Roger Federer has done it again! Federer, the man who at one point was known for winning Slams and effortlessly defeating opponents is now known for his ability to swing a racquet between his legs and hit a ball. Yes, a tweener. It’s a bit of a party trick, really, but everyone loves it.
To break it down for those not in the know (why are you reading this, again?), Roger Federer has done a trick several times in a row now where, after he chases a shallow drop shot at the net, the opponent faces with a lob in the backcourt. Federer then runs after it and, using the only method he seems to know, whacks a between the leg shot to the competitor. This doesn’t really seem all that impressing, I know. The amazing part (and I sense there is some sort of conspiracy going on here – there can’t not be!) is that he wins the point every single time.
Granted there have only been three instances of it thus far –
once against Novak Djokovic in the 2009 US Open,
once against Brian Dabul in the 2010 US Open and
finally against John Isner in this year’s Shanghai ATP Master’s Tournament. The fishy part is that this last tweener against Isner is the only ball that was actually hit by the opponent, though Isner flubbed and hit it too short.
But in all seriousness, these people are professional tennis players and can’t seem to return even the simplest of shots. Yes, they must be mesmerized by the glory that is another Federer tweener, but hit the ball and break the spell.
Most of all though, I hope that he stops doing it. Yes, it’s amusing and yes, it’s pretty cool looking, but it’s too spectacular and seems to be creating a mockery of the good sport of tennis. When ESPN is flooded with reports of the lastest footage of Federer’s tweener, I turn my television off and so should you.
Say no to chauvinism! Say no to crazy tennis! Say no to exuberant trickery! Say no to
Roger Federer’s Tweener!
