Steal Roger's Secret Strategy - Federer vs Djokovic Analysis

[@danielyu2198]

Step 1: Learn how to serve

[@alvinramali1739]

I actually CANT serve

[@tarunkumarreddy8295]

I think your comment is the only one with sense in it.

[@surge4545]

Fr

[@miguelbarahona6636]

Bad news, you won´t serve like Roger. Good news, you won´t play against Djokovic, either. Just a joke! Look at 0:10.

[@amondene]

It looks like Roger's incredible serve is doing a lot of the heavy lifting in these sequences. He's not winning outright off the serve, but setting up a high % finisher off the short ball return

[@danpicocfp6276]

Ian, thank you for this explanation. Additional to what you explained in the ls illustration, is the fact that even if you do not win the point you are wearing down your opponent. At the club level (or all levels) this is very powerful.

[@deovolente4622]

Dude I'm glad to see how much your views have gone up! The analysis is perfect and really helps all levels of players. There's always something to learn and I can only imagine the effort you put into your content. Appreciate it man!

[@ispeakasiplease]

omg this is the best tennis channel on the whole INTERNET...I've been waiting for analysis for YEARS...they do it for basketball, football, etc...this is great

[@CL83biker]

I have watched many of your videos, you really made the playing strategy plain and simple. No nonsense and deliver it superbly. Appreciate the effort you have put in.

[@Enemji]

I love how you analyze and support the strategy and not just claim/publish strategies of how to play.

[@rajatisivan381]

This goes to show the importance of practicing serves. Most of your audience learnt this game as adults. We obsess over ground-stroke techniques. We (average adult 4.0 players) are happy to get the serve in at a decent pace. A whole lot can be achieved by spending time on improving serve placement. Then it is possible to run plays. This separates the average 4.0 player and a strong 4.0 player

[@Tg10101]

So true!!!

[@KH-ks7si]

More like 4.0-4.5

[@RameshTim]

So right. Without a good placed serve, even with excellent ground strokes, I am unable to finish points

[@peterslater2742]

Good comment. The Serve is the MOST important shot in Tennis yet along with the RoS its the least practiced by Club players.

[@pereira1801]

Totally agree, but who's gonna consistently pay to rent a court only to practice serve?

[@alexeysytnikov2529]

Hi there! Thank you for a great level of explanations, pace and technology you use. That's great content!

[@shuwb]

I like the whole idea of serve strategy. Serve #1: 115 mph on the mid-line. That works. Serve #2: Hit the outside of the line about 5 feet up the box. Yeah that works too. Point well taken though, that at our level this kind of precision isn't possible without an element of luck; but serve location to begin a point is a powerful tool. Good stuff. I know I am only one voice, but please don't resort to cutsie little video titles like Will does. I cringe at them and at the video Will MAKES us watch to get to the content we want to see. Don't do that, I've actually drifted away from his site that I used to love because of it!

[@kurtalmquist]

great vid. Federer is amazing. plus Joker- I always ask my players " what is your strategy" they have to think about it. Most say to to "out rally there opponent". I my self just pepper the back hand intel something breaks down and take the short ball and move in. I always say if you know what your doing before you do it you don't have to guess, for me "i'm going to hit it to the back hand" oh in a comment below some one said you need to practice your serve this video seems to prove. well Practice i have read before are lopsided. To start a point you have to serve, then next point is return. then 3 ground strokes and most of the time it starts over. An hour of practice should be 15 minutes of volleys, 15 of ground strokes, 15 of returns, 15 of serves.

[@TennisUnleashed]

Nice to see Essential Tennis adopting what we started and continue to perfect. Match analysis that can help the masses. Keep it up. -Jason

[@EssentialTennis]

Always love your work, Jason!

[@alexvienv]

I love this analysis. I feel like Djokovic was guessing on that one where Federer hit cross court, maybe subconsciously he felt Federer had hit in that direction before. I love the concept of “plan your points”. Take it one point at a time and plan so you can put yourself in a successful position in the match overall.

[@marcgabor9690]

Fantastic! I have a pretty good serve and this one guy I play with is always trying to to hide his backhand. He has a great forehand server return and really punishes my second serves. I end up hitting more double faults against him because I feel like I have a narrower target to hit to get to his backhand. This is a great play that I'm going to have to start taking advantage of. Thanks!

