Strokes of Genius: Roger Federer Bonus

[@wahn10]

I picked up a tennis racquet at the age of 5 and was well into my 20s before ever seeing Roger play in his early years. And it was earth shattering. I had never seen someone play so beautifully and brilliantly. It was like the tennis gods had finally decided to do their best work, all at once. Ever since then, I've been an avid fan, and like many of us I've enjoyed seeing him go through multiple chapters of his life, and grow as a tennis player and as a man. Then, in 2011, I got a chance to see him play at the O2 Arena in London for the ATP Finals. Our seats were right behind the baseline and for the first time I got to watch the maestro up close. His serving motion alone was poetry and precision. And at that angle and proximity you could really appreciate how aggressive and fast he is. "Like a mongoose on amphetamines," as Robbie Koenig famously said. His shot selection was fascinating to watch, as he has both incredible speed of decision-making and the greatest toolbox a tennis player could have. And yet his overall presence was that of a very decent, kind man. That combination of greatness and decency is what made me realize what a rare human being he is, worthy of all the adulation he receives. Oh, and the atmosphere went up to 11 out of 10 the moment he entered the arena, such is the excitement this man produces. There wasn't an empty seat in the house, and the noise the crowd made continually throughout the match -- is something I'd never seen before at a tennis match.

[@thesoccergod]

Great comment. That the Fed's tennis is beautiful has been said so often and by so many that it might begin to grate...but there's no denying the fact that it *_is_* beautiful. As far as I'm concerned, the Fed, through his play, singlehandedly (pun intended) - *_created an aesthetic_* for the sport of tennis; a rubric, if you will, of the combined kinetics of physique and racquet that elevate tennis from being merely sport to being art. In other words: *tennis incarnated itself in Roger Federer* .

[@rudolfdaher]

In one beautiful text in it’s own right, you resumed all the reasons why we love the Fed. Even through his retirement, he gave a great lesson not only of sportsmanship, but of humaneness. In French, Federer means “fédérer”, a verb that can be translated by “to gather” or “to unite around”.

[@aljordan5193]

I think another big factor why he looks so smooth and can pull off amazing shots is because of his relaxed style as his not as physically rigid and stiff as other players and this enables him to generate maximum raquet head speed and have the best feal and touch on the ball.

[@KhanhNguyen-lm7lp]

his racket was the most heaviest

[@vernelledouglas1801]

Very enlightening....His style is the most aesthetically pleasing I've ever seen.

[@goldwolf0606]

I like watching Rafa play more. Dudes got passion. Roger makes it look too easy. It looks nice but I can’t do that. I can try my best though. Vamos!

[@vernelledouglas1801]

Gold Wolf I know what you mean. Been a Rafa fan for years. I Just like the contrast in styles and enjoy them both.

[@johnny71424]

A movie on his life would be a dream come true for me

[@sammathew1127]

johnny71424 Exactly 🤩🤩🤩🤩

[@jonasboeckx6052]

just a matter of time

[@telmolicious]

Is their enough drama in his life though? In his matches yes... His personal life seems a bit too vanilla for a movie. Agassi or Mac would make a better drama

[@goldwolf0606]

Might be torture for you if they focus on Rafa’s effect on him lol...

[@krgnnh]

Same

[@tomerg7265]

I can't describe how much I love this guy

[@AS-js7kb]

Rafa and Roger are so humble for what they achieved. I have seen players at my local club way more cocky and arrogant than these 2 champions.

[@dnangel4277]

LOL same!

[@phengyang2639]

That’s why they can’t get anywhere

[@maureenrobinson1105]

This great man has such magic in him when he plays and when he speaks.I could listen to him for hours.

[@user-zk6yg2wx3h]

I think his humble background has kept him grounded all the way. It's so easy to get carried away with fame and fortune, but he has managed to keep his own integrity as a person. I've always been a fan but I respect him even more now

[@goldwolf0606]

Sharada K Roger was made better with the ascension of Rafa. He’s always been a great winner, he learned to be a good loser when Rafa told him he needs to be a good loser and not just a good winner which made him into an even better winner. Best example was when he beat Roddick for the 2009 Wimbledon Title. Roddick was sooooooo hurt and Roger didn’t celebrate out of respect for Roddick. Also, he used to say Chokovic got lucky when Chokovic beat him like at the 2011 USO, but continual growth and now he congratulates and praises him like at the 2015 USO. His 2017 Aussie victory speech was top notch too when he finally beat Rafa on the grand slam stage again for the first time in 10 years. Made me like Roger even more than I already did. A great champion becoming even greater. And then the stuff he does for Africa and Haiti and Rafa’s academy etc... great guy. It will be sad when Roger retires. And Rafa. That rivalry has taken this sport to another stratosphere. I’m hoping the both reach the Wimbledon final and give us another classic!

[@jaaa8787]

Gold Wolf, why are you lying? Federer did not "learn to be a good loser" because of Nadal. He has always been graceful when losing. Nadal had nothing to do with it.

