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The Lleyton Hewitt Appreciation Thread

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i don't think a lot of tennis fans underestimate just how much influence lleyton has had on the game in the last ten years. he killed of the serve and volley with his grinding from the back court. while i wasn't old enough to comprehend the sampras victory at the 01 us open, it was game changing for tennis
 
For those old enough to remember, who was the favourite going into that USO final? I would've been 11 at the time, so although I can remember some of it, I can't remember those sorts of details. Although looking back at some youtube videos, I didn't realise how easily he rolled over him after the first set. Great stuff.
 
hamohawk1 said:
i don't think a lot of tennis fans underestimate just how much influence lleyton has had on the game in the last ten years. he killed of the serve and volley with his grinding from the back court. while i wasn't old enough to comprehend the sampras victory at the 01 us open, it was game changing for tennis
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No matter what you think of Lleyton, one thing you can never question is is heart. He's a player who had limited skills who busted his balls to get the most out of himself and did. He's barely in the top 20 when it comes to Aussie tennis players in terms of pure talent, but in terms of sheer guts and determination, he's arguably number one.
 

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Never understood the hate for him especially when it comes from people in Australia.

I think it's this weird culture where a lot of Australians don't like arrogance but to be a champion at any sport you need some degree of arrogance or "swag" otherwise you'll get chewed up and spat out.

He's the only reason I ever started watching tennis in the first place. I'd love him to turn back to clock one more time and win a final grand slam.
 
DeadlyAkkuret said:
Never understood the hate for him especially when it comes from people in Australia.

I think it's this weird culture where a lot of Australians don't like arrogance but to be a champion at any sport you need some degree of arrogance or "swag" otherwise you'll get chewed up and spat out.

He's the only reason I ever started watching tennis in the first place. I'd love him to turn back to clock one more time and win a final grand slam.
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He's never been that arrogant anyway. Compared to like a Warne or a McGrath. It's strange, as really he's exactly the sort of sportperson Australia loves.

Absolute champ.
 
MaccaKnowsBest said:
I love this thread! It typically remains dormant most of the time while Lleyton does nothing and then bang, he's a hero again. Keep it up guys :)
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He's always a hero. Even if he does nothing from this point on but eat Doritios in his boxers and masturbates with crumby hands he'll still be a sporting hero.

What have you done?
 

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SJ said:
He's never been that arrogant anyway. Compared to like a Warne or a McGrath. It's strange, as really he's exactly the sort of sportperson Australia loves.

Absolute champ.
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Exactly. He's not arrogant at all, what he is is one of the toughest competitors tennis, and sport in this country, has ever seen.
 
SJ said:
He's never been that arrogant anyway. Compared to like a Warne or a McGrath. It's strange, as really he's exactly the sort of sportperson Australia loves.

Absolute champ.
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I think the old school Australian sportsman will be dead when Lleyton retires. He and Ponting were the last two cut from that cloth (and I guess Mike Hussey should get an honourable mention here too). Both Ponting and Hewitt are very respectful of the history and tradition of cricket and tennis respectively. They were fallible as younger sportsman, ironed out the kinks, and became the #1 in the world at their craft. People pot both for playing on for a couple of years too long, but the reason they did that, is that they were diehards and just loved to get out there and play. Legends.
 
Lleyton - why the flip cant we vote for him this election???

This man has carried Australian tennis for a generation, and now he's carrying the remains of our international sporting credibility.

Would love to see him matched up with the pea-hearts Tomic the Tank or Marinko in a 5 setter. What do you reckon the scoreline would read?

My guess:

Hewitt d Tomic 3-6 6-5 6-2 6-1

Hewitt d Marinko 6-5 6-3 (Marink ret. pebble in shoe)
 

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krisholio14 said:
No matter what you think of Lleyton, one thing you can never question is is heart. He's a player who had limited skills who busted his balls to get the most out of himself and did. He's barely in the top 20 when it comes to Aussie tennis players in terms of pure talent, but in terms of sheer guts and determination, he's arguably number one.
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Not sure I agree, Lleyton is an incredible athlete, you don't get to number one with 'limited skills'.

He was always technically very sound, especially when he's injury free and his feet are moving quickly and he's in position early. While his serve and ground strokes may be inferior to his contemporaries in terms of power he made up for it with court coverage, had one of the best returns in the game and probably the most consistent lob of any player in the past 20 years. Can also volley and is at home on a doubles court.
 
PAFCsince1870 said:
Not sure I agree, Lleyton is an incredible athlete, you don't get to number one with 'limited skills'.

He was always technically very sound, especially when he's injury free and his feet are moving quickly and he's in position early. While his serve and ground strokes may be inferior to his contemporaries in terms of power he made up for it with court coverage, had one of the best returns in the game and probably the most consistent lob of any player in the past 20 years. Can also volley and is at home on a doubles court.
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He also has a world class slice - one of the best counter punchers of all time
 
PAFCsince1870 said:
Not sure I agree, Lleyton is an incredible athlete, you don't get to number one with 'limited skills'.

He was always technically very sound, especially when he's injury free and his feet are moving quickly and he's in position early. While his serve and ground strokes may be inferior to his contemporaries in terms of power he made up for it with court coverage, had one of the best returns in the game and probably the most consistent lob of any player in the past 20 years. Can also volley and is at home on a doubles court.
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Miqar_Baqfhied said:
He also has a world class slice - one of the best counter punchers of all time
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Limited probably wasn't the right choice of word.
 
krisholio14 said:
Limited probably wasn't the right choice of word.
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Limited in that he doesn't have much in terms of flair and power in any of his groundstrokes as compared with a myriad of other players. Well apart from his lob which is a bit of a trademark. As well as an unimpressive serve. Overcomes this by being a great returner, smart shot selection, court speed and grit and determination. The way i've read his decline it's mostly due to his injuries and gaining weight. Will always believe he is probably one of the great overachievers in sport.
 
Even the great Fed is struggling at 32 now...Im just not comfortable with linking the words "Hewitt" with "decline"- given the injuries, age and relatively ridiculous abilities of the top players around him, he has maintained an extremely good level of play and athletism.

Dont think people realise exactly what it takes to be a top 60 tennis player...yet alone at his age in that physical state.
 

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The Lleyton Hewitt Appreciation Thread

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