[@zaidaffandi]

Great informative video. Thanks

[@tennishawks5438]

Great stuff, I love how you make this clear and so easy to understand. I am hoping your next video you uncovers the next layer of the onion so to speak. Once Novak is leaning that way, how Fed makes him off balance. For example in doubles, I generally serve down the T on both sides, get net man to close down the middle and see if the returner hits around the net person equally well on both sides. The next variation is to serve wide both sides, the net person should cover down the line shot, so what does the returner do? The next layer of the onion could be jamming them in the body etc, for a long taller returner. This way, you can make a comprehensive analysis of this play. Many thanks!!

[@EssentialTennis]

Awesome idea, Hawks!

[@cafonsec]

Congrats, Ian! You have such a great knowledge and fluency and now with this tech gear support, it's truly amazing.

[@EssentialTennis]

Appreciate the kind words!

[@Yanzgraphics]

I'm not a tennis player and didn't know how to play. But I like watching tennis and mostly Grandslam tournaments. I only play tennis in Virtua Tennis Pro. Before it was easy but since I've started play the hardest difficulty, it's almost impossible to win. It tooks me months to finally win against a strong backhand player after I watch one of your videos. Now, I'm having trouble with groundstrokes player. Hopefully it will not takes me month again. So, I appreciate your videos. Keep it guys.

[@ibf2010]

Thank you - great video - I will be sharing this with my kids, both of whom play tennis. The way you broke down the analysis is perfect for them as well as for me

[@EssentialTennis]

Glad it was helpful!

[@leonardodasilva8984]

Your passion and love for the game is inspiring. Keep up the amazing videos! Wish you the best of luck for the future!

[@madhavgupta3996]

Have been looking for Roger strategy and yes!!! Yours was the best

[@bigrobsydney]

Jeff, strategy is super important, no doubt. Part of the discussion is about "intended" shot, vs "actual" shot. Players will need a degree of competence, in order to achieve this. You can have the best strategy in the world, but if you don't know which end of the racket to hold, it's all for nought. Assuming they know the mechanics / technique, some interesting observations about technique become apparent. All the good players know how to hit a ball now. What separates the very best, is strategy. What bugs me, is when I watch players go up against the greats (Serena, Roger, etc), and instead of playing a strategic match, they just hit back to the opponent, up the middle. The greats then take the initiative, and hit to the sidelines, build the point, then close. Why, oh why, do so many players not take the initiative on discretionary balls?

[@leebr2010]

Very helpful video Ian. This is what I need more of. Singles (and Doubles) strategy analysis, patterns of play, etc. Thanks for your intelligent and concise analysis.

[@cinema927]

I have a very good slice serve on the deuce side. I ran this play repeatedly in my match yesterday -- hitting inside out forehands and cross-court backhands to the open court on the 3rd shot throughout the first set. In the second set, I was able to run the same play but instead of always hitting cross-court, I was able to wrong-foot my opponent by hitting behind him as he started lofting his returns to give himself enough time to hustle to the other side of the court before I could hit the 3rd ball.

[@luckybaby100]

Great content and explanation

[@mikeso5963]

Ian, this is your best of best videos. Two thumbs up!

[@MrZener11]

in both shots, which were sitters for roger, he went for the cross court, Novak guessed that for 2nd shot, he would now go cross court as per previous shot. Roger being a bit defensive going for longer part of the court hitting a cross shot.

[@disturbia1378]

Had to comment twice because I remember commenting once asking you to do more of these analysis types of videos (not sure if that's why you made this but I don't care haha). Thank you, would love to see more of these analysis types of videos!!! 💯💯💯

[@practiquemos]

These videos are terrific!! Thank you 😃🙌👏👏

[@other_fake_name2866]

Really helpful! Super clear and well explained, keep it up!

[@topspin9430]

Terrific stuff, Ian! This is the sort of stuff I've been clamouring for, mate! This is the sort of stuff I've come to expect from you. Really sorry to see Kevin go, but really pleased at how you've raised your game over the past few videos. Keep up the good work, Ian... and you know you'll always have my support. Cheers!

[@MikeOwen78]

Love your interactive display and demonstrated strategy for frequently occurring situations.

[@debbiegilbert46]

Yes Ian, plz keep doing this! easy to follow and understand- appreciate the singles, but play doubles and would like to see some more analysis/strategies for that too. Thx!

[@johanneperron3098]

Very well explained and helpful. Analysing Thiem's killer one-hand backhand would be great! Thanks!

