Interesting tweet from Jon Wertheim, Sports Illustrated's tennis guy. Federer was on the practice courts earlier today, preparing for his quarterfinal match against Gilles Simon--the same Gilles Simon that took Fed the distance in a five set heart-stopper at the Australian Open. Apparently he was wearing a t-shirt that reads "out train the game."
His choice of attire is compelling because out training the game is never really something Federer has had to do before. Oh, he's worked hard his entire career, to be sure. But from 2004 to 2007 he was on another planet, located in a different solar system. His t-shirts should have read "out wizard the game." Now, with the combination of advanced age, and other players responding to the gauntlet he spent three years throwing down, Fed must adopt a different motto.
In the past, the sheer, ungodly pace of Federer's forehand could be counted on to bail him out of most jams; now he's finding that he can't hit through opponents like he used to. In particular, Novak Djokovic seems to be exploiting this point to large measures of success. With his absurd defense, Djokovic can force Roger to hit the equivalent of three or four winners in order to win a point outright--an important distinction not accounted for in the post-match statistics.
Federer's style--flat, fast groundstrokes and aggressive all court play--is one of high risk and high reward. And in some ways, prolonging each point as much as possible is a key to success against the Swiss Maestro. If you force him to go for broke multiple times per point, you have shifted the odds of him making an error greatly in your favor.
This must be emotionally draining on Federer as much as it is physically. Imagine hitting a museum worthy inside-out forehand, only to have it returned down the line with interest. These situations lend themselves to a sort of "what do I have to do to beat this guy?" attitude that is without question an adjustment for Federer on hard courts.
So, it's a good motto for him. One he'll have to make a part of him if he's going to win another major anytime soon. As an admitted Fedophile, here's hoping.
Federer's style--flat, fast groundstrokes and aggressive all court play--is one of high risk and high reward. And in some ways, prolonging each point as much as possible is a key to success against the Swiss Maestro. If you force him to go for broke multiple times per point, you have shifted the odds of him making an error greatly in your favor.
This must be emotionally draining on Federer as much as it is physically. Imagine hitting a museum worthy inside-out forehand, only to have it returned down the line with interest. These situations lend themselves to a sort of "what do I have to do to beat this guy?" attitude that is without question an adjustment for Federer on hard courts.
So, it's a good motto for him. One he'll have to make a part of him if he's going to win another major anytime soon. As an admitted Fedophile, here's hoping.
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