Technically, what is it that keeps up in the game long after he is physically wrecked?
The defensive slices? The drop shots?
There were a lot of loopy shots againt Coric today, like I've rarely seen him play.
He's a significantly better player than Coric, even at his current age. The better question would be 'how did Coric get so close to putting Federer away'? And the answer is largely down to physical exhaustion on Fed's part
Because he’s literally good or great at everything on the tennis court. It’s the same reason why he’s so difficult to thoroughly defeat.
He was outplayed today. This is the most he’s ever been outplayed and still won a match. Evens up a little for all the matches in which HE was the better player, won more points, won the dominance ratio and still lost the match.
Very true. I think the mental aspect of it is big for many players facing him. I imagine that was also a factor today for CoricThat's correct for the Coric match, but OP was speaking generally. Federer does have a ton of excellent comebacks and from the most unlikely places as well.
It’s amazing. He’s past his prime and he’s not year end #1 for ten years already.Technically, what is it that keeps up in the game long after he is physically wrecked?
The defensive slices? The drop shots?
There were a lot of loopy shots againt Coric today, like I've rarely seen him play.
Fed is physically wrecked.
How does that contradict the fact that he was so worn out in that tie-breaker that he stopped attacking on the last 5 points or so?"Physically wrecked?" He's #3 in the world at almost 38. Has never retired from a match in his 21 years on tour. When he called an MTO today, Ted Robinson said, "Roger has never abused this feature of the tour, unlike his rivals. It's literally shocking for me a trainer is out there on court for Roger Federer."
Agree. Great variety of weapons in his arsenal.Shot selection (and being good enough to execute those shots successfully). Not prolonging rallies.
And won the match when he's 5 years older than Nadal and on his weakest surface. So yes, the fact he won a 2.5 match over a guy 15 years his junior contradicts the fact he was physically wrecked. Oh--- and it was his second match of the day as well.How does that contradict the fact that he was so worn out in that tie-breaker that he stopped attacking on the last 5 points or so?
The guy was grunting at Nadal levels.
He never said that, he said he is "a very talented player." And that's understating it by a huge degree."I am extremely talented"
- Roger Federer
I once heard a player say that the hardest thing about playing Federer is that if you find a winning strategy, he completely changes what he's doing and you have to work out how to beat him all over again.
It must be very hard to play someone who can move so seamlessly from defensive baselining, to offensive baselining, to servebotting, to S&V, to chip & charge, to junkballing. Makes it very difficult to target his weaknesses with your strengths (which is really the way you win tennis matches).
"I am extremely talented"
- Roger Federer
Federer is not better than Coric on clay. Coric won like 12 points more yesterday despite Federer serving more.He's a significantly better player than Coric, even at his current age. The better question would be 'how did Coric get so close to putting Federer away'? And the answer is largely down to physical exhaustion on Fed's part
You need to count in Boric's luck factor. Only match of the day while it was Fraud's second.Federer is not better than Coric on clay. Coric won like 12 points more yesterday despite Federer serving more.
The simple answer to the question is
serve+1
slice
racket head skills (this accounts for slice, 1st serve return, reflexes, volleys, etc)
His court coverage is crap, but because his racket head control is the best in the game ever he can still hit good shots despite barely getting to a ball.
His court coverage is crap, but because his racket head control is the best in the game ever he can still hit good shots despite barely getting to a ball.
Boric was outplaying Fed all match, it's not like Fed's 1h20 of play vs Sousa had a huge effect in the first 2 sets. And if they did, he's really more toast in Bo5 than I'd imagined.You need to count in Boric's luck factor. Only match of the day while it was Fraud's second.
Boric was outplaying Fed all match, it's not like Fed's 1h20 of play vs Sousa had a huge effect in the first 2 sets. And if they did, he's really more toast in Bo5 than I'd imagined.
He's better in general, very clearly. He's won a masters this year; Coric hasn't. It's difficult to assess clay as Fed's sample size is so small. Coric made the QF of MC and 1R in Madrid. Fed made QF of Madrid and now Rome. Coric was better for most of yesterday but not overall. I guess that's what happens when you have to play 2 matches in one dayFederer is not better than Coric on clay. Coric won like 12 points more yesterday despite Federer serving more.
The simple answer to the question is
serve+1
slice
racket head skills (this accounts for slice, 1st serve return, reflexes, volleys, etc)
His court coverage is crap, but because his racket head control is the best in the game ever he can still hit good shots despite barely getting to a ball.
Bo5 should be easier with its continuous play than having to play two matches with a few hour break.Boric was outplaying Fed all match, it's not like Fed's 1h20 of play vs Sousa had a huge effect in the first 2 sets. And if they did, he's really more toast in Bo5 than I'd imagined.
I don't think his endurance is great at all to be honest.You really think that Feder is timeless, don't you?
I don't think his endurance is great at all to be honest.
But I wouldn't expect that from any 37 year old. I don't imagine RAFA or Djoko will be top 3 at 37.
Variety. Belief. Old age that makes him forget the score at times.
So true. Today Coric should take some pride in the fact that he got the Federer treatment. Winning a dozen more points and still finding a way to lose? That's classic Roger. Since Federer leads the tour (if that's the right word) in "Simpson's Paradox matches," losing a match against him while also winning more points is a special feat indeed.**Because he’s literally good or great at everything on the tennis court. It’s the same reason why he’s so difficult to thoroughly defeat.
He was outplayed today. This is the most he’s ever been outplayed and still won a match. Evens up a little for all the matches in which HE was the better player, won more points, won the dominance ratio and still lost the match.
He played badly in the first set when the light was tricky but noticeably improved as the light evened out. At his age the rest of the body is still working well due to training and conditioning but I suspect he has a harder time picking the ball out in bad light conditions due to deteriorating visual actuity. Happens to everyone as they age even hyper elite athletes.
Technically, what is it that keeps up in the game long after he is physically wrecked?
The defensive slices? The drop shots?
There were a lot of loopy shots againt Coric today, like I've rarely seen him play.