Hewitt is the greatest competitor in tennis history

[Gonzalito17]

People say Hewitt was Nadal before Nadal came along. I disagree. Hewitt was more intense than Nadal, more vicious of a ruthless competitor. The key difference was that Nadal is so much more physical and stronger than Hewitt. If Nadal was Hewitt’s size exactly, I have no doubt Hewitt would have cleaned his clock on any surface. And Nadal would not nearly have achieved the remarkable success he has. Pound for pound I say Hewitt was better than Rafa. But Hewitt at his peak was a welterweight, Nadal has been a HWT since he was fifteen. I rank Hewitt as the greatest fiercest feistiest competitor in the history of tennis, bar none (Nadal Pancho Roddick Connors Serena included).

 

[eliars]

Hold your horses. Nadal is what? 2 inches taller than Hewitt? Besides tennis is not boxing, it's not like Nadal automatically has some sort of advantage over Hewitt because his biceps is larger or because he weighs 15 pounds more.

Hewitt is indeed a great competitor, one of the finest in the sport, but I still havn't seen anyone as great as Nadal. Somebody who can match his intensity, stamina, endurance mental equilibrium and mental toughness on court.

 

[Deleted member 307496]

Hold your horses. Nadal is what? 2 inches taller than Hewitt? Besides tennis is not boxing, it's not like Nadal automatically has some sort of advantage over Hewitt because his biceps is larger or because he weighs 15 pounds more.

Hewitt is indeed a great competitor, one of the finest in the sport, but I still havn't seen anyone as great as Nadal. Somebody who can match his intensity, stamina, endurance mental equilibrium and mental toughness on court.

Hewitt's whole career has been based around mental toughness, especially his wins against Federer. People forget how hard he pushed himself in matches against him, save maybe 2004-2008. His 2003 Davis Cup win against prime Federer is forgotten time and time again. Nadal wins against Federer a lot, but everyone has to remember he is also one of the greatest to ever play the sport. Hewitt is not, and yet he has squeezed every single ounce of energy out of himself to become the player he is.

 

[Gonzalito17]

Hewitt's whole career has been based around mental toughness, especially his wins against Federer. People forget how hard he pushed himself in matches against him, save maybe 2004-2008. His 2003 Davis Cup win against prime Federer is forgotten time and time again. Nadal wins against Federer a lot, but everyone has to remember he is also one of the greatest to ever play the sport. Hewitt is not, and yet he has squeezed every single ounce of energy out of himself to become the player he is.

There it is.

 

[eliars]

Hewitt's whole career has been based around mental toughness, especially his wins against Federer. People forget how hard he pushed himself in matches against him, save maybe 2004-2008. His 2003 Davis Cup win against prime Federer is forgotten time and time again. Nadal wins against Federer a lot, but everyone has to remember he is also one of the greatest to ever play the sport. Hewitt is not, and yet he has squeezed every single ounce of energy out of himself to become the player he is.

What makes Nadal one of the greatest in the sport, as you allude to, is because of his incomparable competitive spirit. While Nadal arguably tennis wise has bigger weapons than Hewitt it's not like Nadal's game has been more suited to play on grass/HC especially early in his career compared to Hewitt. The relatively quicker courts of 2000-04 actually suited Hewitt's counter punching style a lot imo.

The way you feel about Hewitt is the same way I have felt about Nadal. I can name you a lot of matches in which his opponent have played better than him, but where he's still managed to come through. That's the quality people often talk about that Nadal has. He doesn't kick himself when he's having a bad day. He still finds a way through, which is solely down to his mental and competitive spirit.

USO 11 and AO 12 come to mind. I havn't seen someone fight as hard against someone playing better tennis, but still managing to keep it so close almost earning a win in one of those through pure heart, will power and fight.

 

[happyloman]

What makes Nadal one of the greatest in the sport, as you allude to, is because of his incomparable competitive spirit. While Nadal arguably tennis wise has bigger weapons than Hewitt it's not like Nadal's game has been more suited to play on grass/HC especially early in his career compared to Hewitt. The relatively quicker courts of 2000-04 actually suited Hewitt's counter punching style a lot imo.

