Roger Federer believes tennis is in a protected place, regardless of the 20-time Grand Slam champion harboring some dissatisfaction with fashionable tennis.
The 43-year-old will journey to Berlin to compete within the Laver Cup – tennis’s Ryder Cup – the place Staff Europe will tackle Staff World.
With world primary Jannik Sinner and Spanish celebrity Carlos Alcaraz taking the Grand Slams this yr, the Swiss nice, who has introduced he’ll retire from the game in 2022, admitted gamers are dropping their jobs because of the greater prizes Grow to be extra “fearless” in competitors.
“Women and men will begin hitting greater forehands and backhands, extra fearlessly as a result of they understand the rewards are there,” Federer informed a information convention in Berlin.
“The very best movers are one of the best gamers, you possibly can see that. Those who’re mentally fittest, bodily the strongest, the quickest are one of the best gamers.
“It isn’t about know-how anymore. I have been fooled sufficient within the final 10, 15, 20 years that I believed, ‘I am unsure about this know-how,’ however with racquet know-how and strings Strategies, you possibly can iron them and truthfully, something is feasible in tennis so long as you hit the ball onerous and superbly.
“The sport continues to be the identical, but it surely’s simply taken to the following stage. I all the time really feel prefer it continues to rise. Perhaps it is only a lack of selection, however that is as a result of now we’re all two-handed gamers they usually do not use the chip as a lot.
“In fact, we can’t see that many lobs. Alcaraz and [Daniil] Medvedev tries so as to add that to their recreation, which I feel is a superb recreation, however you’ll want to prepare it so much – the transition recreation.
“To a big extent, I nonetheless take pleasure in watching tennis at this time, and all the time in a protected place, as a result of tennis is such a beautiful sport.”
Can Djokovic attain 25 in 2025?
Waiting for 2025, Federer sees Novak Djokovic in Australian Open speak as he completes profession Grand Slam by profitable singles gold on the Paris Olympics, with the Serbian focusing on 2025 Received a record-breaking 25 Grand Slams in a yr.
The eight-time Wimbledon champion mentioned: “Novak gained the Olympics and performed a full season. He didn’t withdraw resulting from harm. He selected to play much less video games, which is regular when you’re older.”
“I feel he has an opportunity to maneuver on.
“I am trying ahead to the following Grand Slam in Australia. I feel he will certainly be one of many favorites together with Sinner and Alvarez.
“I feel the Australian Open story will probably be a really fascinating one to look at.”
What’s up with the one-handed backhand?
Federer, who possesses one of the easy and sleek one-handed backhands in a era, additionally laments the top of a novel shot on the high of the lads’s recreation.
When requested what he might do, the Swiss joked: “Tie one hand behind your again and play with one hand.”
He then supplied his perspective, saying: “I feel numerous it comes from the teaching. Two issues: It will be nice to have the world’s No. 1 and No. 2 in one-handed tennis, and we’re nonetheless There aren’t any such one-handed golfers, so this may not encourage a era to play the sport with one hand.
“Youngsters have a tendency to have a look at one of the best gamers on the earth and in case you see the fingers then you definitely suppose that is the best way ahead, although that will not be the case, after which I simply suppose coaches world wide would possibly understand that some gamers use You may hit higher with one hand than with each fingers.
“Have you ever ever taken your fingers off your fingers? That is the issue. Coaches have to know that gamers have to have the identical urge to strive that I did.
“I do suppose the one-handed backhand nonetheless has a spot within the fashionable recreation. In fact, you possibly can struggle extra with each fingers on the ball and on protection, and perhaps the one-handed backhand could be a lot tougher.
“I’m additionally seeing now that two-handed gamers are chipping higher, which I really feel like was not all the time the case once I was on tour 20 years in the past.
“It is enjoyable to look at. It is unhappy to see fewer and fewer one-handed individuals.”
What’s on Sky Sports activities Tennis in September?
- Japan Open – ATP 500 (September 25-October 1)
- China Open – ATP 500 (September 26-October 2)
- China Open – WTA 1000 (September 25-October 6 – Emma Raducanu competes)
Sky Sports activities+ is formally launched and will probably be merged into sky tvStreaming providers Now and Sky Sports Appthis yr Sky Sports activities prospects can watch greater than 50% of dwell sports activities occasions totally free. Learn more here.