Andy Roddick and Lleyton Hewitt met 14 times on the ATP Tour.
When Roddick retired in 2012, he did so with a 7-7 record against Hewitt.
However, the American had real issues beating the two-time Grand Slam champion during the early stages of their rivalry.
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Roddick lost six of their first seven matches.
But why did he struggle so much against Hewitt?
During the latest episode of ‘Served with Andy Roddick‘, he answered that question.
Lleyton Hewitt’s backhand was the ‘most annoying thing’ Andy Roddick ever played against
“[Lleyton] Hewitt’s backhand was like one of the best backhands of all time because it wasn’t one which created winners; it wasn’t flashy. It was not like a [Marat] Safin. He never missed a cross-court backhand. He could return off of that side. You could not get through it,” said Roddick.
“His ball flight was also a superpower. You would have to attack him from below your waist all the time, and you could not attack him on the backhand side.
“The bird’s eye view would not tell a story of Lleyton Hewitt. His forehand had a bit of elevation, and when he attacked, he would flatten it out. It wasn’t fast, but it would grind through the court.
“But Lleyton would literally stay cross and low until you proved you could break it. You would not beat him cross.
“You had to hit a chip line or reverse it somehow.
Andy Roddick and Lleyton Hewitt’s head-to-head record (7-7)
| Match | Winner | Loser | Score |
| 2012 Australian Open – 2R | Lleyton Hewitt | Andy Roddick | 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, (RET) |
| 2011 Memphis – QF | Andy Roddick | Lleyton Hewitt | 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 |
| 2009 Wimbledon – QF | Andy Roddick | Lleyton Hewitt | 6-3, 6-7, 7-6, 4-6, 6-4 |
| 2009 Queen’s – 3R | Andy Roddick | Lleyton Hewitt | 7-6, 7-6 |
| 2009 Memphis – SF | Andy Roddick | Lleyton Hewitt | 2-6, 7-6, 6-4 |
| 2006 US Open – QF | Andy Roddick | Lleyton Hewitt | 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 |
| 2005 Cincinnati Open – SF | Andy Roddick | Lleyton Hewitt | 6-4, 7-6 |
| 2005 Indian Wells – SF | Lleyton Hewitt | Andy Roddick | 7-6, 6-7, 7-6 |
| 2005 Australian Open – SF | Lleyton Hewitt | Andy Roddick | 3-6, 7-6, 7-6, 6-1 |
| 2004 ATP Finals – SF | Lleyton Hewitt | Andy Roddick | 6-3, 6-2 |
| 2004 Queen’s – SF | Andy Roddick | Lleyton Hewitt | 7-6, 6-3 |
| 2001 US Open – QF | Lleyton Hewitt | Andy Roddick | 6-7, 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 |
| 2001 French Open – 3R | Lleyton Hewitt | Andy Roddick | 6-7, 6-4, 2-2 (RET) |
| 2001 Miami Open – QF | Lleyton Hewitt | Andy Roddick | 6-3, 6-2 |
“But his ball flight on his stock backhand was the most annoying thing I had ever seen in my entire career.
“It wasn’t a skill like what Roger [Federer] had, where you are overawed.
“You were not saying this guy is way, way better than me.
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“He was the best at the basics of the game and knowing what ball flight people can attack and what they can’t, that I have ever seen.”
Hewitt’s mastery of the basics led him to two Grand Slam titles and the world number one ranking…
Comparing Lleyton Hewitt and Andy Roddick’s career achievements
Roddick and Hewitt were inseparable in their head-to-head, but who achieved more success on tour?
| Stats | Lleyton Hewitt | Andy Roddick |
| Grand Slams | 2 | 1 |
| Weeks at number 1 | 80 | 13 |
| Masters 1000s | 2 | 5 |
| ATP titles | 30 | 32 |
| Top-10 wins | 65 | 37 |
| ATP Finals wins | 2 | 0 |
| Davis Cup wins | 2 | 1 |
The Aussie leads most categories, including Grand Slam wins, weeks at number one and top-10 wins.
He also has two Davis Cup titles to Roddick’s one, and won the ATP Finals twice, while the American failed to lift the year-end championship trophy.
On the other hand, Roddick won more ATP and Masters 1000 titles than Hewitt.
The American picked up five titles at the Masters 1000 level.
Andy Roddick’s Masters 1000 wins
- 2003 Canadian Open
- 2003 Cincinnati Open
- 2004 Miami Open
- 2006 Cincinnati Open
- 2010 Miami Open
Hewitt only won two.
Lleyton Hewitt’s Masters 1000 wins
- 2002 Indian Wells
- 2003 Indian Wells
Despite Roddick’s success at the Masters 1000 tournaments, it’s fair to say Hewitt enjoyed the better career overall.
Their days of competing are over, though, and they can now sit back and reflect on their rivalry.
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