The way you feel about Hewitt is the same way I have felt about Nadal. I can name you a lot of matches in which his opponent have played better than him, but where he's still managed to come through. That's the quality people often talk about that Nadal has. He doesn't kick himself when he's having a bad day. He still finds a way through, which is solely down to his mental and competitive spirit.

USO 11 and AO 12 come to mind. I havn't seen someone fight as hard against someone playing better tennis, but still managing to keep it so close almost earning a win in one of those through pure heart, will power and fight.

Yup. Novak was clearly better in those matches but nadal fought. He is the anti-tomic.

 

[Deleted member 307496]

What makes Nadal one of the greatest in the sport, as you allude to, is because of his incomparable competitive spirit. While Nadal arguably tennis wise has bigger weapons than Hewitt it's not like Nadal's game has been more suited to play on grass/HC especially early in his career compared to Hewitt. The relatively quicker courts of 2000-04 actually suited Hewitt's counter punching style a lot imo.

The way you feel about Hewitt is the same way I have felt about Nadal. I can name you a lot of matches in which his opponent have played better than him, but where he's still managed to come through. That's the quality people often talk about that Nadal has. He doesn't kick himself when he's having a bad day. He still finds a way through, which is solely down to his mental and competitive spirit.

USO 11 and AO 12 come to mind. I havn't seen someone fight as hard against someone playing better tennis, but still managing to keep it so close almost earning a win in one of those through pure heart, will power and fight.

And Hewitt did well during this time period. I believe he made 4 quarters, 2 semis, a final and 2 wins. Nadal has a much bigger forehand, can generate a lot more pace and is as strong mentally as Hewitt, maybe a bit less. Hewitt also has a small bodyframe, is injury prone and has an attackable serve. Nadal is stronger in all of these areas and it adds up.

 

[Bartelby]

We'll hear from him in January and at Wimbledon and that's about it.

 

[Jack the Hack]

Hewitt, the greatest competitor? Let's just say "one of the greatest" of all time... but save us the hyperbole from him winning a 250 level tournament out of the blue today.

I agree with others that Nadal is a beast, and probably the best of the past 5-10 years, including Hewitt.

However, for the "all time" comparison, I'd vote for Jimmy Connors. Wikipedia claims Connors is 5'10", but that is BS. I'm 5'10" and I met him in person about 15 years ago. The top of his head only came up to about eye level on me, so I'd guess he's really about 5'7" and weighed around 145 lbs. Yet, he won 8 slams, 110 total ATP singles titles, and 16 doubles titles. He also made the US Open semifinals at age 39. In 1974, he won 3 out of the 4 slams, and was barred from playing the French that year (where he would have been the heavy favorite), equalling the 3 slams in one year feats of Wilander, Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic. Given his physical size and relatively weak serve, it's amazing what he accomplished... much of it from being mentally tougher and a superior competitor than some of the greatest players in history who were in their primes when he played (McEnroe, Borg, Vilas, Lendl, etc.).

 

[eliars]

And Hewitt did well during this time period. I believe he made 4 quarters, 2 semis, a final and 2 wins. Nadal has a much bigger forehand, can generate a lot more pace and is as strong mentally as Hewitt, maybe a bit less. Hewitt also has a small bodyframe, is injury prone and has an attackable serve. Nadal is stronger in all of these areas and it adds up.

Having a larger or smaller bodyframe doesn't have anything to do with your competitiveness. Actually neither does having a big forehand or not. This talk of competitiveness has a connotation of 'who fights the most on court'. I can't put Hewitt over Nadal in this category, even though he's definitely up there.

Remember it took Nadal a lot of time to get good on HC. I still recall him standing 20 feet behind the baseline chasing down every shot and playing a completely detrimental HC game where his loopy shots were nullified. In a lot of those matches he still managed to scrape through, even despite applying such horrible court positioning, shot selection and having 'an attackable serve' to say the least. I don't feel Hewitt was ever that guy swimming against the current, that Nadal was.

