Federer hit slower serves after mono virus

10is

Semi-Pro

Join Date: Jun 2010

Posts: 691

---

Quote:

Originally Posted by tricky Over the last 2 years, he'd added about 5MPH to his 1st and 2nd serves.

Compared to his prime? Definitely not! From 04-07 Federer was consistently averaging around 119-121 mph for the 1st serve. From 09-11 his 1st serve speed has consistenly been around 115 mph. He now serves on average at least 5 mph slower than when he was in his prime. This change coincides with his burgeoning back issues which started around 08-09. It's the same reason why you don't see the vicious kick serve that he used to have as often either (if at all). One need only compare prime and post-prime Federer on their pronation and the extent to which they arch their backs especially on their kick serves. For instance, you hardly see kick serves like these anymore:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mM1P2ej4YtY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfJFikZkCv8


As for serving mechanics which influence speed, let's compare his 2005 serve to its 2009 counterpart:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xQFA_Ng25A

vs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TM8b...tailpage#t=55s

Not only did he toss the ball higher in 2005 but also notice the difference in his positioning, his knee bend and, the torque on his body upon contact.

As good a server as he is even now, his serve and moreover its "clutchness" is nowhere near what it used to be back in the day. However such was the potency of his ground game and forehand in particular in those days that his serve was overshadowed and consequently underrated. Now that his ground game has deteriorated, his reliance on the serve is more prominent which is why some are under the impression that his serve has become "better" which is ridiculous. Here are some of his serving speed stats from 2003-2007:

Year 2003 127 mph 4th round U.S Open vs Nalbandian.
Year 2004 132 mph Final U.S Open vs Hewitt.
Year 2005 133 mph Semifinal Aussie Open vs Safin.
Year 2006 135 mph 4th round Aussie open vs Haas.
Year 2007 136 mph Semifinal French open vs Davydenko.

While in the past his defence to offence and (vice versa) transitional game was peerless, now due to his flagging physical/athletic attributes, he now knows he has to dominate points from the outset to win them, and thus he now builds his game around his serve (emphasizing strategy and placement), looking to finish points quickly and taking more risks. This over-reliance on the serve compared to his prime enhances the (false) perception of his serve having improved.

__________________
Just to see, close up, power and aggression made vulnerable to beauty is to feel inspired and (in a fleeting, mortal way) reconciled. -- DFW 

10is

Semi-Pro

Join Date: Jun 2010

Posts: 691

---

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeHappy I'm really confused reading this post. There's an increase of nearly 10mph in Federer's serve in the stats you listed at the end? You seem to be saying they're proof that Federer's serve is slower?

Those are stats from Federer's prime. His serve speed reached its zenith in 2007 and has appreciably declined since 2008.

10is

Semi-Pro

Join Date: Jun 2010

Posts: 691

---

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wilander Fan People are really teeing off on his second serve now and that is why he gets broken in his bad service games.

Exactly! Federer's second serve used to be amongst the very best in his prime -- now its far less potent.

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=438714&page=2