Federer has long mentored or trained with promising Swiss talent and intends to stay on when he retires, but currently no Swiss male stars have emerged following widespread evaluation by the Swiss. Federer and compatriot Stan Wawrinka, who won three major singles titles and helped Federer win the Davis Cup for Switzerland in 2014.
Part of the challenge in imitating Federer is that his playing style is too demanding.
“He does things that other people don’t feel comfortable trying to do. He’s actually playing six inches behind the baseline compared to people who are absolutely crushing balls with these rackets and strings and he’s picking up the ball on the upside, barely hitting half the ball. out of the baseline, and still be able to control and dictate the game. Most people look at that and say, ‘I could never play like that,’ Brad Stine, Tommy Paul’s coach, said in a recent interview. “I have described Roger as sometimes the most stubborn player in tennis, because he refuses to play. It’s really a high-risk tennis game but his feet are good and his eyes are so good he’s not going to give up.”
Grigor Dimitrov has long been one of the few people trying to model their game on Federer. But Dimitrov, 31, was unable to make the leap to the grand slam. Alcaraz, the Spanish prodigy, has just done it at the age of 19 when he won the US Open and rose to No. 1. Federer is his biggest role model, and his ability to improvise on all surfaces of the court. Alcaraz, next gear power, great moves, saddle to hit the net and ability to hit a winner from anywhere certainly feels familiar, even without a one-handed backhand and with a better drop.
“You have to be super explosive and move really well to be able to play Roger’s tennis,” Ljubicic said. “And Carlos was the first player to be able to try playing that way, and I’m happy to see him do it, because it’s breathtaking, point after hit. I hope he can keep going, even if he can’t go for as long as Roger did, because I see a lot of people and kids getting excited.”
Federer’s greatest tennis legacy likely won’t be tactical or technical. Competing until the age of 41 and returning to No. 1 at the age of 36, he extended his time in men’s tennis, managing his schedule and training carefully. He has also set an example with his interpersonal skills, which has helped him attract (and retain) sponsors and fans around the world.
