17 Year Old Federer Was Already a GENIUS! (First EVER Grand Slam Match)

[@haidycast]

I love watching Roger's matches when he was young to hear commentary comments and predictions for him❤ I can't also believe how he changed his mentality from frustrated player who gets angry very quickly to a decent and calm player as we know him Amazing work as usual Wivo👏🏻👏🏻

[@WivoRN]

❤️❤️

[@anustart-loveeachother7680]

I really like the commentators too. Calm, analytical, not biased towards either player seemingly, and they seem very knowledgable…

[@garethtaylor1470]

@@lilyleon1475 Ironically both of these commentators are still doing this lol! It’s Annabelle Croft and Chris something.

[@d3tached]

Never saw this match! Rafter was a beast. I kept thinking how over the years roger became known for hitting those difficult shots like the overhead backhand. Rafter must have felt good knowing he was able to show the young gun a thing or two.

[@SalHardy]

How was he a beast when nothing became of him and everything became of Roger? You're confusing Rafter's skills with Federer's inexperience.

[@tankambli]

@@lilyleon1475 Heyy I'm new to tennis, could you please explain how the game was slowed down?

[@pawshands9706]

Watching this i am reminded of some very telling changes to Roger's shots. His serve, forehand, backhand and volleys have all been refined since these very green years.

[@jyp6655]

The consistency of rafters bh smash is absurd

[@julianandrews7]

Crazy how different his forehand looks!

[@holymackenaw]

Loved Rafter. He played a dying style but gave everything every time. A tough player to play against for veterans, even tougher for youngsters who havent played someone like him probably ever before.

[@Savorychicken41]

Never seen Federer look so flustered. You can see the inexperience in his game.

[@pranavshrestha4953]

1:17 Commentator: I think could be one of the great names of the future. Went on to become the greatest name in tennis history

[@draakje15]

Djokovic is better Fedboy.

[@genaroflores835]

@@draakje15 but Federer is no doubt the greatest name in tennis among all the greats…even they think it

[@Ben6164]

@@draakje15 Lmfao - why are you Djokovic fans so awful to others with differing views? I've never seen a Federer fan insult anyone else for their beliefs.

[@diosrelish6924]

@@Ben6164 i think the worst are Rafa fans %90 are childish.. simply cry babies ..... the proof is : " ohhhhh Rafa lost 😮😮😮 .. no no no he lost because he suffers from multiple chronic injuries otherwise he would never lose " What an old rusty Cliche

[@Ben6164]

@@diosrelish6924 Yeah, that is ridiculous. But I don't understand it. I will always love Federer the most, but all three are fantastic players. I don't understand why Nadal and Djokovic fans need to be so toxic toward those who support Federer. We all love tennis, right? That's something we can agree on? Well, Federer has done so much to promote this sport, it's almost unimaginable - can Nadal and Djokovic fanatics not appreciate that?

[@zrexez1930]

Kid looks talented, could be a phenomenon in a few years, mark my word

[@patrickw9706]

You were wrong, he is not even Top 50!

[@rebelsrweird4294]

He has 20 grand slams. What are you talking about.

[@johnrenehan7406]

Rafter was a premior attacking type of player from that era ; very solid all round game ; groundies / great kick serve - great athlete , but wat set him apart from most the rest - fantastic net play ; instinctive and at complete ease around the net - at his best could tackle any style on any surface Fed was pretty good too 😉

[@henrysalami7593]

Great vid ..thx .. Amazing these commentators were spot on recognizing something about his future top 10 talents!

[@yukuhana]

Time travelling back to the days of thin rackets and busy shorts!

[@Em4gdn1m]

This Federer kid has a long way to go if he wants to be considered amongst the best to ever play.

[@asud2571]

He still does 23 year later

[@Em4gdn1m]

@@asud2571 lol top 3 any way you cut it.

[@wouternieminen844]

He better stops trying. This is obviously not working out.

[@rebelsrweird4294]

@@wouternieminen844 he has 20 grand slams.

