Six-time major champion and current coach of Novak Djokovic, Boris Becker has slammed Roger Federer as his latest chip-and-charge return tactic as disrespectful to the opponents.
Federer began to execute this sneak attack against Novak Djokovic in the Cincinnati finals. Looking to return the second serve, Federer charges up to the service and takes the return on the half volley.
Federer in the US Open used the same tactics against almost every opponent and one could expect the same in the finals as well.
The German legend said that in his day, players would have smacked the ball straight at Federer’s body to try and warn him off a move known as the SABR — Sneak Attack By Roger.
“It’s almost disrespecting the other guy’s serve. Everybody talks about that’s his new strategy — he comes in. It’s within the rules.
“If he would have played a (John) McEnroe, (Jimmy) Connors, (Ivan) Lendl or even me, we would have said, “Roger, in all honesty I like you very much, but I’ll go straight at you. In my generation, guys would not have accepted as it is now,” Becker was quoted as saying by Skysports on Thursday.
Federer has reached the US Open final since 2009 and he will face the Serbian Novak Djokovic in the finals on Sunday.
Here is the video of Roger Federer’s sneak attack: