Great highlights! It's still hard to believe that Federer just retired a couple years ago, but whose career was so long that he was playing players like Kafelnikov, Rafter, Sampras, etc. at the beginning of his career. Also, it's so odd to see a Federer match with barely any fans...
Kafelnikov was a top hard court player at the time... looking back, it's tough matches like these that helped make Federer into the champion he would later become 🙌
I see his footwork and serve are very consistent till today since junior, but forehand and backhand are not matured at the time, some sort of old school style. Thanks for the upload❤
Fed’s forehand looks different. Maybe a less compact swing? His footwork not as good as it would get. The serve surprisingly was not too far off from what it would become. But definitely pushed around a bit by a stronger opponent. I wouldn’t say we were looking at a future all time great from this footage.
@@lechiffre561To me his finish is actually very similar to now, which is right across his shoulder. Sampras ended higher because of his more forward swing and he indeed had less wrist relaxation.
With the Backstreet Boys hair lol... still awesome to see these early matches of his. Of course Kafelnikov had just won the australian open a couple of weeks before this match, and would reach the world number one ranking a few months later. Federer was 17 and competing evenly against the absolute best in the world.
1999... Мне шышнадцать. Ельцин и все такое. Я уже поступил в 2 вуза: 1 военный (оч крутой), 2й - гражданский. Ночами учил билеты. Теннис показывали тоже ночью. Я не знаю почему так, но я точно знаю что именно тогда я влюбился в него
Rodger Federer's backhand and forehand was different.. it's also very interesting that most people think that tennis played back in this time was not the same as it was today. As if the guys hit the ball so soft and slow. I don't know it looks pretty fast to me..
It was not slow in the 90's by any measure, but it's certainly faster now. If I remember correctly the average time between contact went from 1.3 seconds in the early 2000's to 1.1 nowadays. And just compare this to Sinner or Carlos and you will see that they hit the ball harder now, Federer from 2004 onwards also clearly hits harder than they do here.
So fun to watch baby Federer, still has some baby fat on him but you could see all the talent there especially with the mid court and net play. You could tell his first serve percentage in this match suuuuuuuuuucked lol. Fun to watch tho.
U must be a gen Z, I can argue today fashion is awful, everyone is wearing nut hugger jeans, dudes wearing tighter pants than their sisters, messy hairs, short shorts, masculinity is gone….now yall are trying to get the 90s backs with baggy pants loose clothes
Watch other highlights and full matches: www.patreon.com/c/FedererHome
Great highlights! It's still hard to believe that Federer just retired a couple years ago, but whose career was so long that he was playing players like Kafelnikov, Rafter, Sampras, etc. at the beginning of his career. Also, it's so odd to see a Federer match with barely any fans...
Согласен👍🤝
Без болельщиков очень удивительно, и полупустые трибуны .
I forgot Kafelnikov was such a smooth operator, nothing was hurried
I'm fascinated by how Federer's technique changed slightly on the ground shots over time. It's like he took good form and made it great!
Открытый теннис Приятно смотреть 🤘🏻
Kafelnikov was a top hard court player at the time... looking back, it's tough matches like these that helped make Federer into the champion he would later become 🙌
Он из города Сочи там только грунтовые корты🫱
Two of my favourite tennis players.
Me too
Looks massive even in 2024! Great match of great players. Thanks for upload.
You're welcome :)
Kaf had such a beautiful backhand. Fun to watch.
Indeed! Should have achieved more
I see his footwork and serve are very consistent till today since junior, but forehand and backhand are not matured at the time, some sort of old school style. Thanks for the upload❤
his serve was not consistent at this age, he had a lot of double faults until 2002
His footwork was also not quite as good as it would become even though his way of moving is similar.
A lot of people forget that Kafelnikov is a former world #1
Singles and doubles
because he lost every match as nr.1
@markctaylormade For the record he was no. 1 ranking player in the world only for 1 week.. but correct me if I am wrong
@@narcyznarcyz-uv4td he was longer nr.1. 6-8 weeks
@thebigmonstaandy6644 I checked 2 players were no 1 for only 1 week.. It was Muster in 1996 and Rafter in 1999..
Вот были времена!
25 years ago....and at a VERY high level...wow...
crazy his foot work improved so much as progressed in his career.
Kafelnikov was a wall. Not a lot of flash, but he could hang with anyone.
Fed’s forehand looks different. Maybe a less compact swing? His footwork not as good as it would get. The serve surprisingly was not too far off from what it would become. But definitely pushed around a bit by a stronger opponent. I wouldn’t say we were looking at a future all time great from this footage.
yes and different ending..more Sampras like with less wrist relaxation.
Yes he slowly shortened his backswing over the years, even his 2004-2006 forehand had a bigger backswing that his current one.
@@lechiffre561To me his finish is actually very similar to now, which is right across his shoulder.
Sampras ended higher because of his more forward swing and he indeed had less wrist relaxation.
Kafelnikov became no 1 for a few weeks later that year. And won the Australian that year!
With the Backstreet Boys hair lol... still awesome to see these early matches of his. Of course Kafelnikov had just won the australian open a couple of weeks before this match, and would reach the world number one ranking a few months later. Federer was 17 and competing evenly against the absolute best in the world.
That's a amazing video. Federer playing a lot like his idol Pete, long swings and chip slice backends. That's 85 6.0 racket..ah..
Federer had a Hewitt-esque forehand at that time. Cool video, thanks
Wowow! Thank you very much for this. I look forward to more such rare HLs!
1999...
Мне шышнадцать. Ельцин и все такое. Я уже поступил в 2 вуза: 1 военный (оч крутой), 2й - гражданский. Ночами учил билеты. Теннис показывали тоже ночью. Я не знаю почему так, но я точно знаю что именно тогда я влюбился в него
Кафель - не плитка, запомни, детка! Кафель - заслуженная ракетка!
Federer was a mixed of Sampras and Hewitt! Kafelnikov has created the next gen forehand preparation.
Lol Hewitt was a counterpuncher, the complete opposite of Fed, good try.
@jesse9307 well I am talking about the technics/stroke and the body language. Look at the 🧢
@@pippen2212 lmao not even close, but sure
Attack strategy from Sampras, the style from Hewitt.
@@pippen2212 still not even close LMAO
Always enjoy watching Kafelnikov ,great technique, great footwork good at building a point, hall of famer.
My best player to play on Virtua Tennis (Kafelnikov)
Thx for this gem
16:16 never thought i’d ever hear federer cursing 😂😂
Cool. This was the first I have seen him playing.
Thanks for the upload! This was a very good match!
Yevegenu kalachnikov one of the greatest tennis player ever
My how people forget. Federer, at his peak, was the best I ever saw.
Rodger Federer's backhand and forehand was different.. it's also very interesting that most people think that tennis played back in this time was not the same as it was today. As if the guys hit the ball so soft and slow. I don't know it looks pretty fast to me..
It was not slow in the 90's by any measure, but it's certainly faster now.
If I remember correctly the average time between contact went from 1.3 seconds in the early 2000's to 1.1 nowadays. And just compare this to Sinner or Carlos and you will see that they hit the ball harder now, Federer from 2004 onwards also clearly hits harder than they do here.
That young fella can be really good when he grows up
Жэка стебался много позже, что у него с Федерером положительный баланс))
Welcome back Federer Home
It's been a long time coming ;)
Thanks for the support and kind words. Let's bring the history of the best tennis back here together
Federer’s backhand looking so much like Sampras’. Funny to see Rog throwing the racket on the floor
Old school > New school.
Great match!
10:04 COME ON!!!! Epic roar from Federer
The Russian versus the Swiss in Holland… sounds like a James Bond movie script!
The russian had game!
Oh, Fischer racket. Played with it a bit. Didn't think Kafelnikov played so good.
Well, he's a 2 time grand slam winner and golden olympic champion
@@yepyepyep8859 and former ATP №1
Amazing highlights thanks ❤❤
You're welcome :)
Dimitrov : Baby Fed? Who me? 😤
This guy : 🔥🔥
Definitely more power less spin in the old days.
playing with the dinosaur racket hampered his game in the beginning wish roger had made those changes a lot earlier in his career.
El saludo final mas frío que he visto 😅
asi era kafelnikov, ganara o perdiera siempre era muy frio. gran campeon que fue
Federer was HOT tempered , this is the difference between him & Nadal at the age of 18 Nadal was far more matured
Federer forehand is different here
The making of the maestro.
Grande Federer. 🇦🇷👍🏻
50 people in stand? Lol
So fun to watch baby Federer, still has some baby fat on him but you could see all the talent there especially with the mid court and net play. You could tell his first serve percentage in this match suuuuuuuuuucked lol. Fun to watch tho.
Funny to see Federer throw his racket etc😂
2:31 Untypical Federer
Fed looks like he has Sampras 60# racquet. Lol
Без счёта не в жилу смотреть
В те времена судья счёт объявлял только в конце матча, игроки сами не знали его
@MichaelS05ты серьёзно 😮😃🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Тогда установка была играть за каждый мяч без счета😂просто долбиться и все.
Thank god roger abandoned that ridiculous backwards cap. 90s fashion was truly awful.
It covered his blond dyed hair which looked even more ridiculous. But hey, you're only 18 once! 😂
@theo9436 it was right after he got kicked out of n'sync
where have you been dude...90's fashion is all over us now :)
U must be a gen Z, I can argue today fashion is awful, everyone is wearing nut hugger jeans, dudes wearing tighter pants than their sisters, messy hairs, short shorts, masculinity is gone….now yall are trying to get the 90s backs with baggy pants loose clothes