Roger Federer could play even with wooden rackets, says former world no. 4
In an interview to Huffington Post, the former world no. 4 and 1976 French Open winner Adriano Panatta commented on the differences between tennis in the past and now
Panatta, who recently wrote a book about the last 50 years of tennis, said: "It's different than the one we played. On all levels. Both tennis-wise and players' games. Now they are all two meters tall and their tennis is much harder, stronger. But with today's rackets, you can do it. That was impossible back in the day with wooden rackets."
Of Roger Federer, Panatta said: "He is a universal player. He could also play with wooden rackets, but at the same time, he is a super modern player. Looking at him, I see some characters of past players."
About Bjorn Borg, Panatta added: "He was one of the first guys who played the most physical tennis. He invented a game style. Then several players tried to play like him and everything was not like before anymore."
About Italian tennis, Panatta added: "We have good players. Fabio Fognini, Andreas Seppi, Matteo Berrettini who is young but plays very well. Big wins are missed, a Grand Slam (win), (win at) the Rome Open. But we still have very good players. Now younger players do not do the things they love patiently. Because they have to fit with work, also improvising, due to needed reasons."
Panatta works as an analyst in a football programme in Italy on Rai 2, he has also worked as tennis commentator in the past years.
from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2NYjpQH
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