Roger Federer: How Each Aspect of His Game Needs to Improve in 2012

Five years ago, an article like this would never have to have been written, because Federer's game was consummate. Perhaps his backhand was not infallible, but there were few weaknesses for his opponents to exploit—and almost no holes in his game. 

Unfortunately, that is no longer the case.

Here are ways in which he could improve areas of his game to have a more successful 2012:

Forehand:

Federer's forehand used to be the best in the game, with an inside-out shot that would defy logical angles and one down the line could near 100 mph. The shot is still dangerous, but lacks the consistency it used to have. I would say that in order to regain it, he should opt to embrace the new racket technology (Rafa Nadal did it in 2010, and it led to the best season of his career), because it could lead to fewer mis-hits and more allowances for shots not quite on the sweet spot.

Backhand:

I have never understood why Federer stopped employing the slice backhand. He still uses it, but not nearly as often as he once did.  I would argue that the slice was an essential aspect of his dominant years. It's an excellent change of pace, endlessly consistent and bounces near his opponent's ankles. My advice would be to stop going for topspin over 90 percent of the time and try to mix it up on the backhand side.

Serve:

Federer was bombing second serves against Novak Djokovic at the French Open, and the Serb had no means to respond. If Federer could employ this tactic more often, it could shorten matches and put him in an offensive position more readily in his rallies. Another reason is in some instances his first-serve percentage has been dropping, allowing his opponents to get into his service games.

Volleys:

Federer has no room to improve on his volleys because they are the best in the game right now. I believe that he should find more ways to approach and close at the net more often, because with his approach shots and net game, there's no reason not to. If he could follow a second serve like he was playing against Djokovic at Roland Garros, all the better.

Return of Serve:

Federer needs to play this shot aggressively, which is one thing Paul Annacone has been working with him on. If he could run around more second serves and step into them, he could dictate play from the beginning of the point, and nobody plays offensive tennis better than Federer.

Conclusion:

There's no reason to believe Federer cannot find a means to return to form; he just needs to adjust his game. If he could make some shifts to try to play faster, more aggressive tennis and prevent himself from getting in extended rallies with the increasing number of walls in the game, I believe he could close out more matches and maybe get that ever-elusive next Grand Slam title.