Lleyton Hewitt's US Open prospects looked hazy as the Australian admitted Saturday he would carry a knee injury into the final Grand Slam of the season that starts here on Monday.
"Ill probably play," said Hewitt, who is battling tendinitis and retired while trailing in his second round match at the Toronto Masters earlier in the month.
"Well see how it goes. Ive hit the last three days now. Its more just trying to get my rhythm back and testing my movement out a little bit."
He said he had spent the last two weeks getting treatement and trying to prepare himself to compete at Flushing Meadows, where he won the title in 2001.
"Its definitely not 100 percent yet, but hopefully theres still a couple more days to go and hopefully I dont aggravate it any more during the tournament.
"Ive been able to play with niggling injuries before in the past. At the French Open this year, it was pretty tough.
"I twisted my ankle five days before the French Open, so that wasnt ideal. Theres no doubt my ankle wasnt 100 percent, but I was still able to get through a few rounds and push Rafael Nadal in the fourth round. So I definitely know how to play with pain.
"That could be something thats going to be tested again here in the next fortnight."
Hewitt, the 15th seed, is due to face Spain's Albert Montanes in the first round.