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‘Roger called me, he gave me his..’ – Ons Jabeur Flaunts Mastering Federer’s Complex Skill With Tongue in Cheek Remark

Published 05/04/2024, 5:30 AM EDT

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Roger Federer‘s one-handed backhand: a timeless stroke etched in the archives of tennis memory. In a recent humorous turn of events, though, a number of tennis players, including Ons Jabeur, Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton, Jannik Sinner, and others, accepted the challenge of imitating Federer’s well-known playing style. Amid the chuckles and tries, the 29-year-old WTA tennis player not only demonstrated mastery of the stroke but also lightheartedly joked about her newfound ability, bringing up Federer’s story.

The former Wimbledon finalist’s Madrid Open run ended in the quarter-final round itself, but before that, she took part in an activity and displayed her amazing slices, showing how nicely she has developed that skill. Along with that, she also said, “I have the best one. Roger called me, you know, the last time.”

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Even though she stopped there and laughed, recalling the moment, she demonstrated her skills. When asked about the one-hand backhand, the Tunisian tennis player clearly acknowledged how she is quite good at it. Not only that, she also highlighted how there was a time when the 20-time Grand Slam champion called him after seeing the amazing one-hand backhand.

Further, she also highlighted how, “When he retired, he gave me his…” and pulled a one-hand backhand better than the other players on the grid trying to do the same. While it won’t be wrong to say that the former world number two ranked tennis player is quite good in the particular skills that even impressed the legend, Federer.

With their engaging off-court antics, tennis players have combined their on-court prowess with entertainment value. Ben Shelton’s try at the one-handed backhand stood out among others, particularly since it was his first time attempting the stroke. Taylor Fritz’s more rehearsed efforts were in stark contrast to Shelton’s forthright statement, “Nah, I’ve never hit a one-hander in my life.”

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Inspired by the Swiss legend’s grace and dexterity, Stefanos Tsitsipas has become one of the best players in modern tennis when it comes to one-handed backhands. The Greek tennis player has perfected his technique, drawing inspiration from Federer’s skill, and he now captivates viewers with his dynamic and fluid style of play.

Stefanos Tsitsipas keeps Roger Federer’s one-hand backhand alive

After achieving victory in Indian Wells, the 25-year-old tennis star talked about keeping one hand on the backhand alive. ““I want to inspire more people to pursue single-handed backhand to keep it in the game.I’d like to be someone who carries the legacy.,” he stated. “I do believe that more kids in the future [should] definitely decide to pursue a single-handed backhand..” added Tsitsipas.

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The one-handed backhand, on the other hand, which was once a mainstay of the men’s game, has progressively diminished over generations, hastened by Roger Federer’s retirement. However, players like Grigor Dimitrov and Stefanos Tsitsipas, who possess exquisite one-handed backhands, still grace the top ranks of the ATP tour.

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Nevertheless, what are your thoughts on Jabeur’s amazing one-hand backhand? Do let us know in the comment section below.

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Written by:

Pratishtha Prakash

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Pratishtha Prakash, tennis writer and resident analyst at EssentiallySports isn't just a sports journalist; she's a storyteller who found her true calling in tennis content. It is something she seamlessly integrates into both her professional and personal realms. Having professional certifications in content and digital marketing, Pratishtha has made it a habit to hone her skills as a quality journalist.
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Edited by:

Deepali Verma