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Nalbandian tells the media: `We don't like Lleyton Hewitt'

Former Wimbledon finalist David Nalbandian stirred the seeds of animosity ahead of the Davis Cup semi-final clash between Argentina and Australia by claiming his team-mates don't like Lleyton Hewitt.

Hewitt has been at the center of several spats with Argentines over the last few years and the ill feeling has grown to such an extent that he has reportedly employed two Australian bodyguards for the trip to Buenos Aires this weekend.

"No-one is friends with Hewitt and he does not worry me at all," said the Argentine, who was beaten convincingly by Hewitt in the 2002 final at the All England Club.

"We won last year over there [4-1 in Sydney] and now we will win here."

There had been talk that Hewitt would pull out over security fears but Nalbandian thinks his presence in the team will make little difference.

"With Hewitt, this tie will be a little more difficult but that doesn't change much really," added the world No. 4. "Whichever team comes here to play knows that, at home, we are very strong. And now we have a great chance to make the final."

Earlier, Argentine player Jose Acasuso blasted Hewitt for overreacting to the perceived animosity he will encounter.

"Hewitt seems to think that he's come to Iraq, that they are going to plant a bomb," Acasuso said. "But we're not bothered because this is the circus that he wanted to set up. Nothing's going to happen and we shouldn't pay any attention to it. We're just worried about Argentina. Whether Hewitt has one bodyguard, or 500 bodyguards, that's up to him."

Former world number one Hewitt, who was named alongside Mark Philippoussis and doubles specialists Wayne Arthurs and Paul Hanley for the tie, had previously expressed reservations about playing in the tie because of security concerns.

The bad blood between Hewitt and the Argentines began at last year's Australian Open when Juan Ignacio Chela took exception to the his histrionics and spat at him as they changed ends in their third round match, picking up a fine for unsportsmanlike conduct.

It continued later last year when Hewitt and Guillermo Coria traded insults and accused each other of bad sportsmanship after an ill-tempered Davis Cup singles rubber in Sydney.
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