Federer vs. Hewitt Hamburg 2004 Highlights

[Devin]

Found it in HD!

Beautiful forehand work from Federer. While it's just slightly behind the level of the 2004 USO final, he was dictating well with the forehand, building the points, hitting winners, etc. When Federer's forehand is like this, few can even hold their ground at the baseline.

@abmk @metsman @NatF (don't know who else to ping after this) You guys may have found this before me, but nobody posted it before and it seems to be unavailable on YouTube, but here it is if you guys are interested.

Also, I found some other highlights for other great matches here: https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/ind...ee-this-type-of-tennis-anymore-part-2.620397/ , but this deserves its own thread IMO. That thread has Wimbledon 2003 final vs. Philippoussis highlights and highlights for Federer's TMC 2003 RR match against Agassi.

 

[NatF]

Insane forehand hitting from Federer this match, definitely up there with the USO final.

 

[Mainad]

Vintage Federer but Hewitt was never any great shakes on European clay.

 

[Deleted member 512391]

Nice highlights. Fed was sublime during that tournament beating Coria (the best CC player that year), ending his winning streak of 31 matches on clay, and Gaudio (the FO winner). He beat Moya as well.

 

[abmk]

I have the full match uploaded on my youtube channel.

But its 480p. The you linked to is in 720p (HD).

Federer's FH in this match was devastating. Up there with the USO one.
Only I'd rate the USO perf. higher (multiple reasons for this)

 

[D.Nalby12]

With this level, Fed should have won FO in 2004 itself.

 

[JackGates]

Vintage Federer but Hewitt was never any great shakes on European clay.

Hewitt is better clay courter than Murray.

 

[NatF]

Hewitt is better clay courter than Murray.

Hewitt's underrated on clay, had some very good matches and performances - his demolition of Kuerten in 2001 in Davis Cup in Brazil is probably the most impressive win either have had IMO - but Murray was able to string together two very consistent and very good years on clay, Hewitt never really had great back to back performances in tournaments on clay like Murray has.

 

[Deleted member 512391]

With this level, Fed should have won FO in 2004 itself.

But...AlMUGro choked and let Guga, a big match player, to find his best against Fredi...

 

[zagor]

With this level, Fed should have won FO in 2004 itself.

He might not have been at his clay peak yet but yeah he was definitely one of the main favourites for the title. In retrospect that Kuerten match was maybe one of the most costly losses he had (presuming Fed would go on to win the title, he might have still lost to Nalbo next). He'd have no fixation on the FO and the extra pressure which I feel hindered his performances against Nadal in the years to come.

 

[Devin]

But...AlMUGro choked and let Guga, a big match player, to find his best against Fredi...

I don't recall Federer playing very well against Kiefer either.

 

[Deleted member 512391]

I don't recall Federer playing very well against Kiefer either.

Didn't watch the match, but it isn't surprising. He wasn't quite a force on clay yet in 2004 and, as zagor said, his win against Nalbandian wasn't guaranteed by any means, he pushed much better Federer in Rome/FO in 2006, so it would've been tough.

I posted a comment mostly to mock that uber choker, who started his choking career in his very first grand slam match and who had been so consistent with it throughout his whole career.

 

[NatF]

Didn't watch the match, but it isn't surprising. He wasn't quite a force on clay yet in 2004 and, as zagor said, his win against Nalbandian wasn't guaranteed by any means, he pushed much better Federer in Rome/FO in 2006, so it would've been tough.

I posted a comment mostly to mock that uber choker, who started his choking career in his very first grand slam match and who had been so consistent with it throughout his whole career.

Federer was literal garbage in that Rome 2006 SF, but yeah I'd expect Nalbandian to give Federer a very tough match - not sure if he would have made it to the finals against Coria with his legs fully intact considering his draw.

 

[JackGates]

Hewitt's underrated on clay, had some very good matches and performances - his demolition of Kuerten in 2001 in Davis Cup in Brazil is probably the most impressive win either have had IMO - but Murray was able to string together two very consistent and very good years on clay, Hewitt never really had great back to back performances in tournaments on clay like Murray has.

Yes in terms of greatness, Murray is better on paper, but in terms of ability, Hewitt is better. Murray actually never even played Fed on clay. He never played peak Nadal on clay either.

