Roger Federer: What He Needs to Do to Beat Rafael Nadal

Roger Federer could have won the French Open several times by now.

He could have amassed over 20 Grand Slam titles.

One man has always stood in his way.

This was the great rivalry far before Nadal vs. Djokovic was even in contention, and one that tennis fans still want to see even as Roger nears the end of his career.

A week ago I wrote an article about what Nadal needs to do to beat Djokovic. This is the next and most famous rivalry among the big four.

Get the First Serve in

When Federer’s first serve percentage drops, his chances drop proportionally.

Nadal is able to win many of the long rallies they play, and if Federer hits a second serve they begin on equal terms.

If Federer can get his first serve in he can get in a controlling position immediately and dictate play until he can put away a winner. If not, Nadal can work his way into the game and put pressure on Federer, who handles it against Nadal poorly.

Convert Break Point Opportunities

Federer has had innumerable break point opportunities against Nadal. He rarely converted them.

Federer needs to hit a return that places Nadal in a defensive position because Nadal always plays the pressure points better.

Roger needs to find a way to win the bigger points because that’s usually the only difference when these two legends play.

Be Wary About Running Around the Backhand

Nadal loves hitting it to Federer’s backhand and Federer loves running around his backhand.

However, Nadal can usually put Federer in a position where running around it isn’t feasible and puts him too far outside the center of the court, setting Rafa up for his trademark rocket up the line. 

Federer needs to hit his backhand because he’s not as fast as he used to be and Nadal hasn’t slowed down at all.

Control the Short Backhand

When Nadal hits a short forehand sharply angled to Fed’s backhand, it always gives Roger difficulty.

Because Federer plays with a one handed backhand, going down the line from that position is very difficult unless he slices, which sets Nadal up for a passing shot. If Federer goes over the top of it, it goes cross court, where Nadal is always waiting.

In their match at the WTF, Federer played this shot brilliantly, even rocketing winners past Nadal a couple times. If he can find a way to play this shot aggressively, it will give Nadal a lot of problems.

Don't Approach Unless Nadal Is out of Position

Nadal loves passing shots. At the French Open this year, he said however well he’s hitting passing shots is usually how well he’s playing.

Federer needs to stop approaching when Nadal is ready and waiting. The only times Roger should come in is if Nadal is forced to throw up a lob after the approach. Otherwise, nine times out of ten, expect Rafa to hit a precision passing shot.

Run Around the Backhand When Returning Serve

In their final at the Australian Open, Nadal hit something like 99 percent of serves to Federer’s backhand. But Federer rarely ran around it.

Federer needs to get into a winning position in the point as fast as possible, and an aggressive return of serve is a great way to start. If he can find a way to get around Nadal’s wicked slice and get the forehand hard and deep, Nadal will be caught of guard and will be in a defensive position.

Keep the Backhand Deep

Federer’s topspin backhand against Nadal, unfortunately, tends to fall too short. Nadal’s heavy topspin to a one-hander is not easy to handle no matter how talented the player.

Nadal loves to rally to Federer’s backhand and wait for the short forehand to put away. If Federer can find a way to keep the ball deep, whether by slicing or putting more top on the ball, it will force Nadal to come up with a new strategy. 

Use the Slice Backhand More Often

I don’t really understand why Federer abandoned this play. It’s given Nadal problems, especially on clay.

As I said before, Federer’s backhand tends to fall short. If he slices it, that’s no longer an issue, and Federer has one of the greatest slices in the game (if not the greatest).

If Federer can slice to Nadal it will give Roger more time to get in position and thereby more time to set up a forehand winner. 

Don't Get into Long Rallies

Nadal will almost always win the long rallies against Federer. It’s sad but true, and why the Spaniard is so untouchable on clay.

Federer needs to be aggressive right from the return of serve and get Nadal in a losing position because when the rally extends Nadal is almost always in a winning one.

Lure Nadal into the Net

This is a play Federer has used against Roddick a thousand times.

Nadal’s volleys are his worst shot. If Federer can get the ball short enough to lure him in, Roger can surely find a way to pass him, if not in one shot then two.

Unfortunately Nadal is much faster than Roddick, so this is no easy task.

Federer needs to find a way to draw Nadal in because from the baseline the Spaniard is at an advantage, but at the net he rarely is.