Roger Federer - A Tennis "Die Hard'

Roger Federer is described as a Tennis Die Hard in the Afrikaans Newspaper “Die Burger” (in Afrikaans) a  Tennis-Kanniedood.

80 Singles Titles (Open Era only Connors 109 & Lendl 94 have won more); He played in 60 Grand Slam Tournaments (only Agassi played in more 61); reached the Quarter-Final in 36 consecutive Grand Slams (between Wimbledon 2004 till the French Open 2013) only Connors comes close with 27; reached the Semi-Final in 23 consecutive Grand Slams ( between Wimbledon 2004 till the Australian Open 2010) the previous record was 10 held by Lendl and of course has won an unprecedented 17 Grand Slams (behind him is Sampras and Nadal with 14).

It’s astonishing that since 2000 he has never missed a Grand Slam; especially when you consider how physical the game has become in the last few decades not to mention how fit the players have to be just to compete. The last time Rafa Nadal played in all four Grand Slams in a year was in 2011. Craig O'Shannessy, chief market analyst for the occupational series for men, told the Daily Telegraph that Federer's style helps him with his fitness. Paraphrased:"When I watch tennis, I take note of sounds and noises. In Roger's case he floats on the court. It‘s almost as if he is skipping. You can almost hear not hear him.” "He has very flexible ankles and power in his calves. His lower legs do most of the work.” "He does not have heavy muscles – just enough to achieve his goal."

Tennis players are obviously at the peak of their careers in their mid-20s. So it's almost unheard of for a 33-year-old father of four to still be among the very best in the world. Federer is seeded second for the U.S. Open this week.

The question remains, however, whether his age counts against him in best of five sets tennis, during the two weeks of a Grand Slam tournament. It was once again proven this year when Federer lost in the fifth set of the Wimbledon final against the Serbian Novak Djokovic. It was most telling that only in the fifth set he was out played.

What could help him in this regard is the new tactics that he now adopted. Federer has in the last few months come to the net more - since Stefan Edberg became his new coach. This tactic reduces the rallies and helps to shortens the match. Edberg was in his day a master at the net and one can see definite influence in Federer's game. Federer last week told The Guardian that in the beginning he struggled to get used to Edberg. "I do not know if you have spent time with your childhood hero, but it was difficult.” "It's not something I ever thought would happen." If these tactics will help him to save energy in the American Open, Federer might in just over two Sundays add his 18th Grand Slam title to his trophy hall.

You can read the full article in Afrikaans on Die Burger  - by Altus Momberg (this is just my English translation)

Jade Christopher Bentley Adams signing off (@jcba)