Robert Federer was the first person to tell Federer to drive his backhand more

guanzishou

G.O.A.T.
Robert and Lynnette Federer are established tennis players themselves. Kudos for them for producing one the best champions that tennis has ever witnessed
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FEDERER'S BACKHAND WAS LIT IN INDIAN WELLS WIN OVER NADAL

MAR 16, 2017

by Nina Pantic


Roger Federer was on fire on Wednesday night in the desert, flying through his 36th meeting with Rafael Nadal, 6-2, 6-3 in just 68 minutes.

The Swiss’ signature one-handed backhand was most noticeably lit as he repeatedly stepped and ripped massive winners on some pretty key moments—like break point and match point.

“They are important to keep your opponent off guard…” Federer told Tennis Channel. “That’s what you need sometimes. I’ve very pleased. Geez.”

Federer's father Robert was pleased as well, telling his son, "Great match. Great backhands," right after the win.

"He's the first to tell me, 'Hit the backhand, dammnit. Don't just fall back and slice all the time,'" Federer said.


The 35-year-old has started a new Indian Wells tradition with his golf-cart ride selfies:

Ki24uj7mI.jpg


But more importantly, he seems to have started a new tradition of toppling his biggest rival:

Ki0E4nzPq.jpg


Odds are fans will see more of this when Federer returns to the court on Friday for the quarterfinals:

3e953a6198244210a1b83e04f17d4229.gif


The four-time BNP Paribas Open champion will face Nick Kyrgios after the Australian knocked out Novak Djokovic (for the second time this year).

source
 

Mainad

Bionic Poster
But more importantly, he seems to have started a new tradition of toppling his biggest rival:

Ki0E4nzPq.jpg

Lol...if I didn't know any better, I might guess from those pics that it was Rafa who had won. He looks like he is patting Roger consolingly in the stomach in a curiously similar way to when he actually did win one of their matches! ;)
 

Tennisanity

Legend
Yeah when you think about, Rafa has really taken advantage of Federer when he was not at his best. Because even when Fed is not his best he claws through the draw to play Rafa. Conversely, if Rafa is not at his best, he gets taken out by a nobody or is taking an extended break in Mallorca effectively avoiding Fed.
 

Bender

G.O.A.T.
Yeah when you think about, Rafa has really taken advantage of Federer when he was not at his best. Because even when Fed is not his best he claws through the draw to play Rafa. Conversely, if Rafa is not at his best, he gets taken out by a nobody or is taking an extended break in Mallorca effectively avoiding Fed.
I don't think it's deliberate on Rafa's part, otherwise he'd still have a winning H2H against Djokovic.
 

NGM

Hall of Fame
I don't think it's deliberate on Rafa's part, otherwise he'd still have a winning H2H against Djokovic.

Nadal and Djokovic share the same strength. They are good on clay and slow hard court, worse on faster ones. That is why they always draw each other.
 

zagor

Bionic Poster
I feel sad for Rafa because I strongly believe that much of these victories is related to Rafa declining more than anything. Just my opinion.

So? Nadal feasted on Fed 5 times in that 2013-2014 stretch when Nadal was zoning (the only year in which he won Cadan-Cincy-USO, something few players ever managed) and Fed was in horrid form and experimenting with racquet change (going back and forth between bigger headsize black prototypes and k90).

Not to mention the sheer conviction and dedication it takes to reinvent one's game and adopt such a different playing style in twilight years (contrary to popular belief, Fed wasn't a low % fast court specialist in his best days) which allowed Fed to still contend for big titles not just do well against Nadal.
 
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ChrisRF

Legend
Lol...if I didn't know any better, I might guess from those pics that it was Rafa who had won. He looks like he is patting Roger consolingly in the stomach in a curiously similar way to when he actually did win one of their matches! ;)

But Rafa’s face tells the correct story, at least in Australia. :D

By the way, Federer also often did the stomach touch after losses to congratulate Rafa. I remember it from Rome 2006 and was surprised how generous Roger was back then after such a nightmare outcome for him in this legendary 5-hour-battle.
 

TheMusicLover

G.O.A.T.
Well that quite indicates how stubborn Feds is, LOL!
I do wish he had listened a bit earlier, perhaps a decade or so. I'm so happy he finally ditched those lame-a s s slice returns.

I believe Robert also told him and Mirka: if you gonna have kids, have twins, dammit, not just one at a time.
Runs in the family, dads told the same thing to Roger's sister... :D
 

Easy Rider

Professional
Yeah when you think about, Rafa has really taken advantage of Federer when he was not at his best. Because even when Fed is not his best he claws through the draw to play Rafa. Conversely, if Rafa is not at his best, he gets taken out by a nobody or is taking an extended break in Mallorca effectively avoiding Fed.

exactly my thoughts ! Well said.
 

Easy Rider

Professional
I don't think it's deliberate on Rafa's part, otherwise he'd still have a winning H2H against Djokovic.

hes not deliberately avoiding Federer, just avoiding to lose from nobodys = doesnt get to play Fed when hes not in pick form
 

Mainad

Bionic Poster
The good ol' Dad advice. That's why you listen when your Dad says something.

All that money he's been paying to Annacone, Edberg and now Ljubicic over the years and all he ever had to do was listen to his dad's advice to hit his backhand... dammit! He must be feeling sick to the stomach!! :eek::p
 

Rhino

Legend
Yeah when you think about, Rafa has really taken advantage of Federer when he was not at his best. Because even when Fed is not his best he claws through the draw to play Rafa. Conversely, if Rafa is not at his best, he gets taken out by a nobody or is taking an extended break in Mallorca effectively avoiding Fed.

I've often thought this. There have been periods where Nadals form was very poor (for example the entire 2nd half of 2009) and he never played Federer at all during that time. In fact Nadal lost all 3 of his WTF matches that year and Federer would have thumped him easily, but they didn't play.

When there reverse happens, like in 2013 when Federer's form dipped way down (due to back problems and the racquet switch), he play Nadal FOUR times! He even made the final of the Rome Masters, only to meet Nadal. Federer gets burned in the head 2 head for making it too far during his slump!
 

sbengte

G.O.A.T.
I've often thought this. There have been periods where Nadals form was very poor (for example the entire 2nd half of 2009) and he never played Federer at all during that time. In fact Nadal lost all 3 of his WTF matches that year and Federer would have thumped him easily, but they didn't play.

When there reverse happens, like in 2013 when Federer's form dipped way down (due to back problems and the racquet switch), he play Nadal FOUR times! He even made the final of the Rome Masters, only to meet Nadal. Federer gets burned in the head 2 head for making it too far during his slump!

Yep, have noticed this myself.
 
F

Fedfan34

Guest

Some things can only be taught by corporal punishment. Rogi was scarred, got the message, learned the lesson, and we're all happier for it.

#ToughlovefromtheBenevolentSwissCount
 
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