Federer v. Hewitt, 2015 US Open practice

Roger Federer practices with Lleyton Hewitt at the 2015 US Open tennis tournament

[@Loddentidster]

Each time I come back to this video I'm increasingly reminded how ridiculously perfect Federers technique is. I'm a coach, I see a lot of good club, futures and national level players and NO ONE, I repeat NO ONE is even close to grasping this man's perfect play. I don't think we're going to see a more complete player than Roger Federer in our lifetime.He's like a double eclipse or something, it happens only once or twice in a few thousand years.

[@nvm1636]

Jeez and yet djokovic has a better record against him, and achieved a higher level of play in a calendar year. Before you start getting defensive, I myself think fed is goat from a subjective point of view, but dont get carried away with these over exaggerations please.

[@rintintin7529]

@@nvm1636 I don't think the coach was disputing Djokovic's record against Roger. He was just saying what great technique he has and such an all court game.

[@nvm1636]

@@rintintin7529 he says 'no one and i mean no is close to grasping this mans perfect play'. Pretty sure the djokovic of 2015-mid 16 would have something to say about that.

[@quinn172]

Niggiez he’s talking abt sheer technique not the result of the technique ya know, his technique is perfect, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he is the greatest because there are aspects of tennis other than technique

[@goxaviergo11]

Niggiez yet that’s only for half a year.. and Federer did defeat Djokovic THREE TIMES during 2015.

[@AtticussAtticuss]

Federer playing Hewitt is like wrestling your dad when you get back from college. Like, "That was a lot harder 10 years ago, I kind of feel bad now."

[@gitanodel69]

yet they are the same age

[@AtticussAtticuss]

As they say, "It's not the age, it's the milage."

[@Powderwombat]

It has everything to do with their age. They are athletes, not cars. It's not as if Hewitt hit a certain mileage number and suddenly blew a gasket, lol. The human body is very different to cars, so that saying doesn't hold water. The difference is Hewitt's entire game was based around his unbelievable movement, and as soon as that went due to age and injuries, he fell off a cliff as a player. He has a terrible serve and fairly average groundstrokes. He always has. Federer's game is not based on quick explosive movement so he is able to continue playing at a high level after some of his speed has left him. He has other weapons aside from his movement, unlike Hewitt.

[@steven7846]

exactly right! Hewitt has never had any strenth, big shot or big serve giving him easy point, beside his speed, good physical fitness, consistency and strong mental. Getting older he could not rely on his physical strength anymore and plumetted like a stone. Federer's game is timeless because he can hit ground strokes on both sides forehand and backhand. His forehand is an incredible shot that has made him won many titles. He also has a great serve and he can shorten the points because he's also very good at the net. Globally his game has allowed him to spare himself. That's one of main reason why Federer has never known major injury throughout his career. He got some back issues and surgery of the knee but that happened quite late in his career as opposed to other players.

[@mrbobevans]

@@steven7846 Agree with your analysis. Early in Hewitt's career, he had a great record against the S&Vers and grinders. But both of those styles died out when the power baseline game took over. Hewitt no longer had that target he loved so much, and was simply overpowered against the power players, as evidence in his won/loss records against players like Fernando Gonzalez and Tsonga.

[@seanahmad6856]

Mad respect for Hewitt. 2 or 3 hip surgery's and a big time toe injury. Most players would have given up a long time ago. Hewitt was aussie tough.

[@masoudalexanderroshanfar2588]

Fed has been practicing Hewitt for 14 years!

[@wilf18]

Hewitt was a brilliant player in 1999/2000/2001/2002 - world no 1 and first 9 matches against Federer was 9-2 up. Injury robbed him of his peak abilities. I was there. I remember. When Hewitt was on, Id always back him against anyone. A right little grafter. He might not have the talent Federer has but he used to work hard and chase everything down a bit like Nadal. But injury is part of tennis and Hewitt had more than his fair share

[@jonathanlee5314]

Hewitt is the every man's hero. He's 5'10", I'm 5'9". I remember he was a player I could emulate growing up. Solid technique on all shots, good timing, and above all fight and tenacity. I wish he won more (he deserved to) but tennis rewards natural gifts like some of these larger man have.

[@saz6950]

@@jonathanlee5314 You need a powerful serve and know how to play cat & mouse in your rally.

[@TRASHoftheTITANS]

​@@jonathanlee5314As much as I also admire Hewitt, I have to disagree on "solid technique". He volleyed well and his backhand was fine, but his serve and forehand were definite weaknesses. He got away with it because he had such good timing, but IMO his mechanics aren't worth imitating especially nowadays. People should absolutely take inspiration from his tenacity and determination, however. He was an extremely deserving champion, and great fun to watch back in the day.

