Miami Open. Roger Federer has always stated that he is very interested in the new generation especially now as it seems that the young guns are finally ready to take over.
The Swiss maestro has recently defeated Denis Shapovalov that at 19 years of age has already reached the semifinals on 3 Masters 1000 (2017 Rogers Cup, 2018 Madrid, and now in Miami).
The young Canadian didn’t play his best tennis in the semifinal against Roger that was his childhood hero, and Federer tried to explain why.
Why Shapovalov may have felt pressure
During the press conference following the final 4, Roger commented
“I do believe that in a semi to some extent there is always something to lose for Denis it’s not like a first or second round when you can just really free swing and the attention is quite not there yet.
I mean people are expecting something from Felix and Denis, [and] in the later stages of the tournaments they are facing the press. There is not that many these stories sometimes left in the tournament so naturally, they have to come here and explain themselves and that puts some pressure on. But in the first few rounds, there are so many stories going on that you just feel ‘bang’ and all of a sudden you got the top guy.”
Why Shapovalov and the other young players should enjoy free swinging
Then Roger added
“But for the most, I do beleive sometimes free swinging is a beautiful feeling and this is what the young guys should enjoy to some extent while it last because will play many matches when all of a sudden they will not be the underdog anymore, but then they will be better players.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUq8PnH3v7o&t=324s
roger understands
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| Embed from Getty Images |
