Hewitt points out what made Federer a giant: "He had a target on his back"

Federer and Lleyton Hewitt faced each other up to 27 times. There's no need to tell the Australian what kind of player the Swiss was. Thus, his words when he speaks about this rivalry hold tremendous value.

The former world number one stopped by the Tennis Channel desk to discuss the figure of Roger Federer, a man with whom he shared every step of the way since their junior days. The good fortune is that he not only faced him on the court but was also able to build a friendship with the Swiss off it. Now that we are in a phase of multiple tributes, I invite you to listen to someone who experienced it like few others.

Initially, Hewitt recalls that even at 15 or 16 years old, Federer had “an incredible ability to create shots,” but he was still far from being the player who would end up dominating the circuit. His immense talent coexisted with certain irregularity. One day he could deliver spectacular tennis and the next commit too many errors. In fact, Hewitt acknowledges that during their early encounters, it was he who managed to impose himself more consistently. Until something changed.

According to the Australian, it was around 2003 when all the pieces began to fall into place. Federer had already shown his potential at Wimbledon 2001, when he pushed Pete Sampras to the limit, but a year later, he lost in the first round to Mario Ancic. The definitive transformation would come soon after, coinciding with his first title at Wimbledon.

Hewitt dismisses the misconception everyone has about Roger Federer

For Hewitt, there is an aspect of Federer that doesn't always receive the recognition it deserves, his mental strength. “Sometimes we talk about Novak or Rafa and how mentally strong they are, but we don't associate that enough with Roger,” he explained. And he gave an example that he considers extraordinary: Federer never retired from a match throughout his career. For Hewitt, that fact perfectly summarizes his commitment. Whether playing well, poorly, with physical issues, or under immense pressure, he was always ready to compete.

“He always had a target on his back,” he recalled. And still, he kept stepping onto the court to give himself a chance to win. That mentality, coupled with the variety of shots he had already possessed since his teenage years, ultimately turned his tools into an almost unstoppable arsenal. Hewitt also remembers the turning point that his Davis Cup match in 2003 represented. The Australian defeated Federer after coming back from two sets down, and since then, he lost the next 15 encounters against the Swiss. “It was a big momentum shift,” he admits.

By the mid-2000s, Federer was practically untouchable on any surface. And for Hewitt, his greatness is not explained solely by natural talent. It is explained by having learned to master it, to refine every tool, and above all, to develop extraordinary mental strength. That's why now that Federer has entered the Tennis Hall of Fame, Hewitt does not hesitate: “He has been an incredible role model and ambassador for our sport. He deserves all of this.”

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Hewitt señala lo que hizo gigante a Federer: “Tenía una diana en la espalda”