Federer made 100% of 2nd serve returns today

[smoledman]

Sure he pushed a lot of them, but it's definitely better to put yourself into every point then keep shanking them wide or into the net. You can't win the point if you lose it right away. Surely this creates a new mindset with him to make all the returns and keep improving their quality in 2013.

[RF20Lennon]

yes but if its against Nadal he gets burned!! against Murray and this court it works because the ball stays low but remember in the 2010 and 2011 WTF when he beat Rafa he did it because of aggressive returning he needs to do both

[kishnabe]

Murray just pushes the ball back to Federer backhand. Federer doesn't feel threatned by giving Murray a puff ball.

[Netspirit]

He is used to slice his returns cross-court. That's what he did most of the time until he hired Annacone.

It works well against righties on low-bouncing courts.

[smoledman]

Originally Posted by Netspirit

He is used to slice his returns cross-court. That's what he did most of the time until he hired Annacone.

It works well against righties on low-bouncing courts.

Of course the same return goes straight to Nadal's forehand.

[The Bawss]

Originally Posted by smoledman

Sure he pushed a lot of them, but it's definitely better to put yourself into every point then keep shanking them wide or into the net. You can't win the point if you lose it right away. Surely this creates a new mindset with him to make all the returns and keep improving their quality in 2013.

Murray's second serve is so bad, not surprised Fed can 100% that weak tea.

[joeri888]

He sliced a lot, but was very aggressive with the slice. It's still quite outstanding that he made them all. It's not like the slice is always a safe shot. When you are chip and chargin, you are gonna put something on it, for sure. Plus, he was pretty agressive with the forehand return as well.

[TennisLovaLova]

that's a sick sick stat
but why Federer doesnt simply finish the points on that lame 2nd serve of Murray?
he could crush it most of the time but he doesnt...

[joeri888]

Originally Posted by TennisLovaLova

that's a sick sick stat
but why Federer doesnt simply finish the points on that lame 2nd serve of Murray?
he could crush it most of the time but he doesnt...

Because he usually misses a lot of backhand returns. Plus, he also would play more into Murray's strength. Murray likes the quick rallies. He's faster than Roger, and a higher ball like a topspin backhand would give Murray more of an edge, while with his slice, Roger forced Murray to either slice back, or play the ball a bit higher. In both ways, Roger would have a good chance to attack the second ball.

[Prisoner of Birth]

I really think Federer should be way, way, way more aggressive with his 2nd serve returns. It not only swings the point in your favor (at the expense of a few immediate point-losses of course) but also puts your opponent in a lot of pressure. Federer can be a lot more successful against Nadal and Murray if he attacks their 2nd serve.

[joeri888]

Originally Posted by Prisoner of Birth

I really think Federer should be way, way, way more aggressive with his 2nd serve returns. It not only swings the point in your favor (at the expense of a few immediate point-losses of course) but also puts your opponent in a lot of pressure. Federer can be a lot more successful against Nadal and Murray if he attacks their 2nd serve.

How is chip and charge not an aggressive return?

[Prisoner of Birth]

Originally Posted by joeri888

How is chip and charge not an aggressive return?

"Chip and charge" is not a return, it's a way of play. I'm talking only about his returns. Chipping isn't aggressive in any way.

[joeri888]

Originally Posted by Prisoner of Birth

"Chip and charge" is not a return, it's a way of play. I'm talking only about his returns. Chipping isn't aggressive in any way.

Chipping with the purpose of following it to the net is a very aggressive way to return serve.

[Prisoner of Birth]

Originally Posted by joeri888

Chipping with the purpose of following it to the net is a very aggressive way to return serve.

Okay, that I concede. But how many times did he do that? Thrice? He has to do a lot better. More aggressive returning will also make his chip-and-charges more effective and unpredictable.

[TennisLovaLova]

^^ you're right
didnt see it that way until the replays I just watched
it's very efficient indeed

another thing ESPN commentators were talking about, is Federer stuborness when it comes to how and where he positions himself on the return of serve.
They say he should move away from the baseline and that he has to make the same adjustment Nadal made against him and that somehow was what changer in the way Nadal returned Fed's serve better the following years.
any ideas about this?

[Tafmatch]

Originally Posted by Prisoner of Birth

I really think Federer should be way, way, way more aggressive with his 2nd serve returns. It not only swings the point in your favor (at the expense of a few immediate point-losses of course) but also puts your opponent in a lot of pressure. Federer can be a lot more successful against Nadal and Murray if he attacks their 2nd serve.

Fed doesn't use the same return-strategy every match. I'm quite certain that he would have returned differently against Nadal.
His 'passive' slicereturns did the job against Murray so no need for more risky BH-returns.

[Warmaster]

Originally Posted by TennisLovaLova

^^ you're right
didnt see it that way until the replays I just watched
it's very efficient indeed

another thing ESPN commentators were talking about, is Federer stuborness when it comes to how and where he positions himself on the return of serve.
They say he should move away from the baseline and that he has to make the same adjustment Nadal made against him and that somehow was what changer in the way Nadal returned Fed's serve better the following years.
any ideas about this?

It something that's been annoying me for a while now. He stands really close to the baseline, which can be a good thing, but if you're making around 40% first serve returns, you might want to take a step back.

It's definitely the right thing to do on the second serve though, he doesn't want to get drawn into long baseline rallies too often.

[NLBwell]

Federer is very smart in not going for any more than he has to. If he isn't punished for floating returns back, that's what he should do. It's then up to his opponent to punish them and force Fed to do more with the ball.