Just going to copy my MTF thread here:
Like many people, I didn't like Hewitt at the beginning of his career but always respected him. It didn't help that my first memory of Lleyton was actually live against Haas at the 2001 Australian Open. I was only 13 at at the time, but I distinctly remember palming my face as I watched Haas give up a 5-0 and 5-1 lead in the first two sets. Looking back at it now, that was the quintessential Rusty that I would watch regularly for the next 15 years. Little did I know that his "COME ON"s every 2 seconds would end up being as iconic as Ivanovic's ajdes.
Living in Australia, I've watched my fair share of Hewitt epics. There was the 2001 US Open final where he dismantled Sampras for his maiden grand slam. I knew I was watching something special when a GOAT contender was passed/lobbed constantly in his own backyard by an opponent in his first slam final. He followed that up by beating an extremely green Nalbandian in the Wimbledon final one year later. Who could forget John Newcombe's "come on mate" during the commentary like it was a Davis Cup tie. Wimbledon should have started paying him for his constant lawn mowing. When it comes to losses, it's hard to go past the 2005 AO final against peak Safin, a match up that always produced a scintillating contrast in styles. Unfortunately for Lleyton, no one would deny Marat the trophy that year. For all his grand slam exploits, he always saved his most heroic performances while representing his country. There is one particular match that has always stood in my mind. Straight setting Guga Kuerten in an away tie on clay has to be one of the most extraordinary results I've ever seen. The manner in which he won was perhaps even more impressive than the scoreline. Hewitt dominated one of the best power clay courters of all time with his forehand. Read this sentence to yourself again - "Hewitt beat Kuerten in straight sets in Brazil, on clay, by hitting 20+ forehand winners". Even Guga had his head in his hands afterwards, seemingly in disbelief. He never hit his forehand like that again, and it's a stark contrast to the powderpuff balls he produces these days. It's no surprise that Hewitt leaves the sport with one of the best Davis Cup records ever.
In a way, I'm relieved and happy to see that he is finally bowing out. As someone who vividly remembers his years as world number one, it's been painful watching this shadow of himself struggle for the best part of a decade. It's a shame that there would be people that have watched Hewitt for 5+ years and mostly witnessed an underpowered grinder who's way past his peak and regressed so far mentally. Despite being a perennial choker in his latter years, the one thing he has never lost is his fighting spirit. There's something heart warming about watching someone fight so hard for every match, even if he inevitably ends up losing more often than not. To this day he has a skillset and understanding of the game that few modern players possess, and his sheer intensity was rivalled only by peak Nadal. It's fitting that in his last match ever, he still managed to fit in some umpire bashing one last time. I'm definitely going to miss seeing Hewitt and his gaudy outfits after watching him for over a decade, but time catches up with everyone and no doubt Haas will follow very soon.
See ya mate, thanks for beating Thomas so many times.