[@perryborg8357]

Would like to see Federers slice strategy analysed - he uses it as a short cross court return of serve on the ad side and when hes getting hammered on his backhand he slices it back cross court, gets a cross court return, then slices down the line which is also returned cross court giving him a forehand. Both seem super effective.

[@mohamedmada4159]

You just made my day, oh please keep it up doing that content. I just can't get enough of strategic planning . Thanks so much . Ps. The first one was a guess obv, the second however feels more like a read which eventually didn't help much ahahahh. (Wawrinka vs djokovic)

[@EssentialTennis]

Glad you're enjoying the videos, Mohamed!

[@madhavgupta3996]

@@EssentialTennis so am I!

[@thomasocallaghan9145]

Great stuff, he's reading Roger's right foot. I'm shocked the body serve has disappeared in men's tennis. Also tired of the deep approach shots that get fed to the baseline, the short Chip approach/drop shot used to be Roger's fav shot, especially against the super Western grips of Rafa and Novak.

[@sdog8i840]

Really interesting video. Enjoy this type of content. Great that you're moving in this direction. As you said yourself the technique for forehands, backhands etc. has already been covered by Essential Tennis and different tennis channels. So breaking down strategy is fresh and exciting content. How about you break down these strategies. Then ask regular 4.0, 4.5 and 5.0 players to try to implement these strategies in games. Show the pro doing it first. Then explain how you've taught this strategy to a 4.5 level player and show the video of them executing it. Could be a whole series of you teaching certain strategies to different 4.5, 5.0 players and then you could experiment as to which strategies have been most effective.

[@thomasgavris855]

First of all I'm pretty sure it was a read since a down the line shot with a closed stance is quite a difficult shot and Roger typically hits dtl with a more open stance. Second, Ian please keep them coming I can't get enough of these. I've always felt there was a lack of "advanced" tactics on KZbin so this is perfect

[@ivanmikhaylov9670]

I would love to see a breakdown of Nadal´s tactic(s)...e. g. analysing how he sets up his point in order to hit his forehand inside out/inside in. Great content btw!

[@EssentialTennis]

Good to know, thanks for the feedback!

[@gonzaloallen-perez5180]

It was awesome how we got to see behind the scenes of Fed’s greatness. Could you do a video on David Ferrer, I’m astounded with how he managed to be top 3 in the world with just grit and good strategy.

[@hellaciousaffairwebseries2051]

I partial agree... I think Novak like his backhand and he is more confident in that shot...he might still want a forehand though and also he has more extension with his one handed forehand than a two handed backhand... stretching someone out is always a great play... I would love to see some WTA matchups as well with the same strategies

[@pearlynmook7491]

Thanks so much for this video!It really works!I would have barely noticed this pattern.Thank you!

[@RS-on5zg]

Thanks, Ian! I've been working on my slice backhand as an offensive shot. Can you show how Ash Barty does this so effectively?

[@jibraeelchenia9791]

I was wondering if you could make a vid on movement and court positioning for Djokovic maybe. Great content btw.

[@EssentialTennis]

Awesome idea!

[@topspin9430]

Oh, yes, please! Superb suggestion!

[@Rick-ou6wy]

I need that very very much!

[@firewizzard86]

Leave out prime minister alone yanky.

[@RW-ws9dp]

Wow, more singles strategies!!! Any quality player honestly...also your recap was great. Just efficient strategies.

[@Sandrat212]

For the next video, I'd go with any women's doubles pairings. Building on your idea of a play in this video, show how in women's doubles they set up a play between the two of them. Serve to a certain spot, partner does x, etc.

[@EssentialTennis]

Awesome idea!

[@disturbia1378]

Love love love this analysis type of video!!

[@SM-qk7jv]

Thank you so much for all the content that you've released. It has massively improved my tennis skills. 🙂👍

[@EssentialTennis]

So good to hear that, S M!

[@topreviewer100]

7:21 it's tough to say why he moves to his right but because he starting moving BEFORE Roger hits the ball, I would say he was guessing based on experience in past matches. They have played so many times before and know each others games. When I play someone that I have played often before, I can anticipate ball placement more easily.

[@fabiozapletal_FZ4U]

I particularly would like to hear and see comments based on players with a strong backhand slice and the likely strategies they normally use with this weapon. Congrats on this new format. Fabio from Brazil 🇧🇷

[@rohitpratap4174]

This is fabulous insight. The subsequent correlation for our games is priceless. Thank you. Could you please share your insight on how Djoker can take down the King of Clay on clay strategically with the weapons they possess?

