Roger Federer Practice at Cincinnati 2015 before the Final

Here is some of the footage i got from the GOAT.
More coming soon!

[@2weakkickflip]

Come on guys the kid must be terrified. He's hitting with the best player in history it can't be easy. I would be so nervous I'd pass out

[@coryCuc]

I know right?!

[@ssenssel]

My palms are sweaty and I'm just watching this at home 5 years later

[@gorakod2499]

@@ssenssel You are the guy in this clip?

[@ssenssel]

@@gorakod2499 Yes. I'm Roger

[@hililala321]

It's like a coaching session more than a practice session for Fed. On a side note, interesting to see Fed always practising at such a pace 100times slower than in real match. He's such a natural talent at competiting.

[@Crosby4hyg]

I feel kinda bad for the guy across the net, he was clearly thinking about it all way too much. Fundamentally his strokes look fine, I think he was just nervous to be playing with the best player in the history of the game so his timing was a little off.

[@alanwang2832]

+Crosby4hyg And you can tell he knew he was lacking, because he kept running around his backhand

[@EJP286CRSKW]

I too am finding this quite incredible. Does anyone here actually _play_ tennis? This is _practice._ You try things. You fail. You try them again, until they work., Or you forget about yourself and feed your practice partner with what he wants, or needs, which may not be the same thing. Roger makes far more than his fair share of mistakes here too. And I could make a few remarks about his volley technique ...

[@alvaromena7548]

@@EJP286CRSKW i think that guy is getting paid

[@EJP286CRSKW]

@@alvaromena7548 I don't know what that has to do with what I said, or why you think so. Tennis players practice with each other all the time for nothing.

[@alvaromena7548]

@@EJP286CRSKW when you get paid you don’t practice for yourself (it has to do with what you said)

[@15Stratos]

Those strokes full of top spin starting at 7:46 are so amazing!

[@bensonnyborja2008]

Roger's hitting partner is a sample of 'TOO MUCH THINKING ON WHAT TO DO WITH THE BALL' , thus he can't show his real strokes. But I won't blame him, playing with the GOAT will do this to nearly everyone.

[@waholoopesorry74]

Not me

[@keithfissel1884]

Glad I read these messages before I stopped watching. I thought this is the last time he’ll use this guy to practice. Makes sense now.

[@billwendt1256]

Somebody said that Roger is hitting with a junior player to give him experience. I think that's the coolest thing ever. Giving back. Teaching. You don't hear of these things but it's what makes them heroes.

[@val943]

+Bill Wendt Wow you have seen a lot of american movies bruh.

[@sjp4565]

they aint heros but american movies wtf

[@billwendt1256]

I'm sorry. You must not have learned that giving back makes you a hero.

[@lobomalsano]

Can we get a confirmation from that "somebody" you say? Or is he just talking crap like you?

[@-Munditimum-]

Considering how nervous the kid probably was, he did great. I'm sure Roger was really cool about it.

[@CincyRoyal]

The hitting partner would whoop all y'all. Deepak ain't no joke son.

[@curiousgeorge6921]

Antonio Williams whats his name

[@CKYu-qg8sj]

very nervous indeed but a very good experience. Roger was really kind to practice with him.

[@FF_AlohaEdition]

great footage. you never know how far back they stand

[@potatorampage]

hitting partner appears to be deepak andrakatini. he was 18 at the time and just graduated high school. despite winning state, im sure this was very nerve-racking, even for him. so no, he is not a paralympic athlete, hes a kid. cut him some slack

[@SpiritDonkey]

potatorampage he sucks very average junior player

[@justinsaehoon]

Spirit Donkey he could probably 6-0 you

[@shreypatel9379]

@@justinsaehoon not probably, he will !