[@goldwolf0606]

Ja Aa I’m not lying, he used to get all Sissy and say Djokovic got lucky. Search for it. When he was number one from 2004-2008 he so rarely lost, but he lost regularly to Rafa. That bothered him. He was a sore loser always saying things like - on clay you don’t need to have a serve or know how to volley, all you need to do is to run and wait for mistakes. That’s a cheap shot against Rafa because he couldn’t beat Rafa, well Rafa beat him at Wimbledon and Aussie too, he couldn’t say that with a straight face after that. Go watch the Aussie trophy presentation, Rafa consoled him. And Roger learned how to be a good winner there as he did the same for Roddick 2 slams later. Searchbit on KZbin, Roddick testifies to that. Then when Novak started beating him too in 2010 he really became a sore loser. Rafa told him he needed to be a good loser too. Roger and Rafa are good friends because Rafa respects Roger so Roger likes Rafa but Novak wanted to kill Roger so it took more time for Roger to not be a sore loser against Novak. Those words of wisdom coming from Rafa, it changed Roger’s perspective on things. He hasn’t ever called someone lucky since. He congratulated them even in the most difficult losses. Look at his Wimbledon and US Open runner up speeches vs Novak in 2014-2015. Compare it to his 2011 USO Loss. Search it on you tube, listen to the tone in his voice listen to the actual words. 2 different Federer’s. Petty entitled loser VS gracious loser. That change was a direct result of Rafa telling him he needed to be a good loser too. You act as if Roger was born a great champion. He wasn’t. He used to break racquets and get angry on the court. He had to learn how to become a good winner, and then he also learned how to be a good loser.

[@jaaa8787]

You are lying. Federer has always graceful whenever he lost, apart from, maybe, that loss to Djokovic in the 2011 US Open. And those statements were completely blown out of proportion by the Federer haters. And no, Nadal did not tell Federer that he needed to become a good loser. You are lying about that. You are clearly a biased and idiotic Nadal fan who likes to make up false stories about Nadal (and Federer), but you need to realize that they only exist in your weird fantasies.

[@GoldenBell83]

Can you imagine how hard he train at the beginning of his career to be able to play like how he does now? How he can hit the hardest shot so beautifully.

[@ForeverPurpleNGold]

Footwork is what makes Federer so great, then there is the genius part

[@pjchj3599]

Classy man

[@bS-ps4rc]

Roger Federer is very unique person and he is so well in whatever he does with class as always , in tennis promotion and successful career , ambassador of the game, help poor people in some countries, the list goes on .............,,,,,,,,,,,,,. yet still very humble person when meet for an interview and about his sucsess in life ! always have been fan of him and big admiration for many in my eyes and around the gloub! wish him well for Wimbledon next week start. hope number 9 is going to be in the capinant of the trophy (🏆) 😊

[@SirRichieSan]

Yeah, we're gonna need more of this

[@leisurefarm]

This chap is crazy eloquent and persuasive.

[@davidvivsik6576]

Wow that was incredibly informative and interesting. Great interview

[@mhildack]

I love how he makes it seemed like he and his parents had only reasonable discussions when he was a teen.

[@bradleyjacovides994]

?

[@bhawanishsingh]

God bless you Sir Federer

[@davidm2688]

Such a great talent and great human being.

[@dnangel4277]

Great interview!

[@smanla78]

Cant wait to see the full documentary

[@ertugrulkorpinar51]

Smanla Tundup where can I find it ??

[@LuLu-nw6bi]

he seems very excited about telling this story

[@sammathew1127]

He speaks sooo well🤩🤩😘🤩😘🤩😘 He's good in whatever he does...! 1)Plays well 2)Earns well 3)Gives back to the needy through his foundation 4)Respects his parents 5)Role model for the Youngsters 6)Has a great family, even he has done well in this aspect with 2 sets of twins😉 7)Humble guy 8)And even God will be happy for creating him 🤩🤩🤩 #Roger the *GOAT* 👐🏻👐🏻 The Great Great *GOAT* 😍😍😍

[@ravishkumar6979]

Sam Mathew not even the 2nd best player. He is the most classiest and effortless. That is all. Peak Djoko and peak Nadal are better than peak Fed

[@sammathew1127]

Ravish Kumar Oh yea... first think... Last year when Fed was @36.. and Nadal at peak winning many tournaments.. was thrashed.. all the 4 times... There's no peak Nad and peak Djo.. Federer is the best... that's it

[@ravishkumar6979]

Nadal is not 100% fit. Was not last year either. He is winning inspite of knee issues. Both Djoko and Nadal have better H2H record against Federer .When Nadal was 100% fit i.e peak Nadal he reduced Federer to tears. Lol. Also. Nadal- Fed grand slam record is 9-3 for Nadal. Read it again. 9-3. A human with a dot of intelligence would say that Fed is definitely not the GOAT.

