Federer reveals Hewitt's 'unbelievable' meltdown

Roger Federer has opened up on a bizarre Lleyton Hewitt meltdown from when the pair were just 16-year-olds trying to make a name for themselves.

The Swiss maestro, now 37, reflected on one of his first match-ups with the Aussie tennis legend – and it wasn’t pretty.

Federer set the scene at the World Youth Cup that happened over 20 years ago in Zurich.

“We were both 16. Darren Cahill was in his chair, and my chair had another coach, and Peter (Lundgren) actually came to watch that match I think,” Federer said.

“I beat him with match point. I should have never won because we replayed the point and stuff.

“I was already out of the point, and he got so upset he hit his string with his fist.

“He had blood all over his hand.”

During their stellar careers since turning pro, the pair have had some fiery match-ups along the way.

Hewitt only has a 33% win record against Federer, claiming nine wins from the 27 times they’ve battled it out.

But Federer assured listeners the Hewitt he met back then, and their relationship, is in a much calmer place now.

“He put it on the backboard and it was like unbelievable,” Federer said.

“So this is how our first match started.

“We’ve cooled down since, but it was funny.”

The 20-time Grand Slam champion also touched on their playing history, sharing an insight into when they played doubles together.

“We were supposed to play at Australian Open together in ’98 in juniors, but then he won Adelaide and I won the Victoria junior tournament,” Federer said.

“So he was actually right away in the main draw of the men’s and he skipped the juniors.”

Despite the missed opportunity, Hewitt and Federer eventually teamed up in 1999 to contest the doubles at Wimbledon.

“But still later on we did play in Wimbledon together. We actually won a couple matches and lost to Rafter and Bjorkman,” Federer said.

“We’ve known each other for a while.”