Fed vs Rafa 2nd serve

[Milanez82]

Interesting analysis on Atp tour page, though it doesn't really tell why Federer started to win those 2nd serve points after 10 years of struggle.

Is his placement better, more offensive? Has Rafa lost a step on digging out that point after the return?

The Battle Within The Battle: Federer's Second Serve v. Nadal's Return | ATP Tour | Tennis

Infosys ATP Beyond The Numbers looks at how Roger Federer's second serve and Rafael Nadal's return stack up against each other.

www.atptour.com

 

[MeatTornado]

Nadal's entire ground game has declined since 2015, and most 2nd serve points are essentially neutral points. Current Federer with his more solid backhand against a Nadal who doesn't move as well anymore leads to more neutral point rallies going Federer's way. Rafa can't just pound the backhand corner for 3-4 straight shots and expect to win the rally anymore. In the past Fed was just scraping by, chipping them back, trying his best to put them to Nadal's right side and turn the rally around. But those chips would sit up too much and Rafa could run around them all day long, hitting forehand after forehand. Now when Rafa goes backhand side, Fed pounds it back cross-court, exposing Nadal's declined movement to his forehand side. Now Rafa's hitting forehands while moving to his left, leading to worse shots and just like that the rally is in Fed's favor.

 

[BeatlesFan]

Nadal's entire ground game has declined since 2015, and most 2nd serve points are essentially neutral points. Current Federer with his more solid backhand against a Nadal who doesn't move as well anymore leads to more neutral point rallies going Federer's way. Rafa can't just pound the backhand corner for 3-4 straight shots and expect to win the rally anymore. In the past Fed was just scraping by, chipping them back, trying his best to put them to Nadal's right side and turn the rally around. But those chips would sit up too much and Rafa could run around them all day long, hitting forehand after forehand. Now when Rafa goes backhand side, Fed pounds it back cross-court, exposing Nadal's declined movement to his forehand side. Now Rafa's hitting forehands while moving to his left, leading to worse shots and just like that the rally is in Fed's favor.

Excellent analysis. +10!

 

[Gazelle]

Agree with above, the % won on second serve doesn't have a lot to do with the serve itself, which the author (nephew of Lew) seems to insinuate.

More with Fed standing up against the backhand abuse.