8 Minutes of Roger Federer DESTROYING the Ball

[astrahcat]

Imagine a one handed backhand that could beat Sinner or Alcaraz today, that was Swiss tennis back then, both Fed and Wawrinka

[senorgato]

Just goes to show that Federer could smack the ball like anyone else. Frankly, almost anyone can just smack the ball as hard as they can. So many folks think Gonzalez had the greatest forehand because he hit the majority of his forehands as hard as he could. But it didn't lead him to winning against the top players nor did it result in many tournament wins, much less any Grand Slams. Tennis is about strategy and building a point, not just smacking the ball hard. IMO, Federer was probably the best builder of a point to allow him to smack the eventual winner.

[sundown]

That forehand at 4:18 is just the purest. If you play tennis yourself, it sorta clicks in your brain: you already *know* at the end of his preparation, just before he hits the ball that it will detonate... such perfect timing.

[abcxyz]

Nostalgic shots from old and more recent matches! Remember them all like it's yesterday, but time flies:)

[theacechip]

Federer, like most great 1HBH champions, always "went for the lines" . It may be a somewhat low percentage shot, but when hit well, makes it to the history books (and videos). And aesthetically, Fed has been perhaps the best of them all.

[OneHopeHeaven]

Just BEAUTIFUL! Aces it EVERY TIME - down the line or cross-court... right in that back corner with pristine accuracy! I miss Federer - he definitely was the TRUE GOAT!

[Kidgloves]

Fed is the ultimate precision shot maker..

[bukhtiarshah]

Sir Roger federer golden legend in universal love you so much miss you so much teniss history best player ❤❤❤

[rijgrg]

I know everyone remembers Fed in ‘08 Wimbledon but I really loved his performance in ‘08 US Open. Bounced back like a champ.

[軒子-nr]

Have been really wanting to hit forehands like him since I started playing tennis🙏

[tshdBZNWS]

His biggest weapon was precision not the speed of the ball. I’ve never seen any players who could land their balls ON the line like Roger

[plinsf]

If you're watching on a small screen and can't tell right away which one is Federer, just assume it's whoever isn't moaning so ridiculously 🙄🙄

[oceanedetotes]

Imagine you are against a pirate with corsair pant and a bandana and big left arm like a lobster.

[steeltrap]

Watching this, I'd say there's another aspect to Roger's play that made him so beloved, and I'd not be surprised if many who loved his play and him as ambassador of the sport haven't realised it has influenced them.

With the shrieking of female players that became more and more common from Seles onwards (Maria Shriekopova possibly the worst?), and increasingly grunting and groaning male players (while I admire and respect him greatly, Rafa's pretty bad on that front, let's be honest), Roger rarely made much noise other than a "come on" or a phrase or two in Swiss German after winning a point.

Just another way he stood out. In some ways he's a bridge between "old school" all-court playing style and conduct vs the more crude, repetitive baseline slug-fests of the modern era. Novak has been the greatest male player of that modern style so far, predominantly a defensive player vs Roger's aggressive style, and that's how he overcame Roger so effectively. It's entirely possible we won't ever see anyone top his record, regardless of people making silly claims about Sinner and Alcaraz, and I'm sure both of them would also say anyone thinking they deserve to be considered with the "Great Three" is foolish until either of them at least gets to ~15 slams.

Here's the thing, however: not everyone LIKES the modern style, and I think THAT is often at the heart of why many people will always PREFER Roger over Novak regardless of numbers. I DO find it odd and sad that it creates so much heat on the internet, however, given a preference is just that, a personal PREFERENCE, not an objective standard. It's not a logical position away from which someone can be argued, so attempting to do so is as foolish as it is certain to fail.

[srinitaaigaura]

0:43 That was Nadal's own shot.

Grip and follow through aside, their forehands were more similar than different.

[janjr]

One of the MANY reasons that Novak will NEVER, EVER be considered the GOAT. Roger and Rafa have that title on LOCK!!!
💪🏾😃❤️

[ahmedkhan-bilv]

His mental strength let him down on some occasions he suffered some tough losses because of that

[redtesta]

man oh man i miss this guy. Just not the same since he has retired. When nadal and then joker are done, tennis will take a big hit.

[felixy]

that's why they slowing the courts, mostly in major tournaments

[rbilzof]

Watching this, Federer's forehand was way better when he was younger, he changed it alot..