[@yushi124]

You should definitely keep on making these strategy/analysis videos. They are really good!

[@PlanterMan]

Great video. Few tips. 1) The last 3min was the most valuable, show more of this. 2) You do not need to show the original pro shot 5x. Once regular speed, and once slow-mo is enough, that will save you 2-3 min of time, and make your videos more enjoyable to watch.

[@solo-angel]

Great video! Please, do more of those!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 👏👏👏

[@vaibhavm8043]

Out of that and so many other tactic plays, he could have lit executed just one...any one of those at Wimbledon 2019. Btw great video Ian, got to learn alot. ❤️

[@ricardoleizer]

Excellent video.. very sharp analysis... tyvm... ill make sure to follow ur channel for more.. cuddos !!!

[@lewisartuk]

Found your videos today. I love the detail and information. Interested in Felix Auger Aliassime.

[@meinewahrnehmung4594]

Great. Please give more analytic like these, please all so made of real Matches. Thanks

[@ThaoNguyen-oq4vo]

I would love to see some breakdown of WTA matches like Hingis and Serena’s showdown in 2001 AO. That or maybe Henin and Dementieva 2009 AO. Those matches were so highly contested and high quality.

[@mpk158]

Great information! I would like to see women’s doubles strategies.

[@EssentialTennis]

Appreciate the feedback, MpK!

[@DeeeFoo]

Excuse my ignorance, but is the strategy for women's doubles different from men's? How about for mixed?

[@rolinti9146]

DeeeFoo women’s and men’s doubles are pretty similar really, but the strategy for mixed is quite different

[@paulmiller5777]

Great video! Really enjoyed the analysis. I’m a lefty and just realized I’m spending too much time trying to vary my serve when I should be happy to get a predictable backhand return

[@pauljohnson6019]

Hello Paul.

[@rahulms1998]

In the second video, especially with Roger's forehand capability of changing directions of forehand the last minute... it makes difficult for the opponent to read the ball positioning and predict where the ball must be placed to make a winner. So opponent obviously makes a guess ( and luckily correct this time) and moves. BTW great analysis and study on the game... Loved it and waiting for more videos to come....

[@FilipeMonteiiro]

I wondering If you could make a vídeo teaching what is The best moment to hit any specific serve, like, "in The beegining of The game, is better you try serve open or next to The T line". Thanks!

[@CesarAFT]

I'm always happy when you analyze Federer's videos. He has the best technique so we can learn so much about it. Nothing against the rest of the players, but, for example, I don't think it's the best idea to analyze and try to copy Nadal's forehand weird technique with that finish above his head. Anyway... thanks Ian!

[@SJ-di5zu]

Nadal’s technique is great. It comes down to preference. Federer has copied many aspects of Rafa’s forehand over the years

[@disturbia1378]

@@SJ-di5zu Can you explain which aspects? Not trying to be sarcastic, I'm genuinely asking. Thanks!

[@luigimugliett500]

Love your tactical analysis videos. Thanks for these. Andy Murray next?

[@emiledufour5412]

This is what I am looking for! Too mutch technique videos on youtube. Good work!

[@KaizenPhotography]

I think it is a read based on his playing Federer previously. He went to his right both times in the clips you shared - which should set up his backhand, which you identified as his slightly weaker stroke. He’s playing to where Federer usually hits.

[@riyajagadish7339]

Thank you so much! This video has been so helpful. I was wondering if you could do a video on Coco Gauff or Naomi Osaka. Tysm

[@kersa96]

Just started getting into tennis (as a viewer, not a player) but holy shit this video was amazing. definitely will be watching more of you!

[@EssentialTennis]

We appreciate the comment!

[@jaronbendana2870]

Awesome Vid Ian just continue the channel

[@Mrfarfanni]

Excellent analysis! Thank you for sharing this interesting information

[@mathiaspfister9449]

Hi, I'm watching your videos quite a while now. Keep up your amazing work, really appreciate your well explained and structured vids, especially the strategy stuff.

[@Lenamo23]

I am actually enjoying Ian's solo performance on ET channel. Thanks, Ian!

[@coffeedude2024]

Hi Ian, some great tips and analysis there! If you could do a video on Nadals or Murrays strategy in points as these guys are two of the smartest players on court. Thabks Ian!

