The birth of the great Federer

smoledman · 11-27-2012, 11:04 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_dgH...eature=related

No doubt people point to this match as THE one where the dominant "might Fed" legend begins.

joeri888 · 11-27-2012, 11:27 PM

Such different player from today. That Federer hit winners from 5 feet behind the baseline without painting the lines. Strokes were so much harder. He compensates with mental strength, tactic skills and a beter serve, but still.. Wow

smoledman · 11-27-2012, 11:29 PM

His trunk rotation was insane back then.

The Bawss · 11-27-2012, 11:35 PM

His game was too sick. Everything was there. But you can still count on some people to claim the Federer of now is better than peak Federer.

Candide · 11-27-2012, 11:52 PM

Poetry in motion. He uses much more variation now as well in order to draw errors whereas at that point he was a man in a hurry it seemed. Ruthless and unrelenting and powerful. What we have now is a guy who was so far ahead of the field that he can still dominate with what is essentially his B game.

kOaMaster · 11-27-2012, 11:58 PM

wow, the pace on his backhand, amazing. hardly ever saw federer hitting so many backhand winners and hitting the backhand so hard.

although I saw all those matches live back in 2003, I couldn't remember how it looked. great video quality too.

sbengte · 11-28-2012, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Bawss

His game was too sick. Everything was there. But you can still count on some people to claim the Federer of now is better than peak Federer.

Those people weren't born in 2003 , so you can't blame them, can you ?

Crisp · 11-28-2012, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeri888

Such different player from today. That Federer hit winners from 5 feet behind the baseline without painting the lines. Strokes were so much harder. He compensates with mental strength, tactic skills and a beter serve, but still.. Wow

Don't forget that the courts were much faster then also. Has to come into it.

Rozroz · 11-28-2012, 12:58 AM

and people say that Fed is better TODAY... yea, right.

Bobby Jr · 11-28-2012, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crisp

Don't forget that the courts were much faster then also. Has to come into it.

Ha ha... completely. 75% of the winners in that video wouldn't be close to winners nowdays.

The very first point is a perfect example - that forehand winner Federer hit wouldn't be a winner against any top player now - for many it wouldn't even be a struggle to get to - it isn't even beyond the doubles line when it crosses the baseline. The speed of that court flatters both of them massively in terms of the amount of winners hit.

That said, Federer was a winner hitting machine in his prime (2003 was pre-prime really in terms of hit playing ability). You just can't play like that anymore on the vast majority of courts.

Sabratha · 11-28-2012, 02:03 AM

Beautiful ball striking from Federer.

TheNatural · 11-28-2012, 04:55 AM

Agassi's movement in this match at 33 was not pretty.He was moving like a 60 year old, the round robin 3 setter that Fed won in the 3rd set breaker must have taken everything out of the old man.

Razoredge · 11-28-2012, 04:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rozroz

and people say that Fed is better TODAY... yea, right.

LOL

Put prime Federer on a fast hard court with prime Djokovic and watch as Djokovic gets his *** kicked.

Rozroz · 11-28-2012, 05:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Razoredge

LOL

Put prime Federer on a fast hard court with prime Djokovic and watch as Djokovic gets his *** kicked.

question is, if we put bloomer Fed on today's slowest court, how would he manage.

Mike Sams · 11-28-2012, 06:09 AM

Nalbandian was giving Federer major fits at this time.

Mainad · 11-28-2012, 08:18 AM

When I read the thread title, I thought at first we were going to be treated to some hospital video footage taken by Roger's dad just over 31 years ago!

2003 was Roger's break-out year. First Slam (Wimbledon) rounded off at year end with his first Masters Cup title and he had yet to hit his prime!

IMO he looks remarkably similar to the way he is today except for his more youthful, fresh-faced appearance and the greasy hair pulled back into a pony-tail. Even his post-match comments sound remarkably familiar!

Towser83 · 11-28-2012, 08:18 AM

great video, never actually saw this match when it happened.

joeri888 · 11-28-2012, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rozroz

question is, if we put bloomer Fed on today's slowest court, how would he manage.

He might get a little frustrated, but his strokes still were a lot harder and more consistent then they are today.

Alchemy-Z · 11-28-2012, 08:48 AM

Man I miss Agassi crushing the ball

Gonzo_style · 11-28-2012, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Razoredge

LOL

Put prime Federer on a fast hard court with prime Djokovic and watch as Djokovic gets his *** kicked.

You are a true expert.

11-27-2012, 11:04 PM	#1
smoledman Hall Of Fame Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 2,718	The birth of the great Federer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_dgH...eature=related No doubt people point to this match as THE one where the dominant "might Fed" legend begins.

11-27-2012, 11:52 PM	#5
Candide Rookie Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Melbourne Posts: 294	Poetry in motion. He uses much more variation now as well in order to draw errors whereas at that point he was a man in a hurry it seemed. Ruthless and unrelenting and powerful. What we have now is a guy who was so far ahead of the field that he can still dominate with what is essentially his B game. __________________ “There is no best. There is just the discussion of who is best. Federer, he will always be in the first part of such a discussion.” Rino Tommasi

11-27-2012, 11:58 PM	#6
kOaMaster Hall Of Fame Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Basel/Switzerland Posts: 1,678	wow, the pace on his backhand, amazing. hardly ever saw federer hitting so many backhand winners and hitting the backhand so hard. although I saw all those matches live back in 2003, I couldn't remember how it looked. great video quality too. __________________ eurotrip - 10'000km in 21 days through 28 cities http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oESDvZEVG1E

11-28-2012, 04:55 AM	#12
TheNatural Legend Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 6,595	Agassi's movement in this match at 33 was not pretty.He was moving like a 60 year old, the round robin 3 setter that Fed won in the 3rd set breaker must have taken everything out of the old man. __________________ Federer: "I’m mesmerised by his game, and a little star-struck, too"." I loved Pete’s game, his perfect serve and how he came to net"17.6.2011

11-28-2012, 08:18 AM	#16
Mainad Hall Of Fame Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 4,811	When I read the thread title, I thought at first we were going to be treated to some hospital video footage taken by Roger's dad just over 31 years ago! 2003 was Roger's break-out year. First Slam (Wimbledon) rounded off at year end with his first Masters Cup title and he had yet to hit his prime! IMO he looks remarkably similar to the way he is today except for his more youthful, fresh-faced appearance and the greasy hair pulled back into a pony-tail. Even his post-match comments sound remarkably familiar! __________________ “Other than when Andy lost to Novak in 2011 he has always played the No.1 player in the world in the finals, those are difficult to win." (I. Lendl). Last edited by Mainad : 11-28-2012 at 08:21 AM.