[@MopoMogo]

Sam Mathew gay

[@sammathew1127]

Ravish Kumar Whatever.. your views are better when you think from your side...! Now I tell you that.. even If Nadal is at peak.. Fed at this old age..will take him down.. the problem is when Fed plays well the rest loose in the 1,2,3,4th... rounds🤦‍♀️... you can assess something just by numbers...! Because Nadal is no where good when compared to other surfaces than Clay. And still Fed has reached many Finals in Clay tournaments...when Nadal was the best which shows he's not bad @Clay too... Fed plays well everywhere. Now I tell you.. Right now, even if Federer is at his 90% he can take down your Nadal and Djo. Wait n see 😉 Time will tell.......! I have nothing against Nadal and Djo...! Tennis is at this level because of these guys..🤗 as they help each other to improve

[@flowremix]

Inspiring. Awesome!

[@bhawanishsingh]

Go Go King Federer for 21 wimbeldon slam

[@bournejason66]

Good that he didn’t copy anyone’s forehand. His forehand is one of a kind

[@iFreeThink]

I think everyone is susceptible to copying others, so the key might be to message and talk to more people who remind you of something funny, romantic, or "luring."

[@POK2008]

GOAT

[@UbecTennis]

Do you guys know where the full interview is?

[@mukithvr6]

Waiting for the autobiography. Long overdue

[@jayap3557]

can imagine boy Fed crying...he did not quit that habit as an adult ... :-)

[@thewritestuffindy]

All I can think is that John Wertheim must be extremely disappointed in how a documentary version of his book has been made. This thing blows.

[@tonygareth221]

I’m surprised he didn’t mention Ivan Lendl

[@abhilekhhhh]

Who the fuck unliked this great video

[@juanb116]

god of sport

[@andreandree4384]

I don't understand why Nike let such a legend go to uniqlo ??!!!

[@eliasmikealson4476]

He used to slice a lot and then rafa came along.

[@goldwolf0606]

Elias Mikealson LoL.... so true.

[@soheiladam7510]

Elias Mikealson here comes the desperate Rafa fans.

[@goldwolf0606]

soheil adam desperate to kick Rogers ass? 23>>>15 we are desperate for nothing LOL!!!! You are desperate for something to stop the raging bull from reaching 20 LOL!!!!!

[@eliasmikealson4476]

soheil adam I'm a tennis fan who enjoys them both and what i said is a fact.

[@wuugie]

he changed the meta

[@karanvinod2593]

For once he actually looks old now.

[@medhajoshi3363]

Of course, he is almost 37. But regal sort of way, like a matured wine.

[@harrue]

¡Bonus meme?

[@LuLu-nw6bi]

his game is beautiful because of his backhand?? his backhand is the only part of his game that doesn't look pretty, his forehand is the most beautiful ever, his movement is lovely, volleys...

[@tonygareth221]

Lu Lu Dumb. His backhand looks nice

[@wahn10]

I agree. His backhand can be incredibly effective, but it's not the prettiest part of his game. His service motion, for one, is the most beautiful in the sport imo.

[@LuLu-nw6bi]

@@tonygareth221 Dumb. His backhand looks awkward.

[@LuLu-nw6bi]

@@wahn10 Among active players definitely. Sampras if we go back in time a little.

[@user-vp5iy8ec9q]

seems no pushy parent, all comes from himself....i guess he realise there also luck involve, genes & environment etc. make anyone stay humble, e.g wonder how many federer & nadal like players in African countries, he has supported

[@nicklaslouie5693]

Federer was a Sampras fanboy.

[@goldwolf0606]

Nicklas Louie man, everyone after Sampras was a Sampras fanboy. Sampras set the standard until Roger passed him when he beat Roddick in that epic 2009 Wimbledon Final. That was Roddicks best match he ever played in his life. He would have beaten engine else in the world that day but he lost lol.... because of Rogers greatness. That day Roger set a new standard in Tennis and keeps extending it. 20 is the new standard. Freaking crazy man. 20! The only guy with a chance to catch him is Rafa. If Rafa doesn’t do it, it will NEVER be passed. 20 grand slams is ridiculous amount. So amazing. And he’s not done. He’s the favorite at Wimbledon even now at age 36-7 lol...

[@mylink1812]

Gold Wolf and now everyone after Federer is Federer fanboy...

[@gmnboss]

Rafa Nadal's cousin dislikes this

[@janemcginnis173]

Who cares about Rafa Nadal's cousin.....

[@ravindrayeruvakota4365]

Djoker fans are come here to press dislike 👎

[@gagija248]

hahahahahaaha ,movie about tenis without Djokovic,are you serious? Djokovic is best player of all time,only player who won all masters ...

[@jayap3557]

it is not about winning masters...and slams... it is about a certain humility that any human being should show to other players... champions... their parents and others around them...if you cannot be genuinely respectful... and if you always want to be someone else all the time...you will never win the hearts of people...that is the problem with djokovic... it is not about numbers at all...

[@ongdjafebadivoc2958]

What a boring story