[@louisedwyer4061]

I love the new graphic screen and the example is really good thank you, can you perhaps next do a ladies Strycova or Kenin?

[@Tennis_John18]

another great video Ian!

[@manoj4859]

Great work Ian..I am your fan..love your passion..and I love tennis..so, great work..keep going..

[@EssentialTennis]

Thanks so much!

[@tenglao4269]

Thanks for this good presentation, great job

[@ravendrasinghrawat5784]

Great video to watch. Ah man, if I have such an accurate serve like RF, I too will hit next shot to Novak's backhand even without thinking. 😊

[@mervatameen646]

That was a great video! Thank you! Will you please make another explaining where to hit when your opponent is a left handed. Thank you

[@shirin8402]

Great content! In Depth explained. Thanks much for your efforts! Please do guide me on:- No matter how much I practice, my many serves are faults, or so easy to return. What's the problem?

[@shirin8402]

Thank you in advance Coach Ian :)

[@mrmaxmo1670]

great analysis- I will use this game plan more

[@kutayyurtsever3619]

Very useful insights! in the last example, wouldnt it be also an option to hit backhand or to oppoents back, as he would be anticipating a shot to the open space and moving towards there? Would be nice to see plays where hitting behind the opponent would make most sense, as this is a ball that is less likely to be reached. thank you

[@alisonspray7782]

Love seeing these breakdowns. The drawings are a great help.

[@sahityachandra7645]

Great video sir 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@deathbond2780]

I think Novak’s reading him, as he has gotten to play fed so many times to the point were he can read his strokes and positioning efficiently

[@gmnboss]

vice versa right?

[@farhansiddiqi6668]

@@gmnboss Federer is not a power player, but touch player and strategist so reading novak would not have the same effect since novak with his power game will still be able to put roger on the back foot. Lets just give the same racquets that fed used to play in early 2000s and see what happens.

[@andrewlubbers3198]

@maccajoe Djokovic would be so screwed

[@kingsaif7328]

Thats not true completely, federer was injured in Australian open.

[@bombyx3890]

Thank you for the video i really hope you get more famous one day

[@Portadabolsa]

Would be very interesting analyzing Dustin Brown strategy to defeat Nadal at Wimblendon 2015. Amazing well executed game plan by Dustin. Thanks a lot!

[@sushant10088]

Hi Ian. Could you also do similar strategy examples for playing against left-handed players? That would be pretty interesting too!!!

[@weltonobarbs]

The last positioning on the server isn't what I see normally when playing in the club. Sometimes I put a lot of spim placing the opponent all the way out of the court, strengthing to return the serve. But because the ball is way too out of their forehand, somehow they can return the ball in a terrible angle for me, on the right side of the court but super close to the net going out of the court.

[@intrametaarchi1015]

Federer also uses the Fibonacci sequence, useful info, thanks.

[@Utuberj0sh]

Hi long time fan of your channel here! Iove these! Your videos have such high quality! 2 players my short Asian ass finds really inspirational are Nishikori and Diego Shwartzman. Neither have the flashy power shots that the slightly taller pros do and I would think they need to rely even more on using brain, shot placement, and strategizing! Maybe we can explore one their games! 🙏😁🎾

[@Utuberj0sh]

Using their brain*

[@bodelange]

Thanks Ian! For your next analysis, please consider a righty versus a lefty...

[@ethangoss-alexander2527]

I'd love to see a breakdown of Thiem's backhand against a high ball. He is so so good at it, so I'd love to see it compared against some other great one handed backhands that don't handle the high ball as well. Maybe a Nadal forehand vs Thiem & Federers backhand would be a good way to show it? (This request comes from a 1HBH player who crushes winners from knee high balls and looks like a muppet when the ball reaches shoulder height...)

[@lachlanhawkins3475]

How about an analysis of the famous tiebreak between Kyrgios and Federer at Miami 2017? Also some Wawrinka strategy would be fantastic!

[@stevekinslow]

Great stuff! Plan your points - got it!

[@miguelbarahona6636]

7:10. Based on results, Djokovic is reading Roger, specially on big points in GS .

[@jasieljeevan132]

I think so as well

[@ytchrisd]

Great video explained very well but as I don't play singles I would like to see these sorts of analysis on doubles strategy please

[@TeresasSweets]

I love this analysis so much!

[@EssentialTennis]

Great to hear. Awesome job with your videos!

[@9cstephangeldenhuys252]

Love this cind of vid😍