[@manmy016]

18? Anyone who’s actually good is on the circuit at that age

[@smashthestateX]

@@manmy016 nadal, alcatraz, rune, musetti

[@alexandergoldman]

fed is clearly playing with a jr player. i know is be a little nervous playing with the GOAT so yea...cutting the dude some slack

[@PH-TENNIS-CONSULTING]

本当、澄んだインパクトするよな。。

[@dannylin5980]

Im sure were all just saying all this negativity because we aren't the ones actually hitting with him. I dont knw the feeling of how its like facing the greatest player in this entire world(won't). But I know the fact that there will be a lot of pressure building up from these practice partners because come on now....you are playing against the person that knows every single shot in tennis, and literally EVERYTHING you know about tennis, its physics, its techniques, all the talents build in one person. Instead of having all these negativity, think about how you would feel, if you were to hit with the best tennis player in the world, would you have thought the same if you were at that end hitting with Roger?

[@SuperMirtel]

i wud just be happy.

[@Pdwlx4]

The other guy is hitting better than I would. Congrats to him for the honor to hit with Fed.

[@michaelng1990]

Roger practised made tennis super easy, I want to play like that

[@deathbombs]

8:26 WOAH

[@elvis11241]

對面的緊張都能穿透螢幕溢出到我這裡了..跟我第一次找人對拉一樣，看的到球，可是手好像不是長在身上，打不準，不是偏高就是掛網不然就太短。 看完這部片只有四個字 "於心不忍" 跟費德勒打球的機會絕對是所有人夢寐以求的，結果他竟然是這個狀態....打完大概會低潮一陣子..

[@user-mk5pv4zm5c]

I love tennis

[@rock_oclock]

It's a wonder how Fed beat Djokovic after this pre finals practice.

[@gorakod2499]

👍

[@jty9631]

Well, as far as practice goes, a little bit of sloppiness is fine. You don't have to hit a textbook shot every time, and to be honest it probably helps to receive a lot of sloppy shots, because you get more junk shots than perfect textbook shots directed straight at you during a match.

[@dejnaM]

+Stgtaco Aleck EXACTLY

[@flatballrule]

You know I hear Mr. Federer or Nadal hit with some Junior players during practice and that's awesome. I mean basically they can hit with anybody they want but whatever reason they are hitting with them is great thing. As I can see guy is very nervous. I mean all the pros will be feeling the same when he face Federe on the other side of the court.

[@pelilin2519]

Guys I heard from my couch that sometimes you need to train with someone FAAAAAAARRRR lower than your skill. Why is that? To increase your confidence!!!!! Sometimes you train with someone far better than you and sometimes you train with someone far lower than you. IT IS MENTAL!

[@rockettennis5074]

Your couch is so intelligent.

[@reuelray]

this hitting partner is nervous like everybody would be if they had a chance to hit with Roger. this would include everybody on this page commenting

[@nithinchinni]

Is there a way we can practice with Federer. If he is giving opportunities I would love to take one. Hitting with my idol, damn..... :).

[@johnnyg383]

Guy in yellow hit 10% into the net and hit was successful in hitting 90% over the net. I think that is quite good.

[@compilejason]

Probably nerves for the kiddo. Muscling every shot and not moving his feet at all.

[@rock_oclock]

See how Fed actually looks at the ball at time of contact? Where Deepak is just spotting the incoming ball and looking his target at time of contact. This is why his mishitting/shanking so many balls.

[@jorgewsanabria]

The other guy is clearly nervous. LOL. But what an experience for him. Lucky guy!

[@hurricane3458]

Roger’s partner is really nervous?? But why was he chosen to be a partner just before the final😮

[@deathbombs]

2:58 LOL!

[@sneakapeek2577]

right!

[@johnnyg383]

Just having that many people watching would make me nervous, then having to hit to Mr Federer...

[@TheB3nj]

Look like a litte bit nervous the sparing at the start

[@MiguelXABI14]

This is like how we thinks that we play and how we really play XD

[@sheriffouad2144]

Guys, anyone can give us the string tension he used that day? The impact feels so powerful and effortless (of course aside from the RF97 weight and Roger fluidity).

[@jkantner152]

usually he uses between 48-52lbs in the mains and 44.7-48.7lbs in the crosses. Although I don't know exactly what hes using here.

