Novak Djokovic snatched Rafael Nadal his oldest number 1 record at the end of the year. The Spaniard had set it last year at 33 years and 6 months, Nole changed it by ten days, bringing it to 33 years and 7 months.
As for the Grand Slam titles, that of Andres Gimeno, who is the oldest of the Roland Garros champions since 1972, could fall. Rafa won this year at 34 years and 4 months, but if he wins again in June 2021, he will set the new record at 35.
If Roger Federer won a Grand Slam in 2021, he would become the all-time oldest in Australia (Rosewall’s record at 37 years and 2 months) and Flushing Meadows (Bill Larned at 38 years and 7 months), as well as in Paris.
At Wimbledon, however, Arthur Gore’s record remains unattainable, champion in 1909 at 41 years and 6 months. Six-time Grand Slam winner Stefan Edberg and former Roger Federer coach recently said the Swiss legend is still looking for ways to improve his game.
Edberg believes Federer will follow the same approach as he prepares for his final comeback in 2021.
Edberg talks about Roger Federer.
“2013 was a difficult year for Roger Federer,” said Stefan Edberg.
“He had back problems, maybe he’d wandered off a bit and maybe needed some inspiration. Maybe he had thought about how he could develop his game.
At the same time, he made the decision to change racquets, which I think was very very important. That’s when I came on the scene in 2014. I had obviously been thinking about how he could get better.
I think he had in his mind what he wanted to do. And that’s how we started – taking it day by day. I was in the same situation as him.
We had a discussion and wanted to make some changes to his game which we have done over time, “he added. The Swede stressed that his own aggressive style of play has been a source of inspiration for Roger Federer.
Edberg was renowned for his smooth serve and volley game in the late ’80s and early’ 90s, which performed particularly well on fast surfaces.
“He wanted to be a more attacking player, which I was,” said Edberg. “For him, it was more about having new entries and new ideas and maybe a little inspiration.
Once again, changing racquets was very, very crucial, moving towards new technologies was appropriate. This is how it all started. Roger Federer has always had excellent serve and he has strived to take a position a little further down the court where he can take the ball uphill and go up to the net to finish the points.
Because he’s an excellent volleyball player. It always has been and always will be. He had the skills, “Edberg said.” Small details make a difference, but Roger Federer learns so quickly that he knows how to make changes.
One of the things that really made the difference was when he started hitting his backhand a little flatter, he caught it a little earlier. That’s how he won the Australian Open in 2017, ”he added.
–