[@wouternieminen844]

@@rebelsrweird4294 I am not sure. But did you sense the joking in this thread?

[@seppwurzel4282]

When I watched Roger in a match around that time, he was very clearly loosing against Boris Becker and I saw nothing special. Never thought that he could become a legend. It is unbelievable how he developed his game and his abilities in the following years.

[@yvonnehummel7323]

The style of the shorts has definitely improved.

[@michaelvonhaven105]

his style is so different from now

[@Jari_Sanou]

Rafter already rocking the Stan’15 shorts

[@GoDawgs18]

Crazy that Roger never beat Rafter

[@redwoodtrees7068]

not really

[@dirkhartog7438]

Nobody has impacted the game more than Federer. Almost all the unorthodox shots you see from the current crop of young stars were populartised by Federer. The between the legs shot, the over the opposite shoulder smash with your back to the net (as seen in this match), the look the other way dink, the heavily sliced BH drop shot, the drive volley, receiving a first serve from the service line - maybe they weren't all invented by Federer but he certainly made them cool (and effective) enough for the young to want to adopt.

[@sivlez]

His forehand was so different!!

[@waleedaslam2356]

federer's forehand was so different. That backswing

[@Buddhism4Happiness]

With his backwards cap, and his forehand stroke, it reminded me of Leighton Hewitt.

[@cooljon4240]

This kinda reminds me of me, very easily frustrated, one handed backhand, some hot shots, but at the end easily dominated, i hope to improve at the end of my teens as well

[@cjever6625]

Where is the first set? Could have seen how Roger won it against Rafter.

[@WivoRN]

Not available anywhere unfortunately

[@oguzcangunduz4160]

Roger was really not regarded as a wonder kid or a very promissing young talent, even you can find some interviews about his really weak backhand. However in the earlies 2000s he really improved his skills and became RF.

[@ad-rock603]

He won junior Wimbledon and the commentator for this very match predicted Federer as a top ten player...

[@tyrone2252]

Actually quite the opposite. He was always regarded as a supreme talent but people weren't sure if he had the head to be a great player. Sure proved them wrong

[@jairotipple7731]

I agree, this guy Federer is going to be good.

[@user-Rezamd1]

Earlier in 2006 and 2004 one of the best player

[@mikerzisu9508]

Who would have known that he was going to turn into the GOAT 🐐

[@abeguy7981]

and then goat gets gobbled by joker

[@mikerzisu9508]

@@abeguy7981 lol okay.... Novax is top 10 at best. No chance at GOAT

[@abeguy7981]

@@mikerzisu9508 Haha guy with 21 slams isn't goat but frauderer with 20 is goat ?? Fed fleas don't even know basic arithmetic

[@mikerzisu9508]

@@abeguy7981 a lot more to being the GOAT than some numbers on paper. Novax is an asshole first of all.... absolutely no denying that. His game is boring... baseline hero. Net game is average at best. Serve below average. There is no way he is in the GOAT conversation. Truth hurts Djoker scrub.

[@nonody8125]

@@abeguy7981 Yes because Novax claimed most of his titles in post 2014 era when Federer was 34+ and against the bulllshit young generations. Barring 2011 ..... Djokovic won 3 GS combined in 2012,13,14 and that was his prime. Then he vultured 2015 onwards because Rafa was very bad and Grandpa Federer was his main rival. Djoker never faced a good young generation player. Federer faced great young generation. Djokovic always faced older equivalents on whom he had age and fitness advantage.

[@ἈλέξανδροςὁΜέγας-ρ3λ]

3:32 Monica Seles won his match! Monica was defeated only on semifinals against Steffi Graf (1-2). Steffi defeated Martina Hingis in final (2-1).

[@keaneoRX7]

Patrick Rafter was a great Serve & Volley Player, one of the last ! a very tough opponent for a young Federer.

[@commentor369chelsea4]

This is great stuff - thank you. Also, the commentary team provides a nice mix of analysis and color. (Is the woman Annabelle Croft?)

