Completely legitimate to aim for the person at the net. Happens all the time in doubles. If you can aim at the feet then that’s better. But sometimes you can’t - like in this case. A case when Roger was at the receiving end was in Miami 2017 in the match against Kyrgios which Roger volleyed - and the slap from Kyrgios was travelling like a bullet.
I liken that shot to a soccer player taking a penalty and directing it straight at the keeper - anticipating that the keeper will dive to one side or the other, thereby allowing the ball to enter the net unopposed. In tennis, however, a ball directed straight at an opponent camped at the net will often be much harder to deal with even if they choose to stand their ground.
He wasn't aiming at the opponent directly. He could have hit him if he wanted to but chose to hit the ball in such a way as to just miss the opponent. I think it's to make the opponent wary of coming to the net. Or, often, a player at the net has to guess which way to move when you are so close to the opponent. Roger may have thought to maybe go down the center in case the opponent guesses correctly.
That’s a fair shot and not unsportsmanlike shot. It’s forcing Murray to hit a weird volley and it’s high percentage shot that forces your opponent to hit one more shot that will be a weak volley. Actually this shot was common in the 90s and 80s. Federer tuned pro in 98 when serve and volley was still king and being in the generation that was nothing but attack players he knows how to get out of werid shots like this. The people who say its unsportsmanlike needs to watch Lendl who would “tag” players. Also the volley Andy makes is a very hard volley, it’s below the net when he makes that’s volley. But he puts it in a weird position, unfortunately Andy didn’t know where Federer was going and he picked cross court that’s why he was leaning that way. Normally he would be right because it’s a high percentage shot under pressure and Andy is in position!!!Instead Federer went center to try and jam Andy to get a weaker volley and give himself another look at an easier shot off a weaker volley.
The direction of his movement while running to the ball, made it a pretty uncomfortable forehand... he could've easily ended up being wrong footed, even if ultimately he managed to reach a decent feet placement anyway... That's probably why he decided to go for an easier shot, instead of going for the lines.
The moment you commit to come to the net, hey you'd better expect anything can happen. That's the price you pay and this has nothing to do with being nice.
It was a misstake to come at the net. There was not enough pressure for Roger, and Roger was practicly standing on the baseline l. So fair play from Roger.
If he were inside the service line I’d have issue but he’s at the baseline. I’m fine with it. Plus people usually don’t guess a ball down the center when at the night so even if he did get it, it’d probably be a reaction pop up or a weak stab for an easy put away.
Completely legitimate to aim for the person at the net. Happens all the time in doubles. If you can aim at the feet then that’s better. But sometimes you can’t - like in this case. A case when Roger was at the receiving end was in Miami 2017 in the match against Kyrgios which Roger volleyed - and the slap from Kyrgios was travelling like a bullet.
Kygrios thought it'll work on him, he volleyed it like its nothing
I liken that shot to a soccer player taking a penalty and directing it straight at the keeper - anticipating that the keeper will dive to one side or the other, thereby allowing the ball to enter the net unopposed. In tennis, however, a ball directed straight at an opponent camped at the net will often be much harder to deal with even if they choose to stand their ground.
He wasn't aiming at the opponent directly. He could have hit him if he wanted to but chose to hit the ball in such a way as to just miss the opponent. I think it's to make the opponent wary of coming to the net. Or, often, a player at the net has to guess which way to move when you are so close to the opponent. Roger may have thought to maybe go down the center in case the opponent guesses correctly.
That’s a fair shot and not unsportsmanlike shot. It’s forcing Murray to hit a weird volley and it’s high percentage shot that forces your opponent to hit one more shot that will be a weak volley. Actually this shot was common in the 90s and 80s. Federer tuned pro in 98 when serve and volley was still king and being in the generation that was nothing but attack players he knows how to get out of werid shots like this. The people who say its unsportsmanlike needs to watch Lendl who would “tag” players. Also the volley Andy makes is a very hard volley, it’s below the net when he makes that’s volley. But he puts it in a weird position, unfortunately Andy didn’t know where Federer was going and he picked cross court that’s why he was leaning that way. Normally he would be right because it’s a high percentage shot under pressure and Andy is in position!!!Instead Federer went center to try and jam Andy to get a weaker volley and give himself another look at an easier shot off a weaker volley.
Not unsportsmanlike . Completely perfect shot.
The direction of his movement while running to the ball, made it a pretty uncomfortable forehand... he could've easily ended up being wrong footed, even if ultimately he managed to reach a decent feet placement anyway... That's probably why he decided to go for an easier shot, instead of going for the lines.
The moment you commit to come to the net, hey you'd better expect anything can happen. That's the price you pay and this has nothing to do with being nice.
Incoming....!!!! Had that done to me many times in doubles...reflexes pick up quickly after you learn your opponents....
that's is not sportsmanship, and he intentionally did it, his ball was aiming exactly at his head, that's just no very nice.
I think he could have hit the other player easily....
you play the sport to win and achieve the victory. You don't play to pleasure the fans that complain about everything
I think Roger's decision to win this rally resulted in a point in his favor. Play on!
It was a misstake to come at the net. There was not enough pressure for Roger, and Roger was practicly standing on the baseline l. So fair play from Roger.
The opponent definitely didn’t expect that and even if he managed to block it he would’ve been on top of it in no time
Totally good
you do know from hitting millions of balls, some ball shots just occur the way it is without any specific intentions
Was not aimed at the opponent, sent it down the middle... no where near opponent. That is not how he does things
If he were inside the service line I’d have issue but he’s at the baseline. I’m fine with it. Plus people usually don’t guess a ball down the center when at the night so even if he did get it, it’d probably be a reaction pop up or a weak stab for an easy put away.
Part of the game mate
Totally legit. Come to the net, prepared to get hit
Exactly. Man was standing there asking for it.
Roger said it himself: this aint the juniors so you cant be soft
The shot wasn't even directly at him, it curved. So you're wrong
I dont think he was aiming at his opponent.
Lendl would approve!
Nothing wrong with that! What is shocking, was zero effort to volley it!
Fr lmao, bro completely misjudged that volley
Totally fine
When you come to the net be prepared to get hit
The only time i remember him aiming for the opponent was against Stakhovsky at Wimby '13.
There are 3 choices: deuce, ad, or center. When a pro wants to hit his opponent at the net, they do!
Not much.
I can clearly see Roger isn't impressed with his opponent's volley skills. 🫢