Lleyton Hewitt lost today to Martin Alund in Houston. Ranked in the 80s, Hewitt, now 32, is a shell of his once great self.
I’m gonna catch some flak for this but I think Hewitt, at his best, his feistiest, most fired up and tenacious, could put a beating on anyone from tennis history…Federer, Nadal and Djokovic included.
Heck, we saw what Hewitt did to Pete Sampras in that U.S. Open final of 2001. Hewitt slammed Poor Pete to the tune of 76 61 61. And it wasn’t like Pete was tired from a long semi – he bested Safin, the defending champ, in straight sets. In his semi, Hewitt blasted Kafelnikov 1-2-1.
Hewitt could do that. He could just annihilate quality players like a mini steamroller, even in the business end of major tournaments, which is quite rare. Can you remember Federer or Nadal just blowing through major semis and finals like Hewitt?
I vividly remember how tough Hewitt was, as his dominance happened when I first got serious about playing competitive tennis. Eyes bulging and burning, neck veins popping, fixing that necklace, fidgeting with his strings, those smirky facial expressions, which delivered messages of intimidation and even subtle taunting at times: “You don’t have any chance, mate.” No one could match Hewitt’s intensity. Remember the time he broke Alex Corretja in the first game of an indoor match and shouted a Come Awwwn! which really irritated the cool Spaniard. But that was how extraordinarily intense Hewitt was, it was far beyond the typical levels.
Another time Hewitt was en route to putting a triple bagel on Corretja at the Australian Open and he almost got it too.
Hewitt was quicker than a cat, about as consistent as anyone in history, very solid volleys and an underrated serve. I loved that running backhand slice he could drop down the line for passing shot winners. His backhand could pass with ease either up the line or cross court. Hewitt made it look easy. But best of all he had a fighting spirit second to none. Like a professional boxing friend of mine said with a hint of respect and also annoyance, “He looks like he wants to fight (the opponent).”
Man, could he fight on the court. Out-sized or out-manned, it didn’t matter, Hewitt fought and fought until the bitter end. He’s won over 570 matches since turning pro in 1998. He’s won 28 career singles titles, the first being Adelaide as a precocious and unknown sixteen-year-old ranked 550 in the world.
Hewitt could do amazing things on the court, like come back from two sets down and two points away from death against Federer in Davis Cup. Like beating a prime Gustavo Kuerten on clay in Davis Cup in Brazil. Like manhandling a guy named Pete Sampras in a major final.
No one played with more passion, more guts, more desire, more intensity than Lleyton Hewitt, ranked #1 in 2001 and 2002.
Just 5-11, 160 pounds, Hewitt could very well be pound for pound the greatest player in tennis history. He had exactly the qualities to overcome prime Federer, Nadal and Djokovic. Yes he could.
There. I just put the chip on Hewitt’s shoulder. I dare ya to knock it off.
Hewitt almost triple bageled Corretja
Steve · April 10, 2013 at 8:02 pm
Absolutely Scoop. Hewitt is one of the greatest players of all time. Is he really 5’11”? He looks 5’10” to me.
Hewitt is part of the greatest triumvirate of fighters along with Nadal and Connors. He’s also one of the most misunderstood players, IMHO. Many tennis fans dislike him. They mistake his intensity in the heat of battle for something else but they are wrong.
Before you write his retirement remember he beat Raonic at the Aussie not too long ago.
Scoop Malinowski · April 10, 2013 at 10:37 pm
Steve I have stood next to Hewitt many times he is a tiny bit taller than me and I’m 5-10, he’s bigger than you think. He’s also a lot heavier and thicker than he used to be, I’d guess 15 pounds. He used to be a lot slighter and quicker, amazingly quick, maybe the speediest player of all time, now he has average footspeed, if not below average. I think another stat that reflects Hewitt’s greatness is that he just blew out Sampras and Nalbandian in his first and only two major finals. I mean total blowouts. Not even Federer, Sampras, Agassi or Nadal scored such easy decisive blowouts in their first two major finals. Hewitt was like Mike Tyson, just devastating, though his prime best years were only for a short reign.
Harold · April 11, 2013 at 4:30 pm
Hewitt was a bigger and better version of Chang. Both were intense, Hewitt, probably a lot more in your face, although Chang would fist pump.
Hewitt had way more feel, and one of the top 3 all-time back hand topspin lobs.
His forehand would break down. He could get hot on that side for a set, but you just knew it was going to break down
Scoop Malinowski · April 11, 2013 at 8:34 pm
I thought Hewitt moved with more agility than Chang and like you say, better feel. If Hewitt was a couple inches taller, he might have won a lot more majors. Hewitt was so good when at his best, for a medium size guy that was incredible.
Steve · April 12, 2013 at 7:30 am
@Harold yeah his lob on the backhand side was amazing.
Thomas Tung · April 12, 2013 at 8:09 pm
Hewitt was a far superior vollyer compared to Chang. Chang would grind you down, but Hewitt would make you taste the gravel — and your face would be bloodied after a match with him. Hewitt’s serve was what Chang wished he had — not a insta-rocket, but a very good precision/point construction tool (Michael’s at its best was just good).
In short, Hewitt at his best almost always found a way to get under your skin (a la Juan Ignacio Chela’s spitting at his chair during a changeover some years back).
Scoop Malinowski · April 13, 2013 at 8:37 am
Thomas, Hewitt could volley, he was smooth at net, he won a US Open doubles title with Mirnyi in 2000 against Ferreira/Leach. He had a running fued with most of the Argentines from that Chela incident, the Argentine journalist in Miami told me Chela admitted he lost his mind in that incident, Hewitt so enraged him. Hewitt and Nalbandian also do not like each other and Hewitt and Coria are bitter enemies. Of course, Gaudio and Coria are far from friends – to the point that Coria refuses to even play an exhibition against Gaudio which would make good money in Argentina – and Gaudio is one of the few Argies who is friendly with Hewitt. Maybe another way to jab Coria. Intriguing dynamic between Hewitt and the Argentines. Hewitt does get along with Monaco and Delpo though.
Andrew Miller · April 13, 2013 at 7:21 pm
The description of pound for pound best player sounds right.
Scoop Malinowski · April 13, 2013 at 8:40 pm
Pound for pound maybe the best of all time, I’m sure plenty would argue Andrew but man o man Hewitt was something extraordinary in his heyday. I won’t forget. Delpo won’t either, Delpo has often said Hewitt was one of his favorite players and tennis inspirations.
Dan Markowitz · April 15, 2013 at 9:05 am
Better than Jimbo pound for pound? I think not! or even Johnny Mac!
Scoop Malinowski · April 15, 2013 at 9:25 am
Hewitt vs. Connors or Mac on Louie Armstrong, imagine those potential fireworks and glares and COME AWNS…