[@WivoRN]

Thank you! ❤️ No idea who she is sorry.

[@IrishMarty]

Back in the days when players still did a gentleman’s handshake at the net.

[@molybdaenmornell123hopp5]

Yes, now they hug.

[@diegosotomiranda4107]

@@molybdaenmornell123hopp5 and thats a bad thing for some reason?

[@jamescarr4662]

They still do.

[@joellahrman4557]

They still do of course, not sure what that comment was about. But Rafter was known as one of the classiest players at the net after the match, win or lose.

[@georgigazeto4650]

It is absolutely normal that they change their technique. Idk why people are wondering. Of course he consults himself and improves this all the time, especially when u have the talent like him. He can do whatever he wants with his talent. The forehand was actually not that bad, maybe more for clay because of the long motion, but I remember when I watched this match and I was already touched by his game.

[@tradehead]

Too damn many commercials, fed up with them!

[@franschmidt7407]

10:30 mark my words by comentator:)

[@danielblaze4112]

Where is the genie from Federer in this match? Really, what absurd title!!

[@lodensharp2012]

Exactly what can saying the title is extremely hyperbolic

[@raynerstuelgalid]

The strokes on both wings were already fully-formed then.

[@strongbrain3128]

Opposite view: Roger seemed so frustrated by a veteran player. Judging by this video, Roger would have very rough time in ATP tours. It took him another 5 years to win the first slam.

[@vladraduandrei5227]

rafter was 26 here...not a veteran player..

[@strongbrain3128]

@@vladraduandrei5227 you tell me: 26 yr versus 17 yr = veteran vs. junior

[@danielbogos263]

I don't know why, but always I thought that Roger is a natural talent, a genius, like Einstein of tennis but this video proves otherwise. For sure he had some talent but no experience, so many mistakes but he worked so so much to get to Roger of 2004-2008. Its ridiculous how much he improved over a few years🤣

[@Hirokiji]

Dude. The fact he shot up so quick to become unbeatable was cos of his natural talent. Natural talent doesn't mean he never loses. Rafter became #1 player in the world for a while, he wasn't easy to beat.

[@lodensharp2012]

Fed is incredibly overrated

[@nonody8125]

@@lodensharp2012 Yes over rated. That is why he was 1 point away from defeating 5 years younger Nadal and Djokovic back to back in wimbledon 2019 at almost 38 years of age. It proves that both Nadal and Djokovic was even more overrated since their main rival was a generation older player.

[@annewalden3795]

​@@lodensharp2012Not in my opinion.

[@TheKDX7]

anyone know who is the commentator ?

[@tommykaira8775]

When Roger is trying to become Roger Federer

[@philgarrett5498]

Rafter schooled Roger! 😉

[@robertbeach7942]

I guess I missed the genius part. Most of the match was just Federer getting killed.

[@kofiofosu9051]

Everyone has to get schooled to be able to learn.

[@HCaulfield115]

Fed’s unit turn was longer back then 😮

[@nero1375]

you mean the back swing?

[@HCaulfield115]

@@nero1375 kinda the same thing

[@ajmalartistryandwriteupsam4878]

"PLEASENT ARROGANCE"

[@patrickw9706]

A pleasant arrogance. Flair. A good talker. Yes, that's Federer

[@gretchenlittle6817]

Right? Reminds me of (I think) Oscar Wilde: "if you can fake sincerity, you've got it made" or whatever the actual quote is. Pleasant arrogance is hard to pull off.

[@cliveuuking4602]

Don't let rafter play a backhand volley

[@artax3434]

I think Federer played quite poorly, but Rafter's high backhand volleying was incredible.

[@stevengujsky24]

Commentator says “… this is why I think Federer’s going to be good” LOL! Gee…ya’ think?