[@hellme6324]

People watching Federer practicing are literally more than ATP finals in my own country.

[@dannylin5980]

It’s like watching Federer floating in air and the ball is in slow motion. So goood!!!!

[@angejo5591]

quality of this video is amazing, thanks!

[@JeffCohnTennis]

Awesome video - I was there that day on the far end. If I recall correctly, Hewitt won this practice set

[@paulobrien4143]

such a joy to watch federer

[@alexhe1987]

Great stuff, thank you for uploading it !

[@hinkie07]

NOBODY moves like federer.

[@pierresalle7893]

hinkie07 couldn't agree more, delightful footwork. it's just like he's flying on the court.. a pure joy to watch

[@Danoie67]

ballet

[@aniirudhbhargav]

I completely agree dude! Huge Fed Fan here. But if you say like this, everybody will quote - " Nope, Djokovic is the best mover and has the best footwork in tennis ". I disagree that. 😔

[@hinkie07]

@Damon Wayans Thanks

[@shreypatel9379]

@@aniirudhbhargav Novak has the best footwork, even better than fed. But watching fed seems like he is gliding on the court. Fed has better/smoother movement.

[@GIN.356.A]

And to think at the beginning of their careers, it was the man on the far side of the court that was deemed to be the greatest of the next generation...how times change

[@jeanmur1483]

Poor Lleyton, wow.

[@cavaleer]

Thanks for these uploads! Very helpful.

[@celliluciano8024]

It's really interesting how Roger, despite hitting good and winning the point, sometimes still doing a "shadow" correction after his hits, most of the players just do that when they lose the point.

[@musarra195]

Great editing. Thank you

[@mrbobevans]

After the 2005 Australian Open, Hewitt was never a threat to win another major. Ironically, Safin was never a threat as well after the 2005 AO. Hewitt's issues were injuries and his style being overpowered in the modern game. Safin's issues were injuries and mental. Both guys are legends with 2 grand slams each.

[@ertugrulkorpinar51]

Safin payed the price by beating an nearly unplayable Federer in that tournament

[@mikell.6064]

Fed is approaching 40 and still playing at GOAT level. Who else has done that? Federer is the GOAT GOD

[@SMK27_]

Lleyton completely harmless with no weapons

[@YJ-br7ug]

his main weapons was his speed but that went away as he aged and had couple hip surgeries. Even in 2004-05 when he was playing well, he was no match, once Fed got into his prime

[@SaadonAksah]

awesome!

[@GMiltown]

watching this and you can see why Federer won two 6-0 sets off Hewitt in the 2004 US Open final.

[@chrisclark5304]

exactly there's nothing that hewitte does better than federer. Movement, power serve etc

[@alanchong7513]

chris Clark Hewitt beat Federer in the Brisbane International ATP final a few years ago. I was brave enough to pick the result. Told my mate about my prediction and he just wrote me off. People like to underestimate Hewitt. I never do. He has desire which has won him about 30 ATP tournaments. Not bad is it, guys?

[@alanchong7513]

chris Clark After Federer won his first Wimbledon, he faced Hewitt in a Davis Cup tie. Federer won the 1st two sets. Hewitt won the match. Roger has 'talent to burn." Hewitt not so much. He calls upon his ability "to dig deep."

[@alanchong7513]

I picked Hewitt over Federer after Hewitt knocked out Nishikori in the Brisbane semi. It was a 3 setter played in terrible Brisbane heat. Hewitt was in form. I wasn't going to doubt him. Playing at home; playing Federer; ATP Final. Of course I'm going to pick him.

[@chrisclark5304]

+Alan Chong I forgot about that match. I never would've picked Hewitt over fed but then again Hewitt is still a great player its just that the match will be won or lost o. Feds racquet and not his.

[@TennisConditioningTV]

great stuff - thank you for sharing!

[@edwardmcwilliams8371]

i miss rusty

[@Doty6String]

Insane tennis, both dudes playing hard and letting it rip.

[@cychanel5863]

Wow, What a Balance... Roger... Respect~!!

[@2ndAveScents]

0:48 how does that drop in my gosh

[@hbomb4949]

Ikr WTFFFFF

[@Drizzile2744]

My name is Lleyton

[@bwaters735]

Its hard to believe leyton was ever number 1.

[@juancarlossande1360]

Love you

[@nickweston9650]

Youngest ever number one Vs oldest ever number one.

[@jasonlee595]

that 1:42 inside-out shot is truly deadly....

