BigboyDan said:
Reading comprehesion problem, deliveryman?
Federer can not thrash ANY pure S/Ver who also can play baseline, much less someone who has the GAME like a 1985/1990 Becker. Becker's GAME at its best, had no weaknesses to exploit, Federer best GAME does. THAT'S the POINT!
Sheesh! Andre is playing Federer at the END of his career!
Learn the game, dude.
For someone who has seen both playing at their peak I beg to differ here.
Federer has proven himself against the serve and volleyers (the few he has played)- Henman, Rusedski, Suzuki at this year's Australian.
Granted, Henman had his number earlier but Roger has figured out how to deal with him.When he needs to Roger can return very efficiently dipping the ball at the feet of the incoming volleyer forcing that player to hit up and set up the passing shot. His variation of spin and pace has left many a net rusher dumbfounded.
Granted, Becker at his peak had a very powerful baseline game but you are forgetting one thing. As was mentioned earlier Becker was the pioneer of the modern power game. Nothing of the sort had ever been seen in the game and the rest of the field was playing catchup. By toay's standards, power bashing alone would not achieve much. Look at Gonzalez and Roddick. For Becker to have to theoretically be able to hang in with a peak Federer he would need more patience in his backcourt game- he would need to trade groundstrokes like an Agassi or a peak Safin and mix it up with his volleying.
While we are on the subject of his volleying there is another point that needs to be made- when I look at his volleys they were exploitable especially the FH volley. He had a bit of an unorthodox teechnique and while he did have a huge wingspan and made many dramatic dive volleys (his trademark) he didn't have the fleetfootedness of his greatest rival Edberg or like that of Rafter for example. Those two were textbook serve and volleyers with the footwork and agility and technique perfected down to a T.
So when you combine all the aforementioned factors here is the summary that ensues:
- Becker has powerful groundstrokes but too inconsistent. Federer would win most of the backcourt rallies as he shows more patience and can generate more spins, angles and changes of pace thus denying Becker any real advantage there.
- In order to volley Becker would need to get Federer on the defensive either with a forceful approach shot or with a hard serve. If a baseline rally ensues he may find it difficult (see point above), off the serve he will have some success but Roger can also return very effectively. On the forehand he can hit forecful returns off an aggressive serve and make the ball deep at the feet of the incoming volleyer. On the backhand he can either slice the return or block it making it dip or at times even flick it back with interest using the wrist.
- Becker wasn't really known for his great return game. Federer with a good serving day would not be broken too often against him (if at all).
In short, I like Roger's chances against Becker even on the faster surfaces.