I guess this is the reason why it's so hard to compare different generations. But really, who would you afraid more in a RG final, Murray or Hewitt?

 

[Mainad]

Hewitt is better clay courter than Murray.

Don't recall Hewitt making any RG finals or winning 2 Clay Masters (beating Nadal in one) so I think it's perfectly safe to say that is a huge crock of ********!

 

[Mainad]

Yes in terms of greatness, Murray is better on paper, but in terms of ability, Hewitt is better. Murray actually never even played Fed on clay. He never played peak Nadal on clay either.

Not just on paper. The fact he never played Fed on clay is neither his fault nor Fed's. As for Nadal, Murray played him close at 2009 MC, 2011 MC, 2014 Rome and beat him twice in his home tournament of Madrid (2015 final, 2016 semi-final).

I guess this is the reason why it's so hard to compare different generations. But really, who would you afraid more in a RG final, Murray or Hewitt?

Murray at least made an RG final.

 

[JackGates]

Not just on paper. The fact he never played Fed on clay is neither his fault nor Fed's. As for Nadal, Murray played him close at 2009 MC, 2011 MC, 2014 Rome and beat him twice in his home tournament of Madrid (2015 final, 2016 semi-final).



Murray at least made an RG final.

Ok, but Hewitt had to face peak Nadal on clay four times at RG, Murray's path was without Nadal, I think this information is huge. I guess this proves that it's so hard to compare different generations.

Because Fed being past his prime since 2010 is a HUGE factor why so many guys have won so much. Having the goat out of the way is huge advantage.

 

[Mainad]

Ok, but Hewitt had to face peak Nadal on clay four times at RG, Murray's path was without Nadal, I think this information is huge. I guess this proves that it's so hard to compare different generations.

Because Fed being past his prime since 2010 is a HUGE factor why so many guys have won so much. Having the goat out of the way is huge advantage.

We can only judge on results. Speculating how Hewitt and Murray would have compared facing peak this or peak that is futile. It's just speculation. In the end, results are all that matter and all that we have to go on IMO.

 

[JackGates]

We can only judge on results. Speculating how Hewitt and Murray would have compared facing peak this or peak that is futile. It's just speculation. In the end, results are all that matter and all that we have to go on IMO.

Not really. When we judge competition, we can also judge level of play on that day. For example, just because Murray is greater on paper, it doesn't mean his is stronger competition for Federer, because when they play, he maybe is not in best form.

 

[Mainad]

Not really. When we judge competition, we can also judge level of play on that day. For example, just because Murray is greater on paper, it doesn't mean his is stronger competition for Federer, because when they play, he maybe is not in best form.

IMO you can't go around judging players' peformances based on what you take to be their opponent's form. If Federer is not on form then he shouldn't be playing. If he enters the court to play then he is fit to play, full stop. Same goes for every other player. Arguing that a player's win is somehow not deserving or not legitimate because his opponent was "not on form" is just ridiculous and unfair to that player and, worse, such opinions are almost always subjective anyway. It's a player's duty to be on form when they take to the court otherwise they shouldn't be there and if they choose to play then they are fit to play. End of.

 

[fundrazer]

Nice highlights. Fed was sublime during that tournament beating Coria (the best CC player that year), ending his winning streak of 31 matches on clay, and Gaudio (the FO winner). He beat Moya as well.

Funny coincidence, because I was actually watching highlights of that match with Coria last night.

 

[Deleted member 756486]

@abmk what’s your YouTube channel name? I’ll drop you a sub.

 

[JackGates]

IMO you can't go around judging players' peformances based on what you take to be their opponent's form. If Federer is not on form then he shouldn't be playing. If he enters the court to play then he is fit to play, full stop. Same goes for every other player. Arguing that a player's win is somehow not deserving or not legitimate because his opponent was "not on form" is just ridiculous and unfair to that player and, worse, such opinions are almost always subjective anyway. It's a player's duty to be on form when they take to the court otherwise they shouldn't be there and if they choose to play then they are fit to play. End of.

Of course, it's subjective, otherwise any debates are useless, if we just accept raw numbers, why even argue, we all know what numbers say.

 

[abmk]

@abmk what’s your YouTube channel name? I’ll drop you a sub.

heh, I linked to the video in my channel above.

http://youtube.com/computeracct

 

[Deleted member 756486]

heh, I linked to the video in my channel above.

http://youtube.com/computeracct

Subbed.

