Lleyton Hewitt refused to entertain the thought that his career might be cut short after his second hip operation in less than a year and a half.
The 22nd-ranked Hewitt, who turns 29 in just over three weeks, is already counting down to a late May return in time for the French Open. But his most realistic chances for success might lie at Wimbledon where he reached the quarter-finals last year and claimed the title in 2002.
"For me, the obvious goal will be Wimbledon. It's a place where I feel comfortable. It's a place (where) I played extremely well last year.
"I was only one or two points away from making the semis there (he lost to Andy Roddick). I feel like if I can get back and play some matches before Wimbledon, I have an outside chance of doing well."
The veteran denied the talks of retirement. "That never went through my mind. I've worked too hard to come back. I feel like I'm hitting the ball as well as I've nearly ever hit it," he said after his Australian Open loss to Roger Federer.
"The bloke I lost to at the start of this week, he's as good as you get right at the moment. I don't feel like I'm that far away, my ball striking, from doing some damage in the Grand Slams."
Despite his fitness problem, Hewitt will be helped by a return to a top 20 ranking Monday.