ATLANTA (AFP) Lleyton Hewitt is back into the comfort zone as he plays this week as third seed at the Atlanta Tennis Championships, making his start on hardcourt a full six weeks before the US Open kickoff next month. The 29-year-old, who stands behind Andy Roddick and American John Isner in the seedings, is well at home on the North American hardcourts. The winner of ten career titles on the continent - including the US Open in 2001 - is also a veteran of Atlanta. The event was returned to the ATP calendar this season after a nine-year absence in the wake of a financial deal with the bankrupt Indianapolis event. Hewitts previous visit to the southern American city came in 1999 when it was played on green clay. Im quite comfortable on the hard courts, said the former number one. I dont think its too early to start. Ill take next week and one more off before the Open (which begins August 30). The Australian, now based with his family just a flight away in the Bahamas, is keen to put the confidence he gained from a title victory on grass last month in Halle, Germany, over Roger Federer to work during the gruelling cement summer season. Winning Halle gave me a lot of confidence, especially after beating Roger on grass in a final, said the Aussie. The top players like him all tend to play their best at the business end of a tournament. Number 30 Hewitts last match was the Wimbledon fourth round, where he lost to Novak Djokovic. Its been great being able to have some quality family time since finishing at Wimbledon, he told his website. Ive enjoyed spending all my time with (pregnant wife) Bec, Mia and Cruz away from the tennis courts. But its once again business as usual, having arrived in Atlanta I play my first round against the winner of Lukas Lacko and a qualifier. Ive been training in the heat for the last week and preparing for the American swing towards the US Open. Hewitt is especially impressed with his progress after undergoing a second hip operation in late January after losing in the Australian Open. I never expected to get back to from this fast. said the player who has won a title every year except one (2008) since 1998. Hewitt is planning a full Grand Slam run-up, with his August schedule comprising Washington, Toronto, Cincinnati and then a week off prior to the Open. The US summer is always a gruelling time as it can get extremely hot and you have to back up for a lot of matches. My game suits the US hardcourts well. Im hoping for a good run, Ive got a lot of matches under my belt right now.