Yep, Hewitt was "on" in this match, great ball striking and energy. This performance would have beaten almost anyone else at the time, maybe excepting Federer.
Got to admire Hewitt in this match. On paper, he really didn't stand a chance here. But despite clay being his worst surface and coming off of injury, he was actually able to hold his own against Nadal, the claycourt GOAT during his prime!
@@worawatsr9803 He actually was in his prime on clay from 2005 as he grew up on clay. He won the title right from the start so this was a good showing by Hewitt.
The only unbeatable player on any surface, I don’t know how soderling did it but if you understand tennis you can tell how unplayable he is even for pros
With Hewitt's speed one would think he'd fare well on clay but his flat hitting and shorter stature prevented him from having as much control over the shoulder height shots that Nadal was giving him from all of his topspin.
Fez Nadal was shaky in 2006. I think that foot injury at the beginning of the year slowed him down. Federer beat Nadal 6-1 in the first set. And almost took it to a 5th set. But lost a close tiebreaker. Who knows what happens if Federer won that tiebreaker. 2006 was prime Federer.
Hewitt played unreal there, very underrated match
This is bad form Hewitt. It is after his 2005 injury. He didnt ever do the work to recover fully tennistically after 2005 injury.
Yep, Hewitt was "on" in this match, great ball striking and energy. This performance would have beaten almost anyone else at the time, maybe excepting Federer.
@@ronnie3257
Nadal also.
@@alkathorat2859 the guy said "would have beaten almost anyone else" OTHER THAN Rafa. Your reading comprehension is off.
Got to admire Hewitt in this match. On paper, he really didn't stand a chance here. But despite clay being his worst surface and coming off of injury, he was actually able to hold his own against Nadal, the claycourt GOAT during his prime!
Nadal was only 19 years old. He was not in his prime yet
Nadal’ s prime was at least a couple years away.
@@worawatsr9803de tenis no sabes nada, hewitt era un mounstro igual que nadal en esa época
@@worawatsr9803 He actually was in his prime on clay from 2005 as he grew up on clay. He won the title right from the start so this was a good showing by Hewitt.
Hewitt was a threat for heavy hitters during his prime. But his prime was short one. He had that grinding forehand and an effective back hand.
Before Domithicc Thiem, there was Rafael Datass
In clay court nadal he is the best
The only unbeatable player on any surface, I don’t know how soderling did it but if you understand tennis you can tell how unplayable he is even for pros
With Hewitt's speed one would think he'd fare well on clay but his flat hitting and shorter stature prevented him from having as much control over the shoulder height shots that Nadal was giving him from all of his topspin.
Great tennis, they both played well- (too bad the orange surface made it harder to watch the ball).
I lost of count is how many down the line Rafa used in 1set
And commentators it's not Rafiel .it's Rafael..! RA FA YAEL!
Max 7even even that’s wrong.. it’s RA FAY EL
@@WuzzaWombat Dude, his name is Rafael, Rafa if abbreviated
DUKHA wtf are you talking about.. I know how it’s spelt
DUKHA I’m talking about the pronunciation
@@WuzzaWombat Just in case
Nadal was exhausted because of 5 hour match with Mathieu. But still found a way. That was the year that Federer almost beat Nadal.
John Nelson Federer has never come close to beating Nadal at the French open
Fez Nadal was shaky in 2006. I think that foot injury at the beginning of the year slowed him down. Federer beat Nadal 6-1 in the first set. And almost took it to a 5th set. But lost a close tiebreaker. Who knows what happens if Federer won that tiebreaker. 2006 was prime Federer.
@@johnnelson3665 Rafa would have won either way.
@@johnnelson3665 Only reason it got to TB was duo to netcord.
@@johnnelson3665 the 4th set shouldn’t have even went to a tiebreak
Que joyas de partidos dios mio, ya no se ve esto hoy en día
He makes Hewitt look like a college player. Nadal just hits winners at will
This is the Hewitt after injury which was not as good as before.
Well he was great on hard court not so much on clay.
That said, he put on a pretty good effort here. Quite aggressive ballstriking.