[@diegosotomiranda4107]

Yes, thats a good análisis idk what you expect, how they would imagine the career of this 17old apart from (he has some good shots, he could be a great player in the future), when they have seen tons of talented youngsters not living up the hype, you want them to say "this guy Will obviously one of the goats of this sports and Will be gaining gs ay 37" its just bs

[@M.EngelhART]

Interesting: Boris Becker Won Wimbledon When He Was 17 And 18, But Roger Federer Was A Long Way Off Then.

[@limo7041]

bakhand forever being targetted 🤣

[@hirenpatel3699]

It's a pleasant arrogance ..🙌💯🐐

[@charlesgroover9646]

Pleasant arrogance lol 😆 that’s me 💪🏻

[@limo7041]

12:24

[@michelmulkens6133]

A Genius? In this video, Federer is simply ridiculous. Find please other titles for your vids.

[@piyushpriyadarshi2123]

If it ain't broke then dont fix it, bro where's the old intro

[@WivoRN]

It's never gone my friend, I mix between it and the old one when the video is not solely about Rafa!

[@mmabagain]

Genius? All I saw was Rafter thoroughly beating Federer.

[@martinkennedy2400]

...adverts adverts adverts

[@musicfan300]

😗 I didn't know he was related to Justin Bieber😉

[@kiltropablinho79]

Gustavo agassi ?😂

[@kingtrawal]

This Fed kid is all flash and no substance. He'll be off in the tour within 2 years....

[@gurvijaybecker]

Wow how physical the game has become if you compare 17yr old RF to a 17 yr old Alcaraz then RF looks nothing special.

[@nero1375]

right, sawing Rod Laver playing comparing to Alcaraz, Rocket looks nothing special. Pretty smart comparison over generations of tennis, equipment and play style. You even see tennis matches? Or just comment dump assumptions ?

[@gurvijaybecker]

@@nero1375 ah shut up man, stop being butthurt. I like Roger too. Nadal is pretty much of the same generation and even a 17 year old Nadal was a physical specimen compared to Fed of same age. Blind fan boy.

[@diegosotomiranda4107]

@@nero1375 The same with old farts saying "now theres no talent, only hard hitting and grinding, this its not tennis" bs?

[@vladraduandrei5227]

@@diegosotomiranda4107 this , so much this. I ve just turned 27 and am so tired of old fuckers on forums talking about how good tennis was back in the day, when to me from every highlights I ve seen from back then it looks much inferior to nowdays.

[@annewalden3795]

​@@vladraduandrei5227You will have to learn how to express your views without insulting people .

[@chairulb9803]

Federer pensiun agak Mlas nton tenis

[@el_chico1313]

pleasant arrogance xD

[@aryamantaneja8744]

First

[@tatjana509]

and now he is not he is 3 rd Lol

[@franagustin3094]

Rios was more talented than Federer

[@lodensharp2012]

Fed is incredibly overrated

[@lodensharp2012]

Djokovic & Nadal are his superiors at least Djko has beaten Nadal at his favourite surface fed can't say the same.

[@balajay8921]

Oh stop it!

[@nonody8125]

Loden ...... Bullshit. Djokovic beat a worse Nadal in 2015 and 2021 who was injured. 30 yr old Federer defeated peak Djokovic in 2011 in his best season. Djokovic only vultured old Federer (30+ Federer).

[@lodensharp2012]

Not to mention its evident that the majority of his slams were won against mediocore players.

[@canski5646]

Fedsqaush never evoloved his sqaush game and when u watch him he doesn't think he just is relying on the old easy run 2003-2009..he couldn't even beat nadal once at french and only won french because Nadal bowed out from injury that year , lossed to djoki 3 times in a row at Wimbledon finals on his supposed best surface and had the crowds too and still couldn't WIN!!!.. 50% of feds titles came from the B circuit 250/500. He will be known for the greatest watch and running shoe salesman

[@zberteoc]

Was this video meant as a joke? There is nothing "GENIUS" about Federer in this particular game.

[@WivoRN]

He won a set from a 2 time grand slam champion, in his first ever Grand Slam appearance on his least favourite surface!