 

[eliars]

Hewitt, the greatest competitor? Let's just say "one of the greatest" of all time... but save us the hyperbole from him winning a 250 level tournament out of the blue today.

I agree with others that Nadal is a beast, and probably the best of the past 5-10 years, including Hewitt.

However, for the "all time" comparison, I'd vote for Jimmy Connors. Wikipedia claims Connors is 5'10", but that is BS. I'm 5'10" and I met him in person about 15 years ago. The top of his head only came up to about eye level on me, so I'd guess he's really about 5'7" and weighed around 145 lbs. Yet, he won 8 slams, 110 total ATP singles titles, and 16 doubles titles. He also made the US Open semifinals at age 39. In 1974, he won 3 out of the 4 slams, and was barred from playing the French that year (where he would have been the heavy favorite), equalling the 3 slams in one year feats of Wilander, Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic. Given his physical size and relatively weak serve, it's amazing what he accomplished... much of it from being mentally tougher and a superior competitor than some of the greatest players in history who were in their primes when he played (McEnroe, Borg, Vilas, Lendl, etc.).

Before my time. But yeah Connors should definitely be considered also.

 

[Fifth Set]

Wow, first title in years and the forum nuts are painting Rusty as the best thing since Grigor.

Hewitt wasn't even the best competitor in his era, let alone tennis history.

He is a good fighter but also very talented, fast and athletic. Guys like Chang, Gilbert and even Connors, who made so much from less, did so because they were better competitors.

 

[helloworld]

In tennis, heavyweight means having bigger weapon. Nadal has much bigger weapons than Hewitt, which is like being a heavyweight in boxing. On the mentality side, I think they are on par with each other.

 

[eliars]

In tennis, heavyweight means having bigger weapon. Nadal has much bigger weapons than Hewitt, which is like being a heavyweight in boxing. On the mentality side, I think they are on par with each other.

Having bigger weapons doesn't automatically give you an advantage. Tennis is about winning points. Having a big weapon doesn't equate winning the most points. That's the reason why Isner, Gulbis and Rosol doesn't dominate tennis.

Big weapons combined with a strong mind is a good combo. But you still need to be able to hit more winners than unforced errors.

 

[BrooklynNY]

Hewitt's whole career has been based around mental toughness, especially his wins against Federer. People forget how hard he pushed himself in matches against him, save maybe 2004-2008. His 2003 Davis Cup win against prime Federer is forgotten time and time again. Nadal wins against Federer a lot, but everyone has to remember he is also one of the greatest to ever play the sport. Hewitt is not, and yet he has squeezed every single ounce of energy out of himself to become the player he is.

This is absolutely true.

but the fact that Nadal is one of the greatest of all time, and also has a competitive spirit equal to, if not better than Hewitt, is what is amazing about Nadal.

But anyway, Hewitt's win yesterday was huge and I'm super happy for him - It must have been an awesome feeling beating Federer, a guy people try to compare to Laver, infront of Laver, in Australia. What a win

 

[helloworld]

Having bigger weapons doesn't automatically give you an advantage. Tennis is about winning points. Having a big weapon doesn't equate winning the most points. That's the reason why Isner, Gulbis and Rosol doesn't dominate tennis.

Big weapons combined with a strong mind is a good combo. But you still need to be able to hit more winners than unforced errors.

Same in boxing. Being heavyweight does not mean you automatically win. You need to have skills, accuracy and great footwork to be a great fighter. The difference is boxing has a clear rule for weight division, while tennis does not. Still, we cannot deny the fact that having bigger weapons is a clear advantage in tennis.

 

[The-Champ]

This is what one of the greatest competitors had to say about this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2L1--HK2Bs

http://youtu.be/siN7k1XYUl8?t=53s


Connors and Emerson on Nadal: http://youtu.be/SXhFsI1h3XE?t=49s

 

[newpball]

I rank Hewitt as the greatest fiercest feistiest competitor in the history of tennis, bar none (Nadal Pancho Roddick Connors Serena included).

