S&V and grinding died out around 2003 as a result of the new technology which promoted the power baseline game. Hewitt was not a beneficiary of the new power baseline game. He was great against S&Vers and grinders, but against the power baseline players he became vulnerable. His flat strokes which could inflict damage against a target became null in void as the power game players could hit more consistently with the new racquets and strings. Federer was a big time beneficiary in the change of the pro game.
Hewitt was never a top clay player on the tour. His main accomplishment of clay was beating Kuerten in a Davis Cup match in Brazil. His flat strokes were better suited for hard court and grass.
The level of federer's practice matches looks far lower than other player's practice matches. Take a look at Grigor's, Stan's, Rafa's, Novak's, or any other player's practice match and the effort they put in to win a point. Idk how federer just makes earning a point look so simple!
Good video , shows how much Hewitt game is behind 10 years , he simple hasn't got the power nice player but top people these days hit a lot more harder
lol that's an incorrect assessment. Hewitt's always generated less power on his strokes and hit with less topspin than other tennis pros. You need to watch him live to understand it... but in summary, his talent is about redirecting opponents' pace as well as exceptional placement/control, not hitting hard. To do that, you gotta have exceptional hands and shot selection has to be on the dime every shot. Faster courts also help, so it's no coincidence that his game has declined with the heavier balls and slower courts over the last decade.
