Roger Federer’s 12-year-old ‘defense’ statement Time travels from past to present as Daniil Medvedev echoes Swiss maestro’s sentiments in Shanghai

Swiss great Roger Federer is one of the finest players that tennis has seen in recent years. Throughout his years as a professional player, he has seen a major change in the game, from playing in an offensive position to a defensive style. However, in that time, Roger Federer foreshadowed the future of tennis.

12 years later, Russian tennis player Daniil Medvedev emulated the Swiss champion’s words and took his place at the top of the game. Currently playing at the Shanghai Masters, he has clearly shown that the 20-time Grand Slam winner has made no mistakes when predicting the future shape of the game.

Roger Federer’s 12-year-old defense statement comes to light as Daniil Medvedev echoes his sentiments

In 2012, tennis maestro Roger Federer made an observation about the evolving landscape of professional tennis. He said that the game’s change was not primarily in offensive gameplay but in defensive capabilities. Federer, who witnessed the era of aggressive players like Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi, stressed the increasing importance of defense in modern tennis. Slower courts, improved fitness levels and better defensive skills had reshaped the game.

“You look at the game of tennis, in my opinion what has improved or increased in the last 10 years is not the offense, it is the defense,” Federer said in the old days.

Fast forward to 2023, and Daniil Medvedev is a prime example of Federer’s insight. Known for his defensive playing style, Medvedev is making waves in the tennis world. His remarkable ability to retrieve balls seemingly out of reach, strategic gameplay and defensive mindset have earned him recognition as one of the top players globally.

Medvedev’s playing style is similar to that predicted by Federer in 2012. He talked about the evolution of tennis toward a more defensive approach, where players not only attack but excel in defense, turning rallies into tactical battles.

“I’ve played at all different speeds. But I think some variety would be good, some plodding things and then some faster things, rather than trying to make everything the same, it’s only on these types of slow courts that you can defend that way. From what we’re all doing right now,” Federer said in the old days.

At the recent Shanghai Masters, Medvedev’s performance demonstrated the importance of defense in modern tennis. His skillful retrieval of shots, ability to counter-punch and strategic gameplay are examples of what Roger Federer stood for back in the day.

Thus, Roger Federer’s words from 2012 come to light when Daniil Medvedev adopted a more defensive style, which helped him achieve success and play his best game.

Roger Federer has long been Daniil Medvedev’s idol

Daniil Medvedev has been an ardent fan of Roger Federer for years. In several interviews, the Russian star has shared his admiration for the former world No. 1 and said that he has learned many things from the Swiss international. Medvedev, known for his charisma on the court, once revealed that Federer helped him change his personality and learn how to be aggressive and charismatic at the same time.

He revealed that in the locker room, Roger Federer is a guy who is fun-loving and will make you laugh, smile and tell jokes. However, when it comes to his on-court charisma, he looks to be in aggressive mode, ready to make the most of his shots.

Thus, Daniil Medvedev has always been inspired by his idol Roger Federer. Even today, Daniil Medvedev wants to follow in the footsteps of the game’s greatest ever player. Also, no one would have thought that after 12 years a Russian player would expose the things of Roger Federer.

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