10 Things Roger Federer Needs to Change to Win Another Grand Slam

Roger Federer used to be the favorite in almost every Grand Slam event that he entered and was considered the reigning king of tennis.

Novak Djokovic has now usurped the throne.

Federer has not won Wimbledon since 2009, the US Open since 2008, the French Open since 2009 and the Australian Open since 2010. This has been the first calendar year in which he has not had a single major title to his name.

Here are 10 things Federer needs to change in order to reclaim the throne.

1. Close out Matches

Opponents used to be the ones having trouble closing out matches against Federer.

Djokovic could not finish two sets he should have won against him in the US Open final in 2007, and there was the ultimate close call of Alejandro Falla serving for the match against him at Wimbledon in 2010.

Things seem to have reversed. The last two majors Federer has played in he has been up two sets to love, where he had never lost before. He won neither of those matches.

If he wants to win another Slam, he needs to be the one his opponents can’t win against even if in an advantageous position, not the other way around.

2. Use the New Technology

Rafael Nadal changed his strings in 2010 to ones that allowed fiercer topspin and more control. That led to the best season of his career.

Federer has been using the same racket almost since he started playing. He needs to embrace what the new technology allows players to do, which could lead to fewer mishits and more control and precision.

3. Approach the Net More

Federer currently has the best volleys in men’s tennis. His approach shots are excellent as well, with a slice that bounces at his opponent’s ankles and a forehand that flies through the court.

Federer needs to approach and finish more points at the net. This would lead to shorter rallies and (ideally) faster matches, allowing him to conserve more energy for the latter stages of the tournament and win matches against opponents like Djokovic, who can now best him from the baseline.

4. Utilize the Backhand Slice

Federer has lately been making many mishits from his backhand side, namely when he goes for topspin.

His slice, however, is endlessly consistent and gives even the greatest opponents difficulty. Federer needs to use this shot more often because it is a great change of pace and nearly impossible for his opponent to hit a winner off.

5. Hit More Aggressive Second Serves

In his French Open match against Djokovic, Federer was bombing second serves like Pete Sampras. Djokovic is one of the best returners in the game, yet he looked all but helpless in response.

Federer needs to use this tactic more often because it puts pressure on his opponent on both serves and puts him in an offensive position immediately.

6. Control the Baseline

More and more often, Federer is allowing opponents to push him back from the baseline. Tomas Berdych did it at Wimbledon in 2010, as did Robin Soderling at the French Open that same year.

Federer needs to command the baseline like Djokovic does now and not get pushed back and play too defensively.

7. Stop Running Around the Backhand

Federer used to have the best inside-out forehand in tennis. Unfortunately, now he is a step slower than he used to be.

Opponents now tend to push Federer’s backhand until he runs around one that he shouldn’t, which puts him out of position and in a losing stance in the rally. Federer should slice his backhand and be more patient, or approach and close rallies out as fast as possible.

8. Don't Let Opponents into His Head

Nadal, Berdych, Gilles Simon and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga: These are all opponents who are now firmly in Federer’s head.

Federer needs to find a way to exorcise them and play as he normally does, not allowing their previous triumphs over him to distract him during the most important points of the match.

9. Exploit His Opponent’s Weaknesses

One of Nadal’s greatest strengths is his ability to pinpoint his opponent’s weakness and destroy it as well as their confidence. He has done this to Federer many times.

Federer needs to employ the same tactic. The rivals he fears the most all certainly have weaknesses, but Federer doesn’t adjust his game to them. If he could change his plan in order to exploit what his opponent cannot do, he could win more matches against them, albeit not with the same panache as he’s generally known for.

10. Be Wiling to Change His Game Plan

Connected to the previous slide. Federer can be bullheaded in his tactics, believing he is still a superior player to his opponent even as he has moved past his prime.

Federer needs to be willing to get new rackets, employ new strategies and listen to his coaches because his old strategies are no longer winning him tournaments.