Mind games on as Becker hits out at Federer’s ‘SAB R’
Former tennis player and current coach of Novak Djokovic, Boris Becker, has slammed 17-time Grand Slam winner Roger Federer, describing the latter’s new chip-andcharge return tactic as ‘almost disrespectful’ to opponents.
Becker spoke about Federer’s recent strategy of standing right up to receive serve and then running in, after hitting it almost on the half volley.
The Swiss star used the tactic, which involves charging towards the net as his opponent serves, during a dominant 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 scamper into the semifinals of the US Open against Frenchman Richard Gasquet on Wednesday night.
The German legend said that in his day, players would have smacked the ball straight at Federer’s body to try and warn him off a move known as the SABR — Sneak Attack By Roger.
“It’s almost disrespecting the other guy’s serve. Everybody talks about that’s his new strategy — he comes in. It’s within the rules.
“If he would have played a ( John) McEnroe, ( Jimmy) Connors, (Ivan) Lendl or even me, we would have said, “Roger, in all honesty I like you very much, but I’ll go straight at you. In my generation guys would not have accepted as it is now,” Becker was quoted as saying by Skysports on Thursday.
Federer will next face compatriot Stan Wawrinka in the men’s singles semi-finals of the US Open. NOT SURPRISED WITH MY PROGRESS : FEDERER Many may be surprised by Roger Federer’s untroubled progress towards becoming the oldest US Open champion in almost half a century, but not Federer himself.
“For many years I have tried to look at the big picture to hopefully still be playing at a high level at this age,” said Federer, who would be the oldest winner of the US Open since Ken Rosewall in 1970.
“So in some ways I am not surprised I am playing as well as I am.”
Federer has not won a major since his seventh Wimbledon title in 2012, but came into the US Open on the back of a seventh Cincinnati title, defeating world number one Novak Djokovic in the final.
“I think I have worked on my game moving forward, have been able to take the ball earlier.”
Agencies
sportsdesk@hindustantimes.com It’s almost disrespecting the other guy’s serve. Everybody talks about that’s his new strategy — he comes in. It’s within the rules. If he would have played a (John) McEnroe, (Jimmy) Connors, (Ivan) Lendl or even me, we would have said, “Roger, in all honesty I like you very much, but I’ll go straight at you. In my generation guys would not have accepted as it is now