Roger Federer: Players are SCARED of world No 2 now more than ever
ROGER FEDERER has become significantly more aggressive on the tennis court and Mats Wilander believes that has made him a more intimidating opponent.
Having dominated the Grand Slams for nearly a decade, winning 16 titles between 2003 and 2010, the Swiss managed just one more over the next six seasons before returning from back and knee injuries last year to win the Australian Open and a record eighth Wimbledon title.
And Wilander, himself a seven-time Grand Slam champion between 1983 and 1988, believes even at 36, Federer now inspires more fear across the net because of his on-court tactics.
“He is playing way more aggressive in the last two years and I think that he has not only figured out how to play but also how to win by playing aggressive,” Wilander said.
“[Coach] Ivan Ljubicic has somehow helped Federer’s confidence and made him understand that you can play like this: very short points, very aggressive and you can still beat the best players in the world because not only are you a better player but you also make the other players worse.
“They are more afraid of you now than they ever were before because you are so aggressive.”
Federer has already started the year well, beating Yuichi Sugita, Karen Khachanov and Jack Sock at the Hopman Cup in Perth without dropping a set.
The world No 2 is a heavy favourite to retain his Australian Open crown with Andy Murray already out while Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are both battling injuries.
But Wilander believes his career might have been over years ago were it not for the influence of Croatian former world No 3 Ljubicic, who joined the coaching set-up in 2016.
“Ljubicic has helped him so much,” Wilander said.
“I think that Stefan Edberg helped him as well. I think all the coaches Roger Federer has had have helped him in many different ways.
“But Ljubicic helped him in not explaining to Federer but in talking and discussing with Federer which is the best way for him to play tennis today and how aggressive he had to be.
“Ljubicic has most probably extended Federer’s career by at least three or four years because of the way he is playing.”
***Mats Wilander will be commentating at the Australian Open for Eurosport. Watch all of the action from Melbourne live on Eurosport and Eurosport Player from Monday January 15.***