I think that says more about your tennis knowledge than it says anything about Hewitt.

 

[yemenmocha]

yeah when my guy wins against someone trying out a new racquet in a tournament that means nothing, I make sure to start a new thread about how good my guy is.

Too bad the foot fault judge wasn't black, because then we could have seen some real fireworks like we saw in the past.

 

[Forehand Of Doom]

Aboard everybody! Jump on Ye Olde Hewitt Bandwagon.

 

[SamBruin7]

I've boxed competitively before and still coach young kids and your analogy would make better sense by saying that in a boxing match, Nadal has more weapons. Since tennis doesn't have weight classes, you can't say he is the heavyweight in a match against a welterweight. But some fighters have more weapons like a KO left hook or a dangerous straight right, etc. Nadal would be considered a power puncher who keeps applying the pressure whereas someone like Hewitt would have to rely on speed, defense, counterpunching. But I agree that Hewitt is an awesome competitor and one of the greatest. I remember back in the early 90's when he was hated by everyone around the world for the way he disrespected James Blake in that infamous match but he never let it get to him. And he's had so many setbacks due to injuries that would've made most players retire long ago but he keeps coming back.

 

[Deleted member 307496]

I've boxed competitively before and still coach young kids and your analogy would make better sense by saying that in a boxing match, Nadal has more weapons. Since tennis doesn't have weight classes, you can't say he is the heavyweight in a match against a welterweight. But some fighters have more weapons like a KO left hook or a dangerous straight right, etc. Nadal would be considered a power puncher who keeps applying the pressure whereas someone like Hewitt would have to rely on speed, defense, counterpunching. But I agree that Hewitt is an awesome competitor and one of the greatest. I remember back in the early 90's when he was hated by everyone around the world for the way he disrespected James Blake in that infamous match but he never let it get to him. And he's had so many setbacks due to injuries that would've made most players retire long ago but he keeps coming back.

The match happened in 2001.

 

[SamBruin7]

The match happened in 2001.

Oh is that right? Now that I think about it, Hewitt was still hated since the early 90's because other players didn't like his "come-on!" and the way he acts on the court.

 

[Sid_Vicious]

Hewitt doesn't deserve that title. Nadal or Connors are much more worthy than Hewitt. Hewitt's "fighting spirit" is exaggerated beyond belief by many people. It's easy for people to make excuses for the enormous butt whoopings Hewitt has recieved in his career by casually saying "he was underpowered or lacked power". That is nonsense. A lot of those beatdowns were all around pathetic performances by Hewitt where he looked like he had lost the match in the lockerroom. I remember Federer vs Hewitt, back in 2004-2006, felt like a Nadal vs Ferrer match on clay. Everyone used roll their eyes and say "here we go again with his matchup".

 

[Deleted member 307496]

Hewitt doesn't deserve that title. Nadal or Connors are much more worthy than Hewitt. Hewitt's "fighting spirit" is exaggerated beyond belief by many people. It's easy for people to make excuses for the enormous butt whoopings Hewitt has recieved in his career by casually saying "he was underpowered or lacked power". That is nonsense. A lot of those beatdowns were all around pathetic performances by Hewitt where he looked like he had lost the match in the lockerroom. I remember Federer vs Hewitt, back in 2004-2006, felt like a Nadal vs Ferrer match on clay. Everyone used roll their eyes and say "here we go again with his matchup".

Mental toughness doesn't win you every match, especially against someone like Roger Federer. Unlike Nadal, who is a much better player than Hewitt and he didn't rely on his power like Nadal. Connors I would agree is probably more mentally tough than both though, and by some margin Djokovic and even Murray are underrated mentally, although they aren't the mentally toughest of all time.

 

[cjs]

Yup. Novak was clearly better in those matches but nadal fought. He is the anti-tomic.

Nice desc.

