Tennis courts aren’t just about battles. They’re also the stage for some of the sport’s most delightful experiments. From absurd angles to no-look winners, players have always added a sprinkle of fun to the serious business of winning. And when it comes to mixing magic with mastery, there’s one name that always comes to mind—Roger Federer. With his buttery-smooth one-handed backhand and that wicked inside-out forehand, Federer made tennis look like an art form. But even the maestro has his limits. And there’s one cheeky trickshot that’s still undefeated, even by him.

As the Madrid Opem hits its final gear, the women’s and men’s finals are locked in. Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff are set to face off on Saturday. On Sunday, it’s Casper Ruud vs Jack Draper. But before those showdowns, some tennis players decided to test their skills with a shot that’s part circus, part chaos.

The Madrid Open’s official X account posted a fun video. It showed some of the tour’s top names trying their hand at a viral serve challenge. The rules? Simple to describe, tough to execute. Balance the ball on the tail of your racket. Let it bounce. And then swing through with a serve. Sounds easy, right? Not quite.

Federer himself had once attempted the shot, and took the ball right to the face. That clip was shown to the current crop of players, instantly raising the stakes. Daria Kasatkina couldn’t help but laugh. “Even Roger couldn’t do it,” she said, wide-eyed.

Tommy Paul looked worried. “My biggest fear is that it bounces and hits me in the face.” But to his credit, he powered through the fear and finally nailed it. Next up was Alex de Minaur. He started off with all the confidence in the world. “I believe in myself,” he declared. A few misses later, belief paid off.

Emma Navarro had her own approach. She got close, but the ball didn’t quite land in the box. Still, she seemed satisfied, smiling through the miss. Then came Aryna Sabalenka, and things got chaotic. She gave it a few serious attempts. But frustration kicked in. “Epic fail,” she predicted. After several botched tries, she had enough. “I’m done,” she said, kicking the racket in mock defeat. But she had a good point while consoling herself. The World No.1 said, “The thing that Federer couldn’t do it, so it’s okay.”

Federer might also give this trickshot another go soon, as he’s gearing up for a return to the court.

Roger Federer Eager to Be Back on the Court

Roger Federer said goodbye to the game in 2022, with emotional scenes at the Laver Cup in London marking the end of an era.

At 43, the 20-time Grand Slam champion has no plans to rejoin the circuit. But he’s itching to pick up the racket again. In a recent chat with TNT Sports, Federer opened up about what’s next “Honestly, I’d love to play some more tennis again,” he said. “Enough with the golf, I’ve played so much. So seriously, I would love to start playing two or three times a week & hopefully get myself back on the exhibition court and fill up a few nice around the world. I have no plans yet.”

The break has been long and much needed. He continued, “The training part, I miss it a little bit. I haven’t played a whole lot since I retired because my body and mind needed a break. I have with my kids, but I would love to go and practice as I travel and hopefully you will see me play an exhibition soon.”

So, while Federer might not be back chasing trophies, the idea of seeing him back on court, even in an exhibition, is enough to excite fans. He’s rested, recharged, and ready to swing again. Where would you like to see him play again? Let us know in the comments below.

Djokovic