at London's Queen's Club in June.

Rasheed insisted Hewitt was capable of reaching the game's heights once again but only with a change to his coaching set-up.

"I believe in Lleyton as a player and still believe he's capable of winning grand slams, but I feel the only way I can make a positive change to his environment, and mine, is to walk away from one of the great coaching jobs," his statement continued.

"I have also thoroughly enjoyed my time on the road and even though my wife and I have just become parents, I wouldn't hesitate to jump back into a similar role, as this is the easiest time to travel with a family."

Hewitt's best effort at the Australian Open, which starts on January 15, was a runner-up finish to Marat Safin in 2005.