Has Federer's serve weakened, or are the returners just better now?
- Thread starter RalphNYC
- Start date
danielrios
Semi-Pro
The guy is old. Give 'em a break.
ivan_the_terrible
Hall of Fame
I think Fed's getting predictable with his out-wide serve these days. People (especially Djokovic) has been reading it with regularity. I noticed in Shanghai he had much better success going up the 'T'. Lendl used that serve to devastating effect in his heyday.
Also, probably doesn't have much zip on it like the young 'uns. Let's see if he can re-tool in the near future.
Also, probably doesn't have much zip on it like the young 'uns. Let's see if he can re-tool in the near future.
Mr_Shiver
Semi-Pro
Fed isn't exactly a spring chicken. 29 is old for tennis. The other players in the big 4 are between 22 and 24 I believe. I doubt any of them will be the same in 5 or 6 years. Thats a lot of tournaments and wear on the body. Federers longevity is amazing given that it seems like players flame out, get injured and just have their games vanish on a daily basis.
Manus Domini
Hall of Fame
same with Roddick btw, his is not as effective. Due to the age and medical problems.
RoddickAce
Hall of Fame
I think he gets broken not because of his serve weakening, but because of what he does after he serves.
He used to be able to place the ball near the lines consistently, running his opponents around and ending points quickly. Now, his consistency has dropped and he can't place the ball as well as he used to, so he is a bit tentative in his shots (especially in tight situations).
With his weaker and less well-placed shots, his opponents can neutralize the rally and gain an edge over him easier than in the past.
He used to be able to place the ball near the lines consistently, running his opponents around and ending points quickly. Now, his consistency has dropped and he can't place the ball as well as he used to, so he is a bit tentative in his shots (especially in tight situations).
With his weaker and less well-placed shots, his opponents can neutralize the rally and gain an edge over him easier than in the past.
Bud
Bionic Poster
IMO, his serve has improved as he's aged. Many times, it's what now saves his hide in match situations.
RalphNYC
Semi-Pro
Do you think his second serve has improved also? It looks like t-time on his second serve even against qualifiers. Btw, I am watching him now in the Stockholm final and it looks like he's borrowed stan's backhand for the day. Never seen him hit it with as much confidence and power.
It's better in some ways and worse in others.
On a good serving day Federer's first serve is more impressive now than it was in his prime but in his prime it was more reliable. These days it seems that at least once every tournament Federer will have a very off serving day, often costing him victory. I don't remember it ever going off so badly in his best years.
His second serve isn't as good in general as it used to be, I think.
And yeah his backhand looks good today. Hitting some good crosscourt winners and some powerful down the line shots. I've definitely seen more authoritative displays off that wing from Fed though. Especially in 2006, his backhand was great that year.
On a good serving day Federer's first serve is more impressive now than it was in his prime but in his prime it was more reliable. These days it seems that at least once every tournament Federer will have a very off serving day, often costing him victory. I don't remember it ever going off so badly in his best years.
His second serve isn't as good in general as it used to be, I think.
And yeah his backhand looks good today. Hitting some good crosscourt winners and some powerful down the line shots. I've definitely seen more authoritative displays off that wing from Fed though. Especially in 2006, his backhand was great that year.
YodaKnowsBest
Banned
I think the mono is affecting him too...
Wilander Fan
Hall of Fame
His serve is actually better than it was but the rest of the top 4 are amazing returners. Nadal, Djoker and Murray..if you include Federer you have 4 GOAT level returners. Its no wonder there are alot of breaks when these guys play each other. Federer is still the best server among the top 4 but is now the worst of the 4 from the baseline. He seems to be holding back on his forehand after shanking so many easy shots earlier in the year. If he gets his forehand back, he goes back to dominating the others on everything besides Nadal on clay.
jackson vile
G.O.A.T.
Strange that, I seem to remember his serving insane at Wim against Roddick. Well I guess not, we will have to discount that slam then LOL
Roger 15 slams.
Breaker
Legend
4 GOAT level returners..you have to be kidding me.
I suppose Berdych and Soderling fit into this category as well for beating him in slams and not even needing 5 sets..
And Hewitt finally beat him for the first time in 16 on grass, must have improved his return massively from his prime years.
Satch
Hall of Fame
roddick cant do returns
AznHylite
Semi-Pro
You still have to get the serve in relatively well to ace somebody.
jackson vile
G.O.A.T.
I have to agree with that, but the numbers Roger put up were indeed legendary.
doom
Banned
This.
His serve is still great (50 aces in Wimbledon 2009 for example), but the rest of his game is becoming more and more inconsistent and so he is losing pints and then games more frequently. Its his movement imo thats hindering him the most.
WilsonWest
New User
I agree. I think he needs to serve and volley too to keep his errors down too. He just doesn't want to be an attacking player which is weird because he has excellent volleys.
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