 

[Deleted member 757377]

LOL, Hewitt better than Murray on clay.

RG score:

murray 39-10
hewitt 28-14

clay masters won:

murray 2
hewitt 0 (and no final)

 

[Mustard]

With this level, Fed should have won FO in 2004 itself.

Kuerten rolled back the years to beat Federer in straight sets.

 

[Mustard]

Don't recall Hewitt making any RG finals or winning 2 Clay Masters (beating Nadal in one) so I think it's perfectly safe to say that is a huge crock of ********!

Hewitt beat Kuerten on clay in 3 straight sets, in Florianopolis, Brazil, in 2001 Davis Cup. Kuerten was devastated, as he was playing well.

 

[Mustard]

Hewitt's underrated on clay, had some very good matches and performances - his demolition of Kuerten in 2001 in Davis Cup in Brazil is probably the most impressive win either have had IMO - but Murray was able to string together two very consistent and very good years on clay, Hewitt never really had great back to back performances in tournaments on clay like Murray has.

A great semi final with Nadal at Hamburg in 2007, when Nadal made it 81 wins in a row on clay. Hewitt had some other good clay matches with Nadal, too.

 

[Mainad]

Hewitt beat Kuerten on clay in 3 straight sets, in Florianopolis, Brazil, in 2001 Davis Cup. Kuerten was devastated, as he was playing well.

Hewitt was always at his best during Davis Cup ties, especially against South Americans!

 

[Devin]

Talking about forehands, I always thought Hewitt had a very underrated FH. He was able to place it very well and could bring up the heat once he developed more power. Better than 99% of NextGen forehands IMO. I don't know what you guys think though.

 

[NatF]

A great semi final with Nadal at Hamburg in 2007, when Nadal made it 81 wins in a row on clay. Hewitt had some other good clay matches with Nadal, too.

Yeah that Hamburg match was very high level. He had a couple of great sets against Nadal at the French in 2006 where he found a recipe to cause damage - he carried that on in Hamburg. Recently bought Hewitt's 2004 FO round 1 match against Verkerk, not finished it yet but the first set from Hewitt was absolutely flawless - hail of winners and maybe 1 unforced error max. Definitely underrated on clay.

I have his Davis Cup 2000 win over Costa on my channel too, another great one.

 

[NatF]

Talking about forehands, I always thought Hewitt had a very underrated FH. He was able to place it very well and could bring up the heat once he developed more power. Better than 99% of NextGen forehands IMO. I don't know what you guys think though.

Better forehand than Murray for sure

 

[sav11]

Found it in HD!

Thanks for sharing my video, i hope you like it.
Maybe if you have any requests i can help you.
Have a nice day!

 

[ghostofMecir]

Found it in HD!

Beautiful forehand work from Federer. While it's just slightly behind the level of the 2004 USO final, he was dictating well with the forehand, building the points, hitting winners, etc. When Federer's forehand is like this, few can even hold their ground at the baseline.

@abmk @metsman @NatF (don't know who else to ping after this) You guys may have found this before me, but nobody posted it before and it seems to be unavailable on YouTube, but here it is if you guys are interested.

Also, I found some other highlights for other great matches here: https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/ind...ee-this-type-of-tennis-anymore-part-2.620397/ , but this deserves its own thread IMO. That thread has Wimbledon 2003 final vs. Philippoussis highlights and highlights for Federer's TMC 2003 RR match against Agassi.

Thank you for this. I remember seeing it and then seeing highlights in potato quality.

That movment and early racket preparation and that FH. What a thing of beauty.
The Hamburg flow may have been “slow,”but the wet damp conditions kept that ball from flying up on his BH. The explosion off the clay in his second serve and CCFHs is amazing.

 

[MeatTornado]

We can only judge on results. Speculating how Hewitt and Murray would have compared facing peak this or peak that is futile. It's just speculation. In the end, results are all that matter and all that we have to go on IMO.

So you never thought Murray would have more slams if he didn't play in the Big 4 era?

 

[Mainad]

So you never thought Murray would have more slams if he didn't play in the Big 4 era?

What I think or don't think about hypothetical scenarios like that is irrelevent.

 

[Devin]

I featured some of his videos in the other thread that I linked here.

His channel might go down soon. If you want to save them, now is a good time.