[@JustMyOpinion05]

Sherif Fouad actually the comment above is wrong. Federer has 59 in the mains and 56 in the crosses.

[@sheriffouad2144]

Thank you Jeff, thank you 93football4life, actually I also made some search and both of you are correct. Roger at the time of using RF97 v.10 (the 2014 model here - which I am playing with) he was know as the "king of loose strings" sometimes he really reached 45 lb and I got this info from his stringer (a service company called Priority 1, serving most of the champions on annual contract basis). Now with the new racket (2017 black model v.11) he really started to raise up his tension and I have seen a video of Roger himself at Dubai couple of weeks ago saying 26-27kg which as you said end of 50s. Thank you guys anyway,,

[@jkantner152]

yeah I saw the dubai video and such since making my comment. I knew he was using loose string for some time, but I didn't realize he switched to that tight.

[@sheriffouad2144]

Me too, I know Roger was on very loose tension for a long time. And what makes me surprised is that Black RF97 is same specs like the previous model. I seen Hopman cup 2017 with the new RF97 frankly notable decrease in his power.

[@bencho919]

After a few seconds of watching the video I knew the comment section was going to be all about the training partner... lol

[@yys5919]

The kid looked so nervous lol

[@giacomosolbiati4957]

did they get Federer's opponent from the public...?

[@sneakapeek2577]

some dude from the valet!

[@SpiritDonkey]

Giacomo Solbiati looks like a public court hack where did they get this guy?

[@cedricwee2289]

u talk so much why dont u hit with fed ? go ahead and record i wanna see

[@rockettennis5074]

Top spin players normally need more effort to hit stably. The guy as a top spinner, made a lot fault hitting balls at nets.

[@wallaceyallup2565]

I think he just needed to move his feet more; it appears he was blinded by The Maestro's presence, and not seeing the ball until it just passed the service line, on his side. Do you notice he doesn't really get into position, until it's too late. Oh well, good on him for being picked to be a hitting partner. That's a SHHUGE Honor.

[@sorenkirksdjfk7310]

who is he practicing with?

[@TheRabbitpaws]

I know this is probably a noob question but, which one is Federer?

[@zzzzz968]

+Darth Rabbit Closer one

[@alanchong7513]

Haha. You don't follow the tennis tour?? Player closest to the camera is Federer. Great watching thw action so close. Thanks.

[@alanchong7513]

The camera position really makes a difference to the viewer. This position would increase TV viewers if they used it more! It's unreal!

[@alanchong7513]

Federer and all the pros are great to watch from this angle. Really get a sense of the power of the shots!

[@gmnboss]

lol

[@youngmyth]

The kid hit just fine. Couple balls more than ideal into the net, but otherwise, good net clearance etc etc. We're biased because his technique obviously is not as smooth as Fed. p.s. search around for vids, you'll see pros hit worse in practice on an off day

[@TheKangstdagangster]

I know this kid!! He is actually very good. I have never seen him play this bad before.

[@youen1821]

I think Deepak is high and tripping.

[@aidn5965]

9:02 did he just get the ball with his shoe?

[@uchralchonos7041]

his hitting partner isn't even D1 level... but nervous maybe caused it

[@sooyoungmoon1530]

Even when he's playing with some random kid, his class doesn't go anywhere.

[@ismailedoomun8006]

Who's he hitting with

[@kevinmcdonnell9543]

who's federer

[@kiohnam6269]

Well the opposite player seems to be nervous. He makes errors a lot.

[@Jlymansackhead]

This kid looks to be a decent local high school player. Maybe he won a tournament or contest to get to hit with the pros, or maybe his dad is just rich or knows the owner of this tourney. Either way, the kid is about a 4.0 that can hang with a 4.5 or 5.0 in practice only.

[@jawadalam4409]

Jesse Kirkland this guy has partnered with murray and djokovic as well and he is quite good

[@davidli105]

he's a 4 star recruit. No way 4.0.

