Tennis star-cum-professional golfer Scott Draper has revealed he only turned down a contract to coach Lleyton Hewitt after plenty of soul searching.

In an interview with the magazine New Idea, published in this week's issue, Draper said he believed he could have helped Hewitt return to his best.

"I wanted to take it on as I felt I could really help Lleyton. We've been mates for a long time and he's a generous, loyal, motivated and intense person," Draper said.

"I thought I could make a difference by relieving the stress in his life, improving his relationships with those around him and helping to resurrect his career."

But Draper said he eventually decided to knock back the opportunity to allow him to pursue his new passion: golf.

"I didn't want to wake up in five years and regret coaching him because it stopped me giving every chance to my golf - which is now my own dream and passion."

The decision is just starting to pay dividends, just last weekend Draper took home his first professional golf title: the NSW PGA.

Draper also revealed his joy at starting a family with wife Jessica, who is currently pregnant, but told the magazine the couple had held off on having a baby until after he had finished his tennis career.

"As soon as we met we talked about kids. I was keen for a baby, but the brakes were on until 18 months after our wedding. First I needed to finish my tennis career so I could work out where I was heading next," he told New Idea.

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