Federer racquet smash revisited

Kralingen said:

Funny how that looks in hindsight. He went on to complete his Career Slam at Roland Garros in May and then break Pete's Slam record at Wimbledon the same year. I think the pressure of chasing the Slam record really got to him during this period.

I've rewatched the match highlights a few weeks ago. Federer was playing like sh*t in what I think were windy conditions. Missing a lot of easy shots, so it's not like this one miss caused him to do it, was more of a build up across the match. Djokovic was obviously playing well, but it just wasn't working for Roger that day.

In many ways it was a buildup of the entirety of 2008/2009, losing the AO final, Wimbledon, WTF 2008, and generally not dealing with the pressure of chasing the Grand Slam record gracefully.

Anyways I actually enjoy this Federer moment quite a lot. He actually showed emotions on court and was not just a polished media personality. Humanity > Spokesmen.

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Kralingen said:

Funny how that looks in hindsight. He went on to complete his Career Slam at Roland Garros in May and then break Pete's Slam record at Wimbledon the same year. I think the pressure of chasing the Slam record really got to him during this period.

I've rewatched the match highlights a few weeks ago. Federer was playing like sh*t in what I think were windy conditions. Missing a lot of easy shots, so it's not like this one miss caused him to do it, was more of a build up across the match. Djokovic was obviously playing well, but it just wasn't working for Roger that day.

In many ways it was a buildup of the entirety of 2008/2009, losing the AO final, Wimbledon, WTF 2008, and generally not dealing with the pressure of chasing the Grand Slam record gracefully.

Anyways I actually enjoy this Federer moment quite a lot. He actually showed emotions on court and was not just a polished media personality. Humanity > Spokesmen.

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ttwreader said:

Maestro's level of racquet smash. One shot one kill.

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TearTheRoofOff said:

Smashed it like a boss, too.

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ForehandCross said:

The technique is absolutely perfect though, his hands leave the racquet before it strikes the ground. No shock to wrist or elbow risked.
One smash and the racquet is done. He may not be GOAT of tennis anymore but he should look into GOAThood in Breaking racquets.

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Kralingen said:

That’s what I like the best here. Immediately breaks it, no second smash, no tantrum, no yelling at the linesmen or gesturing, just breaks the racket and goes to get a new one. Not to sound like Rolex here but it’s as elegant as a racquet smash gets lol

What I don’t like is when players smash rackets after their opponent hits a winner or wins a game. I feel that’s disrespectful openly, or if you throw a tantrum and yell while doing so. If you just hit an error then it’s more understandable.

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Spencer Gore said:

He was definitely no Borg. The petulance was always bubbling just under the surface.

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Spencer Gore said:

From "undisputed GOAT" to "most elegant racquet smasher".

It's like a Shakespearean tragedy.

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ForehandCross said:

Soderling Saved his career probably. Another loss to Rafael at RG would have killed him. And mentally he would be fried for WB .


Soderling ensured Peter's record gets broken. He ensured Federer goes on to win more and set a huge target for Nadal and Djokovic, which led them to transcend tennis boundaries.


In short Soderling GOAT.

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