asifallasleep
Hall of Fame
They share the same birthday!!
Fed: August 8, 1981
Felix: August 8, 2000
Fed: August 8, 1981
Felix: August 8, 2000
Felix is clearly the heir apparent to Federer because...............
- Thread starter asifallasleep
- Start date
wangs78
Legend
I have to say FAA seems to have a comfort with touch shots and net play that I haven't seen in any young player since...Federer. Every other young player since the early 2000s I have seen has looked lost outside of being a speed demon along the baseline and hitting heavy spinny shots. I've only seen Felix in a couple of matches, so it's a bit earlier to say. Actually, Kyrgios and Tomic also had great touch at a young age, so I guess I have seen it... but only a couple of times in the last 20 years.
HetTheGreaterer
Banned
Fedr
But if Felix wins 20 majors, I think Fed will still be the goat, because Fed faced a lot tougher competition than what Felix is facing today.
weakera
Talk Tennis Guru
When Rafa was 17 he beat Fed easily in Miami and won 14/15 net points while Fed won 8/16.
You'll have to explain how Rafa fails to make the cut for touch shots in young players.
tennis_pro
Bionic Poster
against crapola Fluerer
Because he only went to the net on easy approach shots and just tapped the ball over the net. I can look good at the net if Rafa's forehand is giving me a nice approach shot.
weakera
Talk Tennis Guru
MeatTornado
Talk Tennis Guru
good god, Fed's literally twice his age.
So this means Fed should end up with twice the majors. So around 10 majors for Felix, sounds about right. Math never lies.
No it's true, I was playing doubles with a pro once versus two newbies. All their replies were weak because my guy hit the average shot and so I was almost 100% at the net and my tennis skills suck.
wangs78
Legend
Yes, exactly. Rafa definitely knows when to come into net to finish a point (many players just stay back) when he's pushed his opponent 5 feet past the sideline. I've seen Felix come in on a simple aggressive approach shot and hit a soft drop volley at a sharp angle. Very different from what Rafa does.
Yeah. Ok, if the guy argues that coming in on great approach shots is also part of net skills, then fine. But we aren't talking about that when we talk about touch, I agree with you. With touch we are talking how you control the ball on hard approach shots and also your reaction time.
Nadal_Django
Legend
Wow, I didn't knew this. 30+ Slams for the kid.
Nadalgaenger
G.O.A.T.
Kyrgios and Tsitsipas come to mind in the touch category.
wangs78
Legend
Yes, Tsitsipas too. Thiem is beginning to show skills as well.
byealmeens
Semi-Pro
I think he's very fluid like Roger ... even in his movement. I personally do not care for the serve despite his attempts to improve it. He will need to make strides there in order to win big matches IMO. But I do agree he seems pretty efficient at the net, and transitions pretty well also.
D
Deleted member 763024
Guest
While some of you guys see similarities in the game, I see FAA already has a calm temperament like 2003+ Federer.
TearTheRoofOff
G.O.A.T.
GOATLet's not forget the great CARLOS TABERNER, who was born August 8th 1997.
BeatlesFan
Bionic Poster
In his entire professional career, Rafa has served and volleyed on (literally) about 25 total points in 15 years on tour. Post the net point stats of both in the 2006 Rome final if you wish to make a deduction about their prowess at net.
WhiskeyEE
G.O.A.T.
Tsitsipas doesn't play anything like prime Federer did though.
I agree that AA doesn't play like Fed either. Shapovalov is a lot more similar.
Felix's competition will improve at the same time that Felix improves. They are all young.
To be fair, nobody plays like prime Federer, Federer is one of a kind.
Towser83
G.O.A.T.
wow 19 years apart, Fed turning pro before FAA was born, really want them to meet in the final
Tennis_Hands
Banned
Felix is real.
Rejoice.
Rejoice.
Backspin1183
Talk Tennis Guru
Federer himself has compared FAA with teenage Nadal. I haven't watched FAA much but Roger is extremely good at spotting great talent.
Mark-Touch
Legend
In the pro tennis world, that's like playing your great-great grandfather!!!
If you were to play your great-great grandfather, assuming he still could breathe, who do you think would win?
Mark-Touch
Legend
Felix augurs well for the sport of pro tennis!
weakera
Talk Tennis Guru
Rafa doesn't serve and volley, of course, that doesn't take away from the fact that as a teen he was phenomenally advanced in terms of his touch, volleys and net play and every element of the game.
socalmd123
Professional
Felix has great future but Tsitsipas game to me seems most like Federer. Tsitsipas is pretty smooth/fluid out there. Just not as likable.
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