Just when Australian tennis needed a shot of optimism, Lleyton Hewitt and Dellacqua will team to make their comebacks at next week’s Hopman Cup in Perth.

Hewitt returns to court for the first time since hip surgery in August, and Dellacqua hasn’t played since September because of a torn ligament in her shoulder.

While Dellacqua’s early exit from the Beijing Olympics was blamed on a case of service yips, the 23-year-old revealed her shoulder had become so tender she would wince brushing her hair.

As part of her rehabilitation, she spent seven weeks at the AIS in Canberra, with access to constant medical and physiotherapy services.

After video analysis, Dellacqua has been forced to change her service action, which was a threat to her longevity in the sport.

“It was getting my shoulder in an impingement position, where I was in a lot of pain,” she said.

“We had a look at my serve and I’ve changed it a fair bit.

“I’ve had a few weeks to practise, but I’ve still got a long way to go. It was something, though, for my future that needed to be done.”

Coming back ranked 53 in the world, Dellacqua has been granted a wildcard into Sydney’s Medibank International on January 11.

The field includes six of the world’s top 10 and 13 of the top 20, headlined by Serena Williams.

With a career peak at No. 39 this year, Dellacqua said it was a chance to measure herself.

“The field always has depth, you’re always going to play someone that’s top 50 in the world,” she said.

Dellacqua hopes to pick up some pointers from Hewitt at the Hopman Cup. They open their campaign against Germany on Monday, January 5.

“I’m 23, I’m getting to the years where I think I can improve and get higher (in the rankings), so, I can learn so much from a player like Lleyton,” Dellacqua said.

“The Hopman Cup is the perfect preparation, because I haven’t played for so long, I really do need as many matches under my belt as I can get. Lleyton’s had hip surgery and he’s been out for a few months as well, so, I think matches are just what we need.

“I’m expecting the first match to be a bit scratchy, but I want to keep improving, and by Aussie Open time, be hitting my straps.”

THE first serve is still seven days away, yet, already the Brisbane International is shaping as a useful form guide for the Australian Open.

World No. 3 Novak Djokovic and women’s No. 2 Ana Ivanovic can make significant strides towards grand slam victories if they perform strongly in Brisbane, which will be played on the same plexicushion surface as at Melbourne Park.

The tournament’s predecessor, the Australian Women’s Hardcourts, attracted some of the world’s best players to the Gold Coast, but not once in its 12-year history did the winner back up at the Australian Open.

That could all change next month with Djokovic joined in the men’s draw by big names Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Robin Soderling, Tomas Berdych, Mardy Fish and Richard Gasquet.

Ivanovic’s threats include Victoria Azarenka, Marion Bartoli, Daniela Hantuchova, Na Li, Amelie Mauresmo and Queenslander Sam Stosur.

Lleyton Hewitt and Casey Dellacqua to lead Australia | Herald Sun