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 🙌
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.
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❤
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.
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..
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.
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👍🤝
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 🙌
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.
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!
Looks massive even in 2024! Great match of great players. Thanks for upload.
You're welcome :)
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
Kaf had such a beautiful backhand. Fun to watch.
Indeed! Should have achieved more
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..
Открытый теннис Приятно смотреть 🤘🏻
Federer had a Hewitt-esque forehand at that time. Cool video, thanks
Thx for this gem
crazy his foot work improved so much as progressed in his career.
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
Kafelnikov was a wall. Not a lot of flash, but he could hang with anyone.
Кафель - не плитка, запомни, детка! Кафель - заслуженная ракетка!
Yevegenu kalachnikov one of the greatest tennis player ever
Wowow! Thank you very much for this. I look forward to more such rare HLs!
Federer’s backhand looking so much like Sampras’. Funny to see Rog throwing the racket on the floor
Cool. This was the first I have seen him playing.
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.
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..
A lot of people forget that Kafelnikov is a former world #1
Thanks for the upload! This was a very good match!
16:16 never thought i’d ever hear federer cursing 😂😂
Dimitrov : Baby Fed? Who me? 😤
This guy : 🔥🔥
25 years ago....and at a VERY high level...wow...
Kafelnikov became no 1 for a few weeks later that year. And won the Australian that year!
playing with the dinosaur racket hampered his game in the beginning wish roger had made those changes a lot earlier in his career.
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
My how people forget. Federer, at his peak, was the best I ever saw.
My best player to play on Virtua Tennis (Kafelnikov)
Жэка стебался много позже, что у него с Федерером положительный баланс))
10:04 COME ON!!!! Epic roar from Federer
Federer forehand is different here
Amazing highlights thanks ❤❤
You're welcome :)
Definitely more power less spin in the old days.
The making of the maestro.
The Russian versus the Swiss in Holland… sounds like a James Bond movie script!
Grande Federer. 🇦🇷👍🏻
The russian had game!
El saludo final mas frío que he visto 😅
asi era kafelnikov, ganara o perdiera siempre era muy frio. gran campeon que fue
Always enjoy watching Kafelnikov ,great technique, great footwork good at building a point, hall of famer.
Old school > New school.
Federer was HOT tempered , this is the difference between him & Nadal at the age of 18 Nadal was far more matured
50 people in stand? Lol
2:31 Untypical Federer
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😂
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 :)