'Roger Federer has had time to consider his strategy for 2021', says analyst

TennisTv recently made a report, asking numerous tennis players who their biggest rival is. Rafa Nadal had no doubts: “I have to say Roger Federer”. After more than 15 years, the most beautiful rivalry that inflames the hearts of the fans is still the one between the Swiss and the Spanish. TennisTv wanted to interview several players to ask them which rival they had in their career. The first to answer was Rafael Nadal: “I have to say Roger Federer. When I started playing in the major circuit, he was there: he was already the best. We have walked the same path together all these years”. It was then the turn of Novak Djokovic, who in less than a second replied: “Rafael Nadal”. It was then the turn of Dominic Thiem, who wanted to suggest two names above all: “I would say Rafa and Sascha. With them I played the hardest and most exciting games of my career. Really long games, finals in slam tournaments and master1000 ". Of the same opinion Alexander Zverev, who admitted: “Without a doubt Thiem. Against him I have played the most important matches up to now, whether they are slam finals or finals of a master1000 event. I believe that in the future we will continue to have these kinds of challenges”. Diego Schwartzman then replied: “I think Dominic Thiem. We played incredible games, under different circumstances. We also faced each other in Argentina and Austria”. Former WTA player Annabel Croft analyzed and expects Roger Federer to make smart decisions. She said that the Swiss Master will be more attacking and look for shorter points. Federer’s strategy will determine whether he can challenge for the important titles.

What can Roger Federer do to defeat Nadal and Djokovic?

“Roger Federer has had time to consider his strategy for 2021 and has always been very smart with his training and scheduling, so it would not surprise me if he has been focusing his practice on playing really short, sharp, attacking points. “If he is to challenge for the biggest prizes, he surely needs to avoid being drawn into lengthy wars of attrition" - Annabel Croft said. Federer will have to be more creative. He will turn 40 this year and thus physically he can’t compete with the younger players, but strategically he might be able to get the better of his rivals, Nadal and Djokovic. “By nature Federer is an aggressive player who looks to win matches quickly, but he might have decided that at this stage of his career it is time to shorten points even more by attacking at every conceivable opportunity, playing chip-and-charge on his returns and getting into the net whenever he can.” The lead-up to the Australian Open 2021 has not been an auspicious one for the organizers, with three flight-loads of players forced into hard quarantine without practice after some crew members tested positive for COVID-19. Worse, a total of 10 people involved with the tournament, including four players, also tested positive in the subsequent days, adding to the worries of top tournament officials, who have also been sweating on reports of players complaining about the quality of food being served during the quarantine.

 

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3t3byoV