[@ismailedoomun8006]

​@jawadalam4409 what's his name

[@tomoya1312]

The practice partner are using a racket with too high tension I think

[@callummurphy4671]

Plot twist, the bloke in the yellow is Denzel Washington

[@alvaromena7548]

Not a good day at the office for the sparring

[@rock_oclock]

Fed probably hasn't hit with someone like this since juniors.

[@andresgarcia6337]

I have been playing for over 20 years and I’m pretty sure that if I were hitting against Federer I’d hit most of my balls into the net. Give the kid a break

[@ttttkk2]

what shoes does Federer wear?

[@ishanmodi3072]

Vapor 9.5 tour

[@sneakapeek2577]

he's like a 3.5..... maybe 3.5

[@Andrea1491to]

At last federer won that final XD

[@TheSpacien]

if I were federer I would have sit on the side of the court , seriously how do they choose the practice partner ?

[@ace-star4650]

Stgtaco Aleck I'm

[@masha1980]

Why is Fed hitting with a 4.0?

[@forgotmyname2462]

masha1980 why is he not hitting with you? Maybe because this guy in yellow is 10 times as good as you

[@BrunoJuncklaus]

nervous

[@superstrato9571]

Awa

[@eribaldoyes3883]

Worsssst partner ever.

[@henryng9406]

Didn't realize the guy in yellow was a kid, thought he was feds hitting partner. Forehand looks stiff.

[@jeanbobbb]

The other guy must have paid big bucks to practice with Roger. God.damn sheiks ruïning everything:P

[@Laslo96]

+jeanbobbb acctualy it is the players that requests who they hit with, fed probably dont give a fuck about some sheiks money. He is loaded anyways.

[@standocaruso6289]

1:45 um brasileiro falando que isso ksskkskss

[@hymansahak181]

Hitting partner’s first step to the ball is awful. Look at Roger, he takes his first step as soon as his opponent strikes the ball.

[@mkbaharris]

i know this kid must be nervous but he can hardly get a ball over!

[@xFlared]

+Matthew Harris I think majority of great players who played their whole life would feel like they held a racquet for the first time if rallying against Federer . Just imagine the adrenaline rush he's going through, he's lucky he didn't pass out. Mardy Fish withdrew in 2011 from U.S. open when getting a rare match up against Fed because he had a panic attack. He didn't even step on the court. It's really a psychological thing. When seeing greatness before your eyes you feel like everything about you is minuscule, and you become paralyzed.

[@mkbaharris]

oh yes am sure! ive had it just playing the greatest at my club lol

[@aslytonio4248]

+Admiral Ackbar For a full story about Mardy Fish, written by himself: www.theplayerstribune.com/mardy-fish-us-open/

[@user-lv9dq1jk3s]

相手ミス多い？？

[@thehandseesall]

Hahahah, That dude's just stinking up the court!

[@avista4312]

Whoever it is he is hitting with has below average strokes on both sides. Regardless of his nerves, his strokes need serious work.

[@AceDerflinger]

Lee Farkas teach him

[@avista4312]

I would school him....

[@AceDerflinger]

Wow! Nice!! Well i guess you were also able to hit with top players like him? show us vids of how you hit not just talk HAHA

[@avista4312]

Come to Chicago and we'll hit a few....

[@AceDerflinger]

Lol. So you're saying ill fly there just to see you? what if you are a total garbage then i waste so much time. Post first if you are really good or what. Btw im not even pro so if you are as "pro" or as big as you talk then im not worth your time go compete in ATP

[@syedhaniraza]

he is some Indian I guess. college level player

[@khurmiful]

I could do, just as bad. Is this what hitting partners are called?

[@TeniskiChampion]

I do love Fed. He will always be the most talented player ever. But sadly Djokovic is GOAT (too much discipline, absolute machine). He will surpass feds 17 grandslams. I see him ending up with 20-22 grandslams by the end of his career.

[@bragas6617]

Nick ZS are you still being sure about that? 36 years = Healthy 30 years = In pain with his elbow

[@user-gj2um5hx9s]

lol

[@wakandatennis]

Roger is 20 , Novak 14 .. 3 years later it goes so quick in sport

[@flicks1994]

@@wakandatennis and another 3 goes even quicker Novak 19 Roger 20

[@rock_oclock]

His hitting partner kinda sucks. He's framing every other shot.

