Tennis great Laver: Federer just keeps on getting better with age
Rod Laver says Roger Federer has aged like a fine wine.
The great Laver, who retired at 37, believes Federer has become a more patient tactician at the net, developed a new weapon and doesn’t obsess over the sport. Laver believes those are the reasons for the Roger Renaissance as Federer attempts to win his third Grand Slam title of 2017 at age 36.
“Yes, I’m surprised but not totally surprised because he’s looked after himself at 36— he never so. put a lot of pressure on his game physically,’’ Laver told The Post. “He’s got a lot of phys- ios, trainers. He hasn’t put pressure on himself early in rounds. When I say pressure, the way he plays he doesn’t let points go on indefinitely.” The Swiss Maestro and It Laver was have Federer's become idea friends. to stage the Laver Cup next month to honor the Aussie legend. The only thing Federer hasn’t done in his career is win a calendar Grand Slam. Laver did it twice as the last man to do “When he’s not practicing, he’s got family, does other things, he’s not think- ing tennis all the time anymore,’’ Laver said. “He’s enjoying every time he walks on the court. He goes to practices, plays matches and then it’s over. If his forehand wasn’t quite as good, he’s not going out to practice like in the past. He’s got two sets of twins, and if they’re in Orlando and they go to Disney World, he goes with them. It’s refreshing.”
That Federer’s backhand has become more loaded in 2017 is the other major key, especially against his archrival.
“He doesn’t have a weakness,’’ Laver said. “His backhand used to be a problem against [Rafael] Nadal’s big forehand. He has a bigger-headed racket, is meeting
the ball flatter than slicing it. It’s giving opponents a lot more questions to how to beat him. He wasn’t going to keep winning like he had 10 years ago.
“He’s happy the way he’s playing the game — with that extra dimension being aggressive on the backhand return of serve, not just chipping it. So he’s hitting winners on that service return. That to me is a whole new ballgame.’’
While Federer and Nadal don’t start until Tuesday, the top three American men are in action — Sam Querrey, Jack
Sock and John Isner — on the day card. None of that trio showed up for Saturday’s Media Day. … The temporary Louis Armstrong Stadium is in a different location while the new Armstrong is being erected. The old Armstrong was imploded after the 2016 Open. The temporary digs are nestled near the ramp by the LIRR. The new 14,000-seat Armstrong, which also will have a retractable roof, will be ready for the 2018 Open. The Arthur Ashe Stadium roof starts its second year after being used on seven days (14 hours) last year.