Coach Patrick Mouratoglou says Nick Kyrgios now has the best SABR in the game but stressed that Roger Federer will forever be the master of this shot. The SABR (Sneak Attack By Roger) is a trick serve on return in which the return player attempts to quickly advance to the area around the serve line and catch his opponent by surprise.
Federer was able to execute the SABR perfectly many times. Kyrgios, widely regarded as one of the greatest entertainers in tennis, also found success when he performed that particular trick shot. “Now it’s Nick Kyrgios but he follows the champion, Roger Federer,” said Mouratoglou.
Kyrgios had great respect for Federer’s game.
Kyrgios played against Federer seven times.
Kyrgios’ only win against Federer came at the 2015 Madrid Masters when he surprised the Swiss. Over the next few years, Kyrgios and Federer had some gripping fights, but each time it was the Swiss who was on the winning side.
In January, Kyrgios was a guest on the JBK Podcast. During his performance, Kyrgios said Federer has ‘the ability to make you feel like pure crap on the pitch’. “I think when all is said and done Novak will be the GOAT but I think without Federer there would be no Nadal, no Djokovic, he has won so many fans for tennis.
Nadal and Djokovic let you get into the match a bit more, with your groundstrokes and whatnot, but Federer can just make you feel like pure crap, makes the court look so small. If it’s purely about tennis I’d say Novak, but if it’s more than an athlete I’d say Federer,” Kyrgios said on the JBK show.
Federer has been enjoying life as a pensioner since September. It was rumored this summer that Federer could return to Wimbledon as a commentator. At Wimbledon, Federer is a record eight-time champion and a true icon.