[@skyjuke2006]

NULL!!!

[@Jlymansackhead]

It's just painful to watch such a rhythmless and sporadic player hit with Fed.

[@supertrex2]

tag hirap din pala si Federer mag rally pag balabog yung bigay ng bola.

[@nitinchugh5589]

Yeah, even I am amazed, who is federer hitting with, Federer would also be amazed, who is practicing with him. Looks like some school boy who has been playing tennis hardly for a year. This is shocking.

[@zeranwang9411]

+Nitin Chugh guess what, all other players were gone before final except Novak, and so... I guess

[@nitinchugh5589]

+Zeran Wang I totally thought of that, but I have seen a lot of time Federer and Nadal hitting with players who don't play on the Pro tour, but have never seen something that pathetic.

[@gamerN77]

+Nitin Chugh He was good enough for Fed to win the final ..

[@nitinchugh5589]

That credit goes to Federer, that he could win, despite hitting with him :P

[@dautayvakeongot]

badly "waiter"...!!!!!

[@user-mw4fu3yh5p]

相手さん下手すぎん？

[@lammie001]

His hitting partner might be nervous but still he sucks. He has 0 wins on the itf tour

[@user-fx6gb8lg4u]

フェデラーの練習相手メッチャヘテーし笑

[@jackamano3911]

これなら俺のほうがもっとまともに返球できるよ。 ヒッティングパートナーポンコツすぎるw

[@youen1821]

Are you serious?? Who the hell is fed hitting with he sucks!

[@gamerN77]

+You En Federer is often hitting with young players, especially since everybody's already gone as he practices for the final. And he probably won't practice with Nole. Plus, look at Federer, he doesn't need to practice his groundstrokes. The man has played for 30 years and just wants to be on court a bit before the match.

[@Laslo96]

+You En it is fed who requests to play with him so its not like he is a bad player. If fed wants to play with him who are you to say that he sucks? Besides he was good enough to hit with dimitrov and murray was well.

[@HitMeOnMyPeja]

+You En lol, Rogi is PISSED!!! fuming inside. this guy giving him balls all over the place. one ball high, next ball low. one ball out one ball in. one ball short one ball long. LMAO. Is this real life?

[@Chris-jo3nb]

+Magnus Holt I agree. A lot of "armchair" tennis players giving advice to the pros :)

[@raydm4015]

practice partner was pretty useless lol

[@spanosa7]

that guy is too noob.. id hit some practice winners to federer :P

[@lammie001]

omfgni have never seen a worse hiting oartner ever. he would lose at my club. jeeeezus

[@Drummerjack1980]

poor spectators in this would hope to see some good rallies. but then this dude on the other side...seems like fed chose some paralympic athlete...

[@user-cu5xw5ri9u]

Federer's practice partner is too bad, right?

[@iMMORTAL-bn5rv]

Omg pretty awful practice

[@Jlymansackhead]

Roger Federer hitting with a 3.5 club player. Very rare, but annoying as hell to watch.

[@raysurx2010]

Ok enough of the excuses this hitting partner sucks!! Hit the damn ball!!

[@alanchong7513]

If you get to hit with Federer, you have to be good. This guy is fine. Federer is not complaining.

[@alexvien3654]

Horrible. His hitting partner is shanking left and right. I could rally with Roger better than this

[@alexvien3654]

+listen to my mixtape its fire I would not make a claim like that if I couldn't back it up. I'm a 5.0 level player. I'm not assuming.

[@alanchong7513]

+Alex Vien Hahah. Well said!

[@lucaantetomaso2969]

This guy is the worst practice partner ever.

[@raysurx2010]

My daughter who is 15 can hit harder and is more consistent than this guy and can keep the ball deeper!! Geez! His balls are short, he barely gets it over the net! Roger must have felt pity, or he would have said enough!!