 

[Sid_Vicious]

Mental toughness doesn't win you every match, especially against someone like Roger Federer. Unlike Nadal, who is a much better player than Hewitt and he didn't rely on his power like Nadal. Connors I would agree is probably more mentally tough than both though, and by some margin Djokovic and even Murray are underrated mentally, although they aren't the mentally toughest of all time.

Yes, and mental toughness also doesn't cause you to dump double faults, get broken at love multiple times like Hewitt did all those times he played Federer back in 2004-2006. Hewitt never had the game to beat Federer but it was blatantly obvious to see that he was intimidated.

Nadal simply has a lot more mental strength and game than Hewitt does. And Nadal didn't always have the power. Back in 2005 when he reached number 2, the whole year he was grinding opponents down.

 

[Deleted member 307496]

Yes, and mental toughness also doesn't cause you to dump double faults, get broken at love multiple times like Hewitt did all those times he played Federer back in 2004-2006. Hewitt never had the game to beat Federer but it was blatantly obvious to see that he was intimidated.

Nadal simply has a lot more mental strength and game than Hewitt does. And Nadal didn't always have the power. Back in 2005 when he reached number 2, the whole year he was grinding opponents down.

Hewitt has always had a subpar serve and Federer was fantastic at wiping away baseliners who lacked power on the court.

Nadal had quite a bit of power even in 2005. He could belt a forehand down the line nearly as well then as he can now.

 

[Deleted member 307496]

And anybody, not named Nadal, was intimidated by Federer from 2004-2007, except maybe Djokovic.

 

[Deleted member 307496]

There have also been instances where Nadal broke down mentally against Federer. Miami 2005 is a good example.

 

[Sid_Vicious]

Hewitt has always had a subpar serve and Federer was fantastic at wiping away baseliners who lacked power on the court.

Nadal had quite a bit of power even in 2005. He could belt a forehand down the line nearly as well then as he can now.

Please. Even lower ranked grinders didn't look as helpless as Hewitt did in some of those snoozefests in 2004-2005.

Bolded part.disagree. When Nadal played Hewitt at the 2005 AO, it looked like Hewitt was the baseline attacker. Hewitt smacked over a dozen more winners than Nadal did in that match. The times have changed. Nadal's game has become 20 times more deadly, but he was and still is capable of grinding out matches on mental strength alone. Just look at the US Open final this year. Djokovic looked like he was running away with the match, Nadal just made life as difficult for him as possible drew some of the costliest unforced errors of Djokovic's career.

 

[Sid_Vicious]

There have also been instances where Nadal broke down mentally against Federer. Miami 2005 is a good example.

Nadal had absolutely no gas left in the tank. That is not a great example. Nadal has had mental breakdowns in matches, in doubt, but he is a way tougher customer than Hewitt ever was in big matches.

 

[Cesc Fabregas]

Nadal is way clutcher than Hewitt.

 

[Sid_Vicious]

Nadal is way clutcher than Hewitt.

Yeah, I think people oversimplify his matches against Federer. They claim it was just a talent barrier Hewitt couldn't overcome and his mental game can't be judged by those matches. Well, the stats tell a different story.

Check this out, Hewitt's BP conversion against Federer in some of these big matches from 2004-2005.

AO 2004: 1/7 (14%)
WIM 2004: 1/11 (9%)
USO 2004: 1/6 (16%)
TMC 2004 (RR): 0/3 (0%)
IW 2005: 1/7 (14%)
USO 2005: 3/13 (23%)

 

[rossi46]

Greatest ???

It has to be Connors considering his height.

Then Wilander is another one who would never go away.

 

[Deleted member 307496]

Nadal had absolutely no gas left in the tank. That is not a great example. Nadal has had mental breakdowns in matches, in doubt, but he is a way tougher customer than Hewitt ever was in big matches.

I suppose Wimbledon 2007 is a bad example too?

 

[MichaelNadal]

King Rafa takes this title. Love Rusty though I hope he plays at least another year.

 

[Deleted member 307496]

Please. Even lower ranked grinders didn't look as helpless as Hewitt did in some of those snoozefests in 2004-2005.

