| Roger Federer is the most "watchable" champion the | | | | has an adaptable game plan that he can change to |
| game has known. His game is moulded on the Rod | | | | suit each opponent and he can change tactics mid |
| Laver and Pete Sampras model, but Federer has | | | | match if the situation arises. |
| taken it to a new level. Quite simply he is superb in all | | | | Developing a Federer or a Henin is difficult. Observing |
| elements of the game:-o His strokes are technically | | | | junior tournaments the world over it seems modern |
| flawlesso He is able to tactically impose his strengths | | | | coaching is producing more and more one dimensional |
| on his opponents weakness'o He is physically in | | | | players. These players are very comfortable around 1 |
| tremendous shape, moving beautifully around court and | | | | metre behind the baseline hammering the most |
| suffering fewinjuries, ando He displays mental strength | | | | devastating forehands and backhands imaginable. |
| (especially recently) which has overwhelmed several | | | | Unfortunately this is the only way they know to play |
| adversaries in recent tight matches. | | | | the game and if they cannot win overpowering their |
| His execution of the all round game has resulted in him | | | | opponent from the baseline they have no viable |
| claiming 12 grand slam trophies and reached 10 | | | | alternative. |
| consecutive grand slam finals (at end of 2007). | | | | Emerging young players who have been taught on |
| It was not always this way:- | | | | clay courts are increasingly demonstrating the variety |
| "I remember when my game was still up in the air, on | | | | needed to make it at the top level. They can hit heavy |
| any given day I could play very well. But on off days I | | | | topspin, change of pace, loop and drop shots, angles, |
| would be very vulnerable." | | | | slice and a sound volley. Additionally these players are |
| This statement summed up Federer's early career and | | | | coming into pro tennis with tremendous fitness and |
| also the problems facing players wishing to emulate his | | | | mental strength. |
| style. Federer has so many strokes and strategies | | | | For coaches in the US and Australia where hard and |
| that during his first years on tour he hadn't mastered | | | | synthetic courts are more common - consider |
| his game. The more decisions a player has to make, | | | | Progressive Tennis. Progressive tennis has many |
| the more mistakes they can make. | | | | different names in many different countries. Essentially |
| This was best reflected in Federer's early exchanges | | | | what it entails is the use of modified equipment when |
| with Australia's Lleyton Hewitt. Hewitt was a number 1 | | | | teaching developing players. |
| at age 19 and at one point held a 7 - 1 career record | | | | How does progressive tennis help teach an all court |
| against Roger although they were both the same age. | | | | game?o Using a modified ball which doesn't bounce so |
| Hewitt is a fierce counter puncher and really relied on | | | | high allows young players to develop more moderate |
| a few patterns and strokes to wear down his | | | | grips (semi western), which are then easier to change |
| opponent, a style that was easier to master than | | | | for volleys or slice.o Using modified balls which don't |
| Federer's. | | | | bounce so high allow young players to move forwards, |
| Twelve straight losses later and Hewitt is conceding | | | | take the ball early and attack the net effectively.o |
| he needs to become a more all round player to | | | | Using a smaller, lighter racquet allows the young player |
| compete with the world's best again. The all round | | | | to develop effective mechanics on strokes, including |
| style may not deliver immediate results - learning (and | | | | racquet speed, rather than compensating for a difficult |
| teaching) it will be frustrating. It is worth putting in the | | | | to handle senior model.o Using a modified court (ie. |
| hard work to achieve an all round game that will allow | | | | shorter baseline) allows the young player to move to |
| players to play with creativity and the variety to win in | | | | the net - and have a chance to cover the lobs of their |
| different conditions, on a variety of court surfaces and | | | | opponent. |
| against diverse opponents. | | | | The modifications of progressive tennis can apply to |
| The key elements of Federer's all round game | | | | young players up to the age of 10 - but can be |
| include:-o The ripping inside out forehand is the most | | | | implemented for all ages to help even adults who are |
| damaging stroke in Federer's repertoire.o Federer hits | | | | new to the game. Significantly Federer's home country |
| a closed stance forehand when transitioning through | | | | Switzerland implements a progressive tennis program, |
| the mid court. This is in direct contrast to Roddick who | | | | as do successful tennis federations in France, Belgium |
| likes to hit the inside out open stance shot - resulting in | | | | and the Netherlands. The system can make the game |
| poor positioning for the volley.o The backhand is hit | | | | easier and more enjoyable for beginners; or lay the |
| with tremendous variety; heavy topspin cross court, | | | | foundations for a future champion to play the all round |
| flat and deep down the line and biting slice.o Beautifully | | | | game. |
| disguised serve, which creates effectiveness on both | | | | Can developing players hope to emulate the mastery |
| 1st and 2nd serve. The additional option of serve and | | | | Federer has over so many aspects of the game? No! |
| volley is available to Federer when he chooses.o | | | | Coaches can, however, invest the time in developing |
| Superb volley technique and the touch to execute | | | | an all round player and athlete. While it will take a long |
| drop and angled volleys to win the point.o Federer's | | | | time and may never be mastered, it will challenge the |
| moves swiftly with balance and grace. His | | | | student and keep the learning process enjoyable. The |
| mechanically sound movement andstroke technique | | | | burnout in developing players learning a one |
| mean he is rarely injured and out of the game.o | | | | dimensional baseline game is alarming, especially the |
| Outwardly he is calm and composed - although we | | | | girls. Give young players the chance to copy the |
| have seen he is fiercely competitive and motivated to | | | | Federer style, if not achieve his spectacular results. |
| take his place amongst the game's greats.o Federer | | | | |