[@daviddupuis9847]

Jason Lee man he has has thrown an AK47 ball

[@cd2707]

So i shouldn't be using much of my hand strength in my forehand? My forehand looks similar to Fed's, but close to contact, I now naturally use my wrist to generate most of the whip. Yes I point the buttcap towards the ball, but my wrist and grip allow me to whip it better...how can i make it like Fed's?

[@1tracymcgrady]

So this would be a 62 64 61 for federer

[@kattmat2595]

Never realized how flat federer hits. Makes it goes so fast

[@rushrush1209]

Believe it or not, Hewitt is slightly older than Federer. He was better than Federer in 2001-2002. But that quickly changed in 2003 and every year after that.

[@finnegan987]

and Hewitt was a stronger junior, they played multiple times throughout junior Davis cup itf etc. and Hewitt would usually come out on top

[@mkbaharris]

perfect!!

[@EndoftheTownProductions]

Hewitt left so many shots short in the court.

[@wallacegrommet9343]

Must be Rogers laundry day!

[@juanjodiol]

God damn it and the rest of the atp players had to deal with this Federer? For almost 10 years in that insane level? How brutal was that rivalry against Djokovic and Rafa, those 3 weren't humans

[@olavofachini6079]

Which câmera and settings do you usual use?

[@juanariasito6166]

I serve like Roger :)) 1:18

[@YJ-br7ug]

heavyweight vs lightweight

[@grayman735]

Ok so if Boris Becker was in his prime could he be a threat to the GOAT? Or Pete? They al have similar styles...

[@LionelHutz619]

is hewitt sponsored by visual studio in this vid

[@dd-ow6pe]

fed didn't have the black oversize racket yet.. he was never to happy with that red one

[@Ihasfinger911]

97in oversized?

[@dd-ow6pe]

@@Ihasfinger911 vs. his 95 which he loved. federer, sampras, lendl, conners.. all the greats played small heads (even 85in back in the day). only agassi was oversized.

[@jonathanlee5314]

It is perversely satisfying to see Federer wrong-footed at 2:22.

[@sirbrochill7757]

Fed where’s this form in 2020???!

[@TTGamingTrinh]

2020 caught corona, thats why

[@matsnotfat]

That serve at 0:52. Ha! Just another day at the office for Federer

[@Max-yp1iw]

matsnotfat don’t know if it was out or not

[@cormorant_on_arock7934]

I miss Rusty

[@caglartogan6602]

He is the god

[@alessandromachado7570]

Omg Roger kicked Lleyton's ass !

[@ozzyakram441]

to all the criticizers.. hewitt bt federer to win a championship the year before this

[@Pete-fg4sq]

Guter Spieler

[@vuke500]

It looks like a training made by Federal for whom was playing with him.

[@captainzuesss1685]

Without his bandana and matching socks & shoes...Fed would have no super power..lol

[@jaysunzow]

roger was so lean in 2015

[@ertugrulkorpinar51]

At the beginning of 2017 he was in even better shape

[@sarangsowmya9854]

Federer is a hovercraft

[@nathanladd125]

Twinkle toes.

[@user-kc7rw7ze2s]

遊ばれてる過去のキングも

[@pleaseenteraname1103]

Hewitt hits the ball very flat.

[@johnthomas5445]

Hewitt had a great career. One of the all time best competitors. Technology passed him up a la Michael Chang. I was never a huge fan but respected his game. No body ever talks about his racist comments towards James Blake at the Open in 02. They were so blatant and he said he didn't mean anything by it. Give me a break. Blake handled it with such class-of course

[@Bokgat]

Hewitt is a tit on and off court. We know that. Let’s stick to his tennis. That’s crap too

[@mrbobevans]

Sampras said Lleyton was a victim of his time. He benefitted in the era between Sampas and Fed. He loved playing S&Vs and grinders. But S&V faded away by 2002. The game became a power baseline game which worked against Lleyton counterpunching flat strokes. So you are right, Lleyton was one of the players who were hurt by the change in technology. And Fed was definitely one who benefitted from the advancement in technology.

[@kwl189]

mrbobevans tbh even Federer lost out to technology advancement. Federer was a SV at the start of his career and grew up developing his game for it. He’s changed to base line as he got towards the top and the game changed. He’s also lost out to technology improvements meaning that players rarely make as many unforced errors as they used to. Even their mishits land in. That’s just the start and as such its meant that Feds natural talent for shot making has been reduced in its effectiveness.

[@Patientbears]

First

[@EmperorsNewWardrobe]

+WorldTennis24: I'm first!!

[@fabriziodicaro6059]

Wasted

[@MrAndrewChung]

hewitt looks simliar to woodford when he played Goran. Pathetic really.

[@SaadonAksah]

awesome!