Roger Federer: The Margins Are Smaller On A Quicker Court

by Tom Gainey | January 4th, 2014, 10:19 am
  • 26 Comments

The plays have made it known that the courts this year in Australia are playing faster than they have in the past. And one would think that would suit a 7-time Wimbledon champion like Roger Federer, but the Swiss doesn’t 100% agree.

“Obviously the margins are smaller on a quicker court,” Federer said on Friday. “Because let’s say the first game I do get broken because he hits a few good shots and maybe I serve one, maybe two maximum serves not perfect, you’re right away in trouble, which on a slower court is not going to happen that quickly. So I feel probably a bit more confident on a slower court against a normal player. Against top guys, they can also play very well on the faster courts as well.”

After a 3-set win over Jeremy Chardy, Federer advanced today to the Brisbane final where he’ll meet longtime rival and fellow 32-year-old Lleyton Hewitt in a resumption of a rivalry that dates back to 1999! (Federer leads 18-8)


“I don’t play many guys who are older than me or my age,” said Federer. “Even though there are quite a few guys around who are hanging on. I think we’re both really looking forward to it.

“My rivalry with him was pretty intense – never nasty or anything, but just good matches. We’re total opposite from one another the way we play. I play with the one‑handed backhand. He plays his double‑handed. His attitude on court is totally different to mine. I think that’s why it’s always an interesting match-up for both of us.”

Federer, who list in the doubles semifinals, is seeking his first title since Halle in June. Hewitt’s last title also came in Halle in 2010.

“You want to play against the best players, and obviously Roger and I have a good history and a lot of tough matches in the past in [Grand] Slams and Davis Cups and everything,” said Hewitt after beating Kei Nishikori. “He’s been great obviously for this tournament and ticket sales and promoting tennis in Australia again. I’m going to enjoy it.”


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26 Comments for Roger Federer: The Margins Are Smaller On A Quicker Court

Tennis X Hippy Chic Says:

Im looking forward to this match,i like both players although niether are my favorites,its interesting to see two veterans squaring of for the title,i would give Roger the edge as his record against Leyton is very good,im just hoping for a exciting and well contested final,may the best man win.

January 4th, 2014 at 1:57 pm


Slice Tennis Says:

Roger Federer definitely has to win this to give himself atleast an outside chance of getting closer to his lofty goal of winning 4 or 5 ATP250s this year. When is his next 250 tournament ?

January 4th, 2014 at 2:17 pm


Josh Says:

@Slice Tennis – not sure, I think there’s one coming up in Melbourne sometime soon

January 4th, 2014 at 2:20 pm


Humble Rafa Says:

I want to win 5 grandslams in a year.

January 4th, 2014 at 3:10 pm


jatin Says:

If you have nothing good to say then why comment in fed’s article ?

Seriously. Sock puppets would soon join you again as usual.

January 4th, 2014 at 3:12 pm


Josh Says:

Best of luck Rog! Let’s go

January 4th, 2014 at 3:22 pm


the DA Says:

So many of his fans clamor for faster courts, and after Brisbane provides them the man himself says he prefers them a little slower. Very interesting.

January 4th, 2014 at 6:03 pm


Brando Says:

@the DA:

LOL @ the irony of that.

January 4th, 2014 at 7:45 pm


skeezer Says:

@the DA,
Remember Roger is the second best Clay courter in Rafa’s dominance of Clay, so its not like he cannot play well on the stuff. In the past decade, he has done very well vs. the field. Additionally, he beat rafa handlily at IW year before last which is the tours slowest HC. Problem is, Slow surfaces award the guy who as all day to swing at the ball, and be patient. Age doesn’t reward that to well.

January 4th, 2014 at 9:13 pm


Slice Tennis Says:

Federer was booted out in the finals by Hewitt. What will be the excuse from Federer here.

What was Federer’s goal for this year…4 or 5 ATP250s ?
Forget about it.

January 5th, 2014 at 3:29 am


Giles Says:

Jan 4th 9.13 pm. Excuses, excuses and more excuses!! Lol
Well done Rusty.

January 5th, 2014 at 4:34 am


Josh Says:

Awful 1st set from RF – 21 unforced errors in 6 games! Second set was better, but Hewitt was just playing better overall. He took his chances in the 3rd whilst Roger didn’t.

January 5th, 2014 at 5:34 am


madmax Says:

No excuses Giles. Federer was absolutely awful first set.

I hoped that Edberg would have been around for this match, but he doesn’t arrive until next week. Then, the analysis can begin.

It doesn’t surprise me though, Hewitt is one of those dark horses in any tournament. He is like a duracell bunny. He keeps on going. I really think those hip operations have been beneficial for him and his mental application. Like he has become bionic in his tennis career. He just doesn’t give up!

Slice Tennis Says:

Federer was booted out in the finals by Hewitt. What will be the excuse from Federer here.

What was Federer’s goal for this year…4 or 5 ATP250s ?
Forget about it.

January 5th, 2014 at 3:29 am

Slice tennis. Yes. Whether you like it or not, that will still be a goal for Federer. It’s what champions aspire to as well as ATP500s and grand slams. To win. Doesn’t always work out that way, but reaching a final for the first tournament of the year, is a good starting point.