[@zberteoc]

@@WivoRN that's not a genius feat.

[@nero1375]

no no, it is not. Is very common youngsters in tennis just break a service and won the very first game on his first appearance over a veteran and Slam Champion. You could totally do it, right?

[@zberteoc]

@@nero1375 you don't get it either. That is remarkable but not GENIUS(!!!). If this was genius what was Michael Chang at 17 beating in semifinal at RG Ivan Lendl(gazillion times GS winner) and then winning RG? Also, when Boris Becker at 17 won Wimbledon? What were those? The title is an obvious exaggeration and Federer's game in this particular match is nothing special and probably similar feats were done quite some times even by players who did not become Federer. Federer IS a genius but not in this game! Sorry to disappoint but try to be honest to yourselves.

[@nero1375]

@@zberteoc yep, I understand your point, no problem. But Federer it is what it is, one average or bad game do not serves as argument to diminish him. Yea, Chang has a few games but what? He is a very good player and that is it. I'm saying because you mean more like generalist not in this particular match

[@imelusb1528]

Genius? What then about Djokovic who speaks 8 languages? And yes, regularly beat both Federer and Nadal.

[@nero1375]

Can you love Djoko and not diminish other players?

[@lodensharp2012]

Federer is incredibly overrated, dominated a very weak era that consisted of the likes of Hewitt and Roddick. When he came up against real tennis players he faltered.

[@DiabolicMagicSquare]

go and have your meds...

[@lodensharp2012]

@@DiabolicMagicSquare You should have your meds to you can't accept a differing view point .

[@vijayendranvijay457]

@@lodensharp2012 So you admit both of you should have meds? Saying he is overrated is you not accepting views differing to yours.

[@lodensharp2012]

@@vijayendranvijay457 If you think he's the best more power to you i think he's incredibly overrated, in my view dominated an extremely weak era

[@canski5646]

Fedsqaush is a over marketed watch and running shoe salesman...He doesn't seem very bright and fumbles/bumbles through he post match speeches ... he won 15 slams between 2003-2009 in the easiest era in tennis and the marketing machine took over and the armchair tennis players gobbled it up...when the real tennis players came along novak/nadal his GS record against them is only 33% meaning only won1of 3 tries over his career...Fed is very weak mentally and his backhand equally weak

[@Ben6164]

This is the most ridiculous paragraph I have ever read in my entire life.

[@canski5646]

@@Ben6164 I agree someone saying he was already a genius at 17 is ridiculous..Fed had success with top players when they were not at their best..

[@Ben6164]

@@canski5646 OK? His defeat of Sampras was still significant - and something no-one else achieved to that extent even though he wasn't at his best and it was a "weak era".

[@canski5646]

@@Ben6164 no notable wins or players 2003-2009 very weak era and that reflects in fedsqash easy run once he got some confidence..when djoki/ndal/wawarinka/murray started playing well and winning multiple slams was a strong era

[@Divvy21]

@@canski5646 Nadal was literally apart of that 2003-2009 era? Lol. he was strong in Wimbledon 2007... WImbledon 2008.. All those French Opens, AO 2009.. Federer is 23-3 versus Wawrinka and has never lost to him on any HC, so I don't know what difference he makes against Federer. He actually is 4-1 against Djokovic in the last 5 major meetings, so he impacts nole more than Fed. He also beat Novak at his best in 2011 and 2012 on multiple surfaces and even bagelled him once... also 2009 is not really a weaker year than 2010. Djokovic was actually a better player in 2007-2009 than 2010 lol. If that era is weak, then that means that every slam by others as well are weak too which makes 0 sense. Plus, today is less competitive than some of those years in the so-called "weak era". In the recent wimbledon win from djokovic, he got unseeded Kyrgios in the final and did not face a single top 10 player. By that logic, today is an even weaker era. Nadal once again won multiple slams in those years and Djokovic was already a top player. Also, Wimbledon 2009 was a 5 setter last almost 5 hours.