Federer needs to learn a thing or two...

[bladepdb]

...from Wawrinka's backhand.

Watching the match last night between Wawrinka and Nadal, Stan had some solid backhands. He didn't try to overdo anything, and he did just enough to keep the ball in play yet deep enough to push Nadal.

I would argue that the Wawrinka backhand's consistency is probably in the top 3 for one-handers, up there with Gasquet and Kohlschreiber. Not saying Wawrinka's backhand is a weapon; it definitely is a great aspect of his game though since he is able to keep the ball in play till he can set up a forehand or charge into the net.

 

[samster]

Wawrinka's backhand didn't look too hot against Roddick at the Davis Cup a few weeks ago, though...

 

[T1000]

if fed had wawrikna's backhand from last nite he would beat rafa almost everytime

 

[norbac]

I'm guessing you haven't watched a lot of Wawrinka matches cause his backhand IS a weapon.

 

[bladepdb]

Wawrinka's backhand didn't look too hot against Roddick at the Davis Cup a few weeks ago, though...

Well everyone has their days and their days when they aren't at 100%. But on average, Wawrinka's backhand is tremendously consistent and exactly what Federer needs against Nadal.

(For that matter if Fed has Gasquet's backhand it would be another story; but let's be realistic...barely anyone has Gasquet's backhand, but Wawrinka's is a little more realistic to achieve).

 

[bladepdb]

if fed had wawrikna's backhand from last nite he would beat rafa almost everytime

Except on clay still

I'm guessing you haven't watched a lot of Wawrinka matches cause his backhand IS a weapon.

I haven't...I was comparing it to Gasquet's though lol which is a huge leap in comparisons.

 

[T1000]

Except on clay still




I haven't...I was comparing it to Gasquet's though lol which is a huge leap in comparisons.

it would definetly be more interesting and closer on clay. at FO, no chance. anyother clay courts he's got a good shot

 

[federerdomination]

Well everyone has their days and their days when they aren't at 100%. But on average, Wawrinka's backhand is tremendously consistent and exactly what Federer needs against Nadal.

(For that matter if Fed has Gasquet's backhand it would be another story; but let's be realistic...barely anyone has Gasquet's backhand, but Wawrinka's is a little more realistic to achieve).

Fed + Gasquet BH would crush anybody on tour

 

[ferocious4hand]

what if Stan had Fed's 4hand? possible GOAT?

 

[GameSampras]

Dont u know?

Fed said, "he doesnt work on weaknesses."

 

[federerdomination]

what if Stan had Fed's 4hand? possible GOAT?

maybe maybe not

He might not have the mental strength

 

[okdude1992]

yea his backhand is very good. second to only gasquet in terms of one handers. his serve was also very good last night

 

[okdude1992]

if fed had wawrikna's backhand from last nite he would beat rafa almost everytime

probably, but if nadal had lopez' serve he would beat fed even with wawrinka's bh

 

[Deleted member 25923]

Wawrinka's backhand is a weapon. But his forehand killed him last night. Way too many errors.

Does Wawrinka use an extreme grip on the bh?

 

[bladepdb]

what if Stan had Fed's 4hand? possible GOAT?

Not GOAT by any means but definitely a potential slam or two because of his great serve.

Dont u know?

Fed said, "he doesnt work on weaknesses."

That's his biggest weakness, so that makes sense...

Wawrinka's backhand is a weapon. But his forehand killed him last night. Way too many errors.

Does Wawrinka use an extreme grip on the bh?

It seems that way to me. He does generate a good amount of topspin off of it to keep the ball deep yet in play. I guess it's somewhere between eastern bh and extreme eastern bh, which would fit in easily with his semi-western-to-western fh grip.

 

[mandy01]

maybe its the grip that makes the difference.

 

[Josherer]

Waw's backhand was good against Nadal but in general it is a liability for him. He normally makes way too many errors with it. He played the match of his life against Nadal, so it appeared to be awesome even though on average it really isn't that flash.

(BTW im not comparing it to Feds. at the moment Feds is letting him down.)

 

[Melissa]

Quote:
Originally Posted by GameSampras View Post
Dont u know?

Fed said, "he doesnt work on weaknesses."


bladepdb's response:

"That's his biggest weakness, so makes sense...

Most insightful Fed comment ever!

 

[Josherer]

Quote:
Originally Posted by GameSampras View Post
Dont u know?

Fed said, "he doesnt work on weaknesses."


bladepdb's response:

"That's his biggest weakness, so makes sense...

Most insightful Fed comment ever!

Can you show a link to where Federer supposedly said that. Would be interesting if true.

 

[Melissa]

Can you show a link to where Federer supposedly said that. Would be interesting if true.

Actually it was gamesampras' post and quote.

But I will TRY.

 

[Tennis_Bum]

Fed + Gasquet BH would crush anybody on tour

Pure speculation. Gasquet's topspin bh is excellent but Fed has more variety. Fed's just has a problem with Nadal's forehand to his backhand but not against anyone else. I am hoping he finds a solution but I am skeptical.

 

[Josherer]

Actually it was gamesampras' post and quote.

But I will TRY.

Thanks mate.

Still not that credible of a site. Whole interview would be nice. They could have easily have taken that out of context in order to make a catching headline.

 

[bladepdb]

Quote:
Originally Posted by GameSampras View Post
Dont u know?

Fed said, "he doesnt work on weaknesses."


bladepdb's response:

"That's his biggest weakness, so makes sense...

Most insightful Fed comment ever!

Haha thanks, I was going more for an humor effect yet I guess irony is a form of humor so...

Anyway glad you dug up the source. It's quite interesting that he would claim something like that....

 

[emerckx53]

Fed still has the best variety of shots off of the backhand side in tennis...and as far as I can tell there is nothing wrong with Feds game other than a little lack in confidence...if he gets it all back he will slam again

 

[Tennis_Bum]

Fed still has the best variety of shots off of the backhand side in tennis...and as far as I can tell there is nothing wrong with Feds game other than a little lack in confidence...if he gets it all back he will slam again

Let's hope so. But I think he has to back up the confidence thing with concrete results, like wins at masters over tough opponents, like Djoko, Nadal, and Murray, not necessarily in any order. Confidence only comes from winning tough matches, but erodes quickly with losses.

 

[JediMindTrick]

Wawrinka's backhand didn't look too hot against Roddick at the Davis Cup a few weeks ago, though...

That's true, it comes and goes.

 

[fastdunn]

Dont u know?

Fed said, "he doesnt work on weaknesses."

Back in around 2005, Robert Landsdorp pointed out that Federer's backhand has a bit too much whip than the drive. Back then, nobody questioned Federer's stroke mechanism and Landsdope's comment was largely ignored.

The thing is that Federer's backhand worked fine for 99% of his opponent up until 2007 (exceot Nadal). It must be hard to call it an "weakness" in that situation.

Even now, if he solves Nadal, everything will be back to normal for Federer. So my guess is that he doesn't think his backhand is a serious problem He probably consider it as part of his balanced game...

 

[clayrules]

Or three!!! Wawrinka's backhand is so much better than Federer's.

 

[tenniko]

From my memories, Federer is utilizing his backhand slice less and hitting topspin backhand more. I think it works against Federer, because back when Federer dominated, he would keep hitting deep bh slices crosscourt and short ones down the line for superior defense, and use the forehand to get the job done. Nowadays he is hitting topspin bh more, and it is not that great of a shot so people like murray and djoko get to exploit it.

 

[tahiti]

Federer needs to learn how to lose and admit that he has things to work on. Denying it is not teaching him anything.