Everyone is marvelled at Federer's fantastic record but it is no surprise if you think not too far back at Pete Sampras dominance and John McEnroe's, who also played great all round games.
One of the characteristics that separates these players from others is their uncanny ability to perform at their best under extreme pressure and win the "big points" especially at the "Big Four" (the Grand Slams).

They all have or had big weapons, the courage and clarity of mind to use them when they most needed them or when they mentally, would/will do the greatest damage to their opponents .

For example, in the last US Open Bj?rn Borg played, John McEnroe used his creativity as one of his weapons against Borg.

The match was at a very tight crucial moment with Borg realizing that he would not win from the baseline and feeling pressured to come to the net. Borg did just that with a great approach shot up the line to John's forehand, which McEnroe responded with a weak cross court passing, Borg volleyed solid up the line for what should have been a winner and moved in closer to the net for the kill. McEnroe somehow managed to get to the ball and strike an incredible backhand topspin lob over the head of a surprised, flat footed, stunned Bjorn Borg! After that there were many interesting points in that match, but that lob took the soul out of Borg and showed him that all doors to US Open heaven were shut! When Borg walked back to the baseline he knew he had lost the match and not much long after that tournament he retired from professional tennis.

Pete Sampras did the same kind of mental damage during his vomiting session to Coretja at the US Open 96, in his crying session to Courier at the Australian Open 95 and in a number of different occasions to the likes of Ivan Lendl, Boris Becker, Agassi, Rafter, Henman and others.
Petes greatest weapon was his second serve, you may say, "What about the first?" Pete's second serve was what allowed him to go left and right for aces with his first serve at the "big points". So sure he was that he would not miss his second service as well as of the quality of it, that he had no fear of his opponents return! This great confidence in his second service, allowed him the luxury to even ace his challengers with his second service in the climax of pressure. Needless to say, this was disheartening, frustrating and mind boggling to his despondent adversaries. Does Federer show flashes of the same?

In 1990 in Milano watching Pete, I saw the begining of the effective use of such weapons, when Pete threatened Lendl into a 3rd set, which was continued in Philadelphia where he defeated a baffled Agassi shaking his head, changing from side to side barely touching a ball on the return. Two matches later there was more of the same in the final against Andres Gomez. At year's end using similar tactics and weapons Pete culminated his season with the crown at the US Open.

Federer today with his "unique" game (a throw back to the 60's and 70's tennis) demonstrates that the all around game is a tremendous challenge for today's players, because a large majority of them are totally inept at dealing with the short cross slice backhand as well as the low slice on their forehands (due to extreme grips), which makes them prey to attacks and winners! At his best Roger's refined "repertoire" can drive the most stall worth Hewitt, Ferrero, Nalbandian, Gaudio, Gonzales, Nadal into submission, if not into total embarrassment!

This leaves a wide open question about how alone is Federer in his style of play in relation to the players of "remote" generations from the 50's, 60's and 70's? I will answer that in part 2 of this article. Enjoy "The Game"!

For comments or ideas about this article please email the author Sergio Cruz

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