The Roger Federer set-up lure

Perfect set-up point from start to finish. Note how he positions his slices as if experimenting to lure James Blake away from his target, before placing it where he wanted from past the court with a running forehand on a low ball. Intelligent, and precise. Typical Federer.
This was at the Showdown of Champions event, 2008, in Kuala Lumpur, Asia.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• tennis
• roger
• federer
• set
• up
• slices
• intelligent
• placement
• low
• ball
• blake
• lure
• showdown
• of
• champions
• 2008
• kuala
• lumpur
• KL
• precise
• point
• amazing
• shot
• forehand

[miltyu97]

You think Federer intentionally let the ball drop lower before he hit the running forehand to make the shot harder for himself because he'd have to deal with net clearance especially over the highest part of the net? Really?

[PowerGraceClass]

Well if you look at the motion of his swing at that point, it has a lot more depth compared to how he normally hits the ball when it's still on the rise, but it's not easy to tell, perhaps he was trying to brush up on the ball to apply some topspin, seeing as how his arm finished above his shoulder compared to when he normally follows through at a 180 degree angle across his torso. Perhaps he was practising a low to high shot, or perhaps he used this shot because it would save him some time.

[PowerGraceClass]

I think he used this technique to intentionally wait for the ball to lower because it would save him some time to prepare while running to produce a greater swing and get more power on the shot.

That's just what it seems from my perspective, but everyone analyses differently.

[n4cer500]

wow, you're analytical skills are amazing.

[PowerGraceClass]

It's very kind of you to say that. I really appreciate it, thank you.

[protiiooi]

blake actually hit a pretty good crosscourt forehand. would have created some trouble for anyone else but not federer

[BarelyListening15]

im not sure that the slice down the center of the court really set up that forehand from blake that was just spontaneous to get federer in a bad position

but federers shot was genius and he did everything perfect on that forehand thats really great for you to pick that up and put it on youtube

thanks

[miltyu97]

Yeah I definitely think Federer didn't "want" to hit the ball lower on purpose. It doesn't work to his advantage per se. Besides, we've seen Fed "pancake" the ball on the same shot if it were higher. I personally think, in this instance, he was just adjusting to the circumstances. Blake so happen to hit a loopier shot that landed shorter, forcing Federer to hit a lower shot. But he pulled off a winner anyways, so it really doesn't matter haha.

[miltyu97]

I've also seen Sampras use this technique several occasions too. But Sampras used this set-up a little differently. Typically Pete would slice closer to the side line, pulling the opponent even farther off the court. Plus, he'd use some side spin on that shot to really make the ball jump away from the forehand and make his opponent really want to hit cross court...feeding his famously deadly...running forehand just like what we see in this clip.