Roger Federer explains advantages of two-handed backhand

In 2019, Roger Federer secured his 63rd Indian Wells victory with a 6-1, 7-5 triumph over Peter Gojowczyk in an hour and 17 minutes. Competing for the first time since winning the 100th title in Dubai, Federer hit two aces and six double faults and gave Peter seven break chances, saving six of those and bringing the match home in no time after pulling a break back in set number two. The German lost almost half of the points behind the initial shot and played against 14 break chances, suffering four breaks to end his journey in the second round. Roger had 24 winners and 18 unforced errors and dominated the shortest rallies up to four strokes to forge the significant lead that carried him over the finish line. Roger was off to a flying start, losing only two points on serve in the opening set and mounting the pressure on the other side of the net. Federer held at love in the opening game with a service winner, and the German couldn't defend serve in game two, hitting a double fault on the fourth break chance to give Roger an instant lead.

An ace (the ball was out, actually) pushed the Swiss 3-0 up, and he secured another break when Gojowczyk sent a backhand long to increase the lead and move closer to the finish line. After only 17 minutes, Roger went 5-0 in front with a service winner and wrapped up the opener with an unreturned serve at 5-1 to bring the set home in under 25 minutes. Struggling to find free points or rhythm with groundstrokes, Peter faced four break points at the start of the second set, repelling them and finally creating something more serious on the return in the next game when he earned two break chances.

Roger Federer spoke about a two-hnaded backhand in Indian Wells 2019.

Roger erased both to keep his serve intact, although he couldn't repeat that in game four when Peter broke him for a 3-1 lead, only to get broken in the next game to keep Federer in the set. Gojowczyk fired two winners to repel a couple of break chances in game seven and had a tremendous opportunity to forge another lead when Federer played against four break points in game eight. Roger stayed composed, blasted four winners to save them and closed the game with another beautiful serve & forehand combo for 4-4. Despite a solid effort, Peter fell on the last obstacle, gifting Roger a break in the 11th game after a costly double fault and hitting the exit door when the Swiss held at 15 a few minutes later for the place in the third round.

"I had a mental coach two decades ago for a year or so, but not anymore. I mean, it's essential to feel strong or not get down on yourself. But I don't do any work in that area. I focus more on, I guess, a good balance with my family and tennis, how I can juggle all the things in my life. I know I love tennis and going out there to play. I would go for a two-handed backhand for all of my four kids because it's easier; it's that simple. If they want to change that later on, I will teach them to hit a one-handed backhand. But I can't teach them a double-hander as I can't hit that one. So that's somebody else's job. At the end of the day, like with everything in life, you also have your own character. Some people decide to change it at eight, some at 14 and some later because they find it a good challenge. For now, that's what it is. And, who cares anyway if they hit a double-hander or not? It shouldn't be in the press," Roger Federer said.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3c8QOoP