Better service GAME: Federer 06 or 12?

[joeri888]

2006:
Aces: 6.7 per match
1st serve %: 63%
1st serve points won: 77%
2nd serve points won: 59%
Break points saved: 70%
Service games won: 90%

2012:
Aces: 8.3 per match
1st serve %: 63%
1st serve points won: 78%
2nd serve points won: 60%
Break points saved: 70%
Service games won: 91%

If anything, Roger's SERVICE game has improved compared to the field, over the year. It mostly stayed the same though.

These stats actually suggest that Roger's service game is stronger than it ever was. This may be due to smarter serving (more outwide in the deuce court) as well as better net play and experience. His service game revival made me wonder. Who'd you rather play a service game for your life: 2006 Federer or 2012 Federer? on the return, it's quite obvious, but on serve, I think it's pretty tough.

 

[tennis_pro]

I'd go with 2012. 2006 was more clutch but 2012 better overall.

Fed's return game in 2006 was >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> compared to 2012, though and that made the difference.

 

[joeri888]

I'd go with 2012. 2006 was more clutch but 2012 better overall.

Fed's return game in 2006 was >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> compared to 2012, though and that made the difference.

The second part goes without saying

 

[kishnabe]

07 when he started to Improve his Serve. 2011 till Present....he relied on it more.

Serve and Backhand has improved while he uses his forehand less now.

 

[BigServer1]

The serve from 2007-now I'd take.

The ground game from 2004-2006...Yes please.

 

[Devilito]

Federer's serve was better in 2001 with the PS85 than it is now.

 

[Homeboy Hotel]

From 2008-early 2010, Federer's serve was getting stamped on. Biggest slam losses came down to serving in 2009/2010. USO09/AO09 springs to mind.

Then came Paul Annacone, post-Wimbledon 2010, he stamped his authority and made RF realise that serving is everything. Spin, speed, but most of all, PLACEMENT.

Just gotta see how Federer AO 2010 vs Federer USO 2010 (under Annacone) to see the variation in serves he was now hitting.

The reason Fed's still getting so far in slams and back to no.1 is down to his serving. Serve well, weak return from opponent, sets up the sort of finish Federer likes in a rally.

 

[illkhiboy]

07 when he started to Improve his Serve. 2011 till Present....he relied on it more.

Serve and Backhand has improved while he uses his forehand less now.

I don't know about that.

His serve has always been great. I do think it was more clutch this Wimbledon than in the last few events, or even last Wimbledon for that matter.

But I think the clutchness on serve depends on his confidence to a large degree, too. He was insanely clutch against Benneteau on both first and second serves.

In his prime though, I remember several times when Federer pulled off a Pete and came back from 0-40 down with several service winners/aces. His serve looked very much like Sampras' against Agassi way back in 2005. So I don't think he's improved his serve as such, though as someone pointed out he's probably more adept at using the wide one on the deuce court.

 

[fps]

Sooooo the stats show over 7 matches, not against the same opponents, in two 2 random years a fair distance apart, pretty much identical. Great.

 

[joeri888]

Sooooo the stats show over 7 matches, not against the same opponents, in two 2 random years a fair distance apart, pretty much identical. Great.

Not 7 matches. 97 in 2006, 52 in 2012