Tweet
There's a story behind most of my photos of Roger Federer, but let me share one from this month's Tour Portrait.
Please click here to see the album: https://www.tennisplayer.net/members...eys_overheads/
This shot looks simpler frozen than it was in real life. Live, it was one of the most difficult single shots I've seen and the sheer speed Fed showed at, what was he then, 37 yo impressed. Fed was playing the final of Indian Wells, what seems like a decade ago in "covid years", but it was 2019. Dominic Thiem brought him in with a drop shot that left Fed tight on the net, near his right doubles alley after hitting the tough get to Domi's backhand corner. Thiem hit a wicked, topspin backhand that should have been a winner.
But Fed took a couple of quick steps and lept diagonally back and toward the center T in a blink of the eye. Fed had to look straight into a bright, setting sun, peering just over the edge of the stadium. You can see the shadow of his arm on his chin. Thiem held his ground in his backhand corner, but Fed, although facing Thiem, hit a slice overhead, across his body into a forehand corner. How he had the presence of mind to attempt that shot when many wouldn't touch the ball, I don't know.
Come back soon, Roger ! {He said this week he'll next play in Doha, this March. No eulogies yet, John ! }
filedata/fetch?id=92382&d=1612466644&type=thumb
Please click here to see the album: https://www.tennisplayer.net/members...eys_overheads/
This shot looks simpler frozen than it was in real life. Live, it was one of the most difficult single shots I've seen and the sheer speed Fed showed at, what was he then, 37 yo impressed. Fed was playing the final of Indian Wells, what seems like a decade ago in "covid years", but it was 2019. Dominic Thiem brought him in with a drop shot that left Fed tight on the net, near his right doubles alley after hitting the tough get to Domi's backhand corner. Thiem hit a wicked, topspin backhand that should have been a winner.
But Fed took a couple of quick steps and lept diagonally back and toward the center T in a blink of the eye. Fed had to look straight into a bright, setting sun, peering just over the edge of the stadium. You can see the shadow of his arm on his chin. Thiem held his ground in his backhand corner, but Fed, although facing Thiem, hit a slice overhead, across his body into a forehand corner. How he had the presence of mind to attempt that shot when many wouldn't touch the ball, I don't know.
Come back soon, Roger ! {He said this week he'll next play in Doha, this March. No eulogies yet, John ! }
filedata/fetch?id=92382&d=1612466644&type=thumb
Comment