Interesting that there were no excuses from Federer. What a pity for you slicetennis. :(

“The way you tough it out … congratulations,” Federer said in a court-side interview. “I would have loved to have won the title, but Lleyton was better than me today.”

http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/williams-beats-azarenka-defends-brisbane-title-21420578

When you think these two have known each other over half their lives, clear there is mutual appreciation and respect:

Hewitt received the trophy from Australian great Rod Laver, a regular at the Australian Open final presentations involving Federer over the years.

“It’s been a while since I won a trophy. For me to get it from you (Rod Laver) really means a lot,” Hewitt said. “I don’t need to congratulate Roger, he gets congratulated every week when he’s up here for finals!”

and federer fans can take heart from watching Roger play both doubles and singles, reaching finals and testing both his reserve and stamina. He has done enough now in terms of work prior to the AO. Time to rest and reflect on the positives. He can iron out the difficulties in practice sessions soon enough.

January 5th, 2014 at 6:22 am


Giles Says:

madmax. Fed spent 4 hours on court yesterday playing both singles and doubles. That may have taken its toll in the final.

January 5th, 2014 at 6:40 am


madmax Says:

Giles,

I know. But remember, no excuses. I am just pleased that he pushed his skills, played some high impact tennis, has had some gruelling practice sessions and reached the finals of both, start of the year, can’t be bad.

Did you watch both matches live? I couldn’t stay up that late unfortunately. The sleep train called for me.

January 5th, 2014 at 6:46 am


Giles Says:

madmax. I watched Doha live but not Brisbane. Checked scores for the latter. I did watch some highlights of Brisbane earlier in the week and from what I saw it seems fed is getting more pop on the ball with his new stick. Is that right?

January 5th, 2014 at 7:11 am


Tennis X Hippy Chic Says:

Congrats to Hewitt i hope this win gives him some confidence ahead of the AO,as for Roger this was a positive week for him,i picked him for this title but he ran into an inspired Hewitt,nothing more to say other than wish them both the best for the AO.

January 5th, 2014 at 7:22 am


skeezer Says:

22 UE’s in the first set . Not a way go start a match. But its not like Hewitt can’t play. Del Potro lost against Hewitt in Kooyong last year in the final against Hewitt. Hope Fed figures it out for AO. Congrats to Hewitt, nice to see him get a title in his home country.

January 5th, 2014 at 9:31 am


madmax Says:

Giles,

I have been watching some of the highlights in Brisbane, like you, and I notice that Fed does have a lot more pop on his back hand side, so much so, that he does over hit.

I guess this is to be expected though after using one type of racquet since his professional career started, but having practised for a few weeks now, more practice on that side is necessary, I think. I wonder if he will bring in any lefties to train with. Like he has in the past, with Jessie Levine.

It’s still quite strange looking at this racquet on TV, which seems enormous compared to his previous one.

It’s the UEs though. No excuse for that. He has played Leighton a gazillion times. I don’t think he under estimated him. I just think that he is panicked when he gets to a final now and it’s all in the head. Edberg should be able to put an end to that with his experience. I think Roger doubts himself more in clutch moments. That is what he needs to work on in my view.

He knows that Leighton, on a good day, can beat the top 5. Leighton must be pleased as punch right now.

January 5th, 2014 at 10:49 am


Giles Says:

http://alturl.com/4rkka.
AO court speed unchanged

January 5th, 2014 at 12:41 pm


madmax Says:

Interesting giles.

But would they tell us?

I guess it’s up to the players to figure whether it affects their game, and if more than 1 player has commented on it, Cilic, Fed, and the rest of those mentioned in the article, then there must be some truth in it?

Who knows?

A court is a court. They just got to play!

January 5th, 2014 at 12:46 pm


Josh Says:

Novak’s been training on Rod Laver Arena recently – he’ll probably be quite pleased with that.

January 5th, 2014 at 2:32 pm


Giles Says:

I’m sure Rafa will be pleased as well in that the court is no quicker than previously. Rafa will practice tomorrow at 4 pm.
Vamos Champ!

January 6th, 2014 at 6:02 am


Slice Tennis Says:

Winning Doha against some flat hitting hard courters is great for Rafa. The interesting point to note is that the balls used in Doha is the same which will be used in Melbourne. The balls were quick and with some bounce and Rafa was very much comfortable controlling his strokes with those balls even on the faster surface in Doha.
Real positive signs for Rafa before the AO.

January 6th, 2014 at 6:40 am


Slice Tennis Says:

“A court is a court. They just got to play!”

Of course it is true, but obviously clay is an exception and not a legitimate surface for you guys. LOL.

January 6th, 2014 at 6:42 am


Tennis X Hippy Chic Says:

IMO Rafa is a better HC player than he was in 2009 when he won the AO,and as Slice Tennis said he navigated his way through the draw in Doha pretty well,controlling his strokes on a fast surface against some big hitters,i actually believe this bodes well for the AO,i dont know if he will win the title(time will tell),but he does look good now on this surface,he didnt look too impressive at the beginging of the week to be honest but seems to have played himself into form.

January 6th, 2014 at 8:20 am

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