Bolded part.disagree. When Nadal played Hewitt at the 2005 AO, it looked like Hewitt was the baseline attacker. Hewitt smacked over a dozen more winners than Nadal did in that match. The times have changed. Nadal's game has become 20 times more deadly, but he was and still is capable of grinding out matches on mental strength alone. Just look at the US Open final this year. Djokovic looked like he was running away with the match, Nadal just made life as difficult for him as possible drew some of the costliest unforced errors of Djokovic's career.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CvCxCnOC7Q This is exactly what I am talking about. Nadal did not lack power, even in 2004.

The lower ranked grinders also had less at stake. They know they have nothing to lose and try their best. Hewitt has to maintain a level of consistency and at times, like all players, he could not perform that way against Federer, mainly because his strokes were so powerful and needle like that they were hard to return. Those average rank grinders probably found Federer on a day when he either was not as good or they played their heart out because the result didn't matter.

 

[Egoista]

I wonder where those folks are who always complained that Hewitt was generally part of a weak era and that fed had it easy....

well a remnant from that era is still kicking a.. and taking names ......

 

[Blocker]

I would rank Hewitt, Nadal and Connors on par as far as competitive qualities go. They are the street fighters of tennis. Anyone who tries to place any one above the other is merely splitting hairs. Obviously Nadal has the bigger weapons but as far as heart and the size of the fight in the dog are concerned, they are pretty much equal.

 

[adil1972]

hewitt was from dark ages, thats why i didnt know that

Hewitt is the greatest competitor in tennis history

ROFL

that a tennis joke i heard in a while any more depth tennis analysis

 

[The Harkleroad]

Please. Even lower ranked grinders didn't look as helpless as Hewitt did in some of those snoozefests in 2004-2005.

2004 was really bad for Hewitt. He got bageled by Federer in 4 consecutive matches including 2 at the US Open. 5 bagels in 13 sets!

 

[Minion]

pity hewitt needs a pom-pom squad just to get him court:-? probably employs them too.

 

[Mustard]

Hewitt's matches against Federer at the 2004 Australian Open, 2004 Wimbledon, 2005 Indian Wells and 2005 US Open were certainly not "snoozefests".

 

[kiki]

Hewitt is certainly the most succesful moonballer ever

 

[NatF]

Hewitt is certainly the most succesful moonballer ever

I'm sure Bob Hewitt wasn't a moonballer.

 

[kiki]

I'm sure Bob Hewitt wasn't a moonballer.

No, but he certainly had a brilliant lob

You learn to lob great if you play as many major doubles finals...

 

[McEnroeisanartist]

Federer from 2004-2007 was the greatest competitor in tennis history.

Imagine the competitive spirit in that man over four years to go 315-24 (92.92%).

His refusal to not give up and fight for his wins was remarkable.

 

[Sid_Vicious]

I suppose Wimbledon 2007 is a bad example too?

Well, Federer started hitting aces and winners in that fifth set. Definitely his clutchest performance in a GS final, but yeah I can see Nadal mentally folding on some crucial points.

A great example of Nadal folding would be the blunder he made in the 2012 AO final.

 

[Sid_Vicious]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CvCxCnOC7Q This is exactly what I am talking about. Nadal did not lack power, even in 2004.

The lower ranked grinders also had less at stake. They know they have nothing to lose and try their best. Hewitt has to maintain a level of consistency and at times, like all players, he could not perform that way against Federer, mainly because his strokes were so powerful and needle like that they were hard to return. Those average rank grinders probably found Federer on a day when he either was not as good or they played their heart out because the result didn't matter.

Hah! More excuses for Hewitt and his dismal performances against Federer. Hewitt just got crushed and he showed no heart in a lot of those matches. The guy is a tough competitor but he is nothing next Nadal or Connors.

And Nadal was just swinging for the fences in that 2004 match. You are completely off the mark if you think that is how Nadal played all the time . His baseline game on HC was lacking in power and that was the reason why guys like blake, berdych, and muller were blowing him off the court.