Roger Federer’s Success at 2014 ATP Finals Shows Old-School Tennis Still Matters

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at Internationaled.org

Published: November 14, 2014

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Roger Federer plays so old school that he's pre-school, as in pre-historic. Federer, the elder statesman on the ATP Tour, chose "Throw-Back Thursday" to school Andy Murray on the fundamentals of classic tennis.

Federer defeated Murray 6-0, 6-1 and reached the semifinals of the ATP World Tour Finals in London. Federer faces Kei Nishikori, who defeated David Ferrer in a three-setter. 

The win over Murray was as instructive as it was decisive. While admittedly not playing his best, Federer managed to dismantle Murray, a two-time Grand Slam winner.

Federer demonstrated that even in this era of endless baseline rallies, racket-and-string technology and courts engineered to slow down play, a good old-fashioned all-court, all-around game can still reign supreme.

Few can conduct clinics like the ones the Maestro has put on during the finals. He has utilized the entire court. He patiently constructs points. Like a blast from the past, Federer continues to serve-and-volley. He uses an almost extinct one-handed backhand. When his opponent hugs the baseline, Federer surprises them with the always handy drop shot.

Federer built his career on an all-court, old-school game. He's proving that even against the best baseline bashers, old-school tennis still works.

Mechanically sound groundstrokes, a reliable serve, soft hands at the net and stealth drop shots can rattle the baseliner. Against the speedster Nishikori, Federer used serve-and-volley. Sometimes Nishikori got passing shots by Federer. However, when Federer broke Nishikori early, it was the baseliner, uncomfortable at the net, who unraveled. 

The all-around sound game gives Federer a larger margin for error. When his serve is subpar, he can fall back on crafty shot-making. He did just that against Murray.

Federer told the ATP, "I think I just really picked apart his game...I didn't even really serve that well...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Tennis

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