Tony Roache has announced today that he will guide Lleyton Hewitt back to the top of the tennis world, after the legendary coach parted ways with Roger Federer in April. A former French open champion, Roache also coached Ivan Lendl and Pat Rafter throughout their careers.

Hewitt has been coachless since his dramatic break up with Roger Rasheed in January, and many expected Roache to fill the void, despite Darren Cahill and John Fitzgerald recently guiding the former Wimbledon champ during the European Summer . The South Australia will be occumpanied by Roache at all four grand slams as well as most Master Series events for the remainder of this year and for 2008.

Having spent two years at number one in 2001 and 2002, Hewitt is keen to challenge Federer and Nadal for the top spot and is excited about reuniting with Roache after being mentored by him as a teenager in Davis Cup. "Rochey and I have had a great relationship over the years," Hewitt enthused. "He's a very positive guy, he's obviously one of the best coaches in the world."

Roache also shared his enthusiam towards helping Hewitt challenge for third grand slam title. "That's the goal he said. We've got to shoot for the top," Roache said "I wouldn't be doing this job if I didn't think Lleyton had chance of winning a grand slam."

Roache's first challenge will be to prepare Hewitt for next month's US Open, a tournament Hewitt won in 2001.