Roger Federer – ”It’s a Pretty Dead Court”

Once again, Roger Federer survived a scare at Flushing Meadows and defeated his Bosnian opponent, Damir Dzumhur 3-6, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 in the second round of the US Open 2019. Post his victory he spoke about the slow courts of US Open 2019. 

Roger Federer made an error-strewn start under the roof of the Arthur Ashe Stadium. The Swiss came up with 58 winners 45 unforced errors and his second serve percentage was exceptionally poor throughout the match.

However, his ability to outplay his opponent during the important moments of the match saved him from experiencing a second-round defeat. “I did not expect to hit 15 to 20 errors in the first set and it’s basically the entire first set donated. My opponent forced me to do that, but I did get better,” he said. 

“Poor ball striking. It is a pretty dead court and you should feel the rhythm, the way you approach the ball and take the positives out of it. Once I lose the first set I do get better and which is a good thing,” Roger Federer said. In the opening set, Federer could only muster 8 winners compared to 17 unforced errors.

Federer continued to speak about the slow surface of Flushing Meadows. The US Open is considered to be the slowest hard-court Slam and the World Number three tennis player, Federer was unhappy with the court conditions. 

“It used to be sort of a windy Slam. We don’t have that anymore unless they put me on the outside court. I have had some windiest matches here in New York and that has changed a lot. I do believe it’s slower than it has been in previous years. I’m not sure if it’s the balls or the speed of the court, but it’s definitely not on the faster side. This was like an indoor match so it’s great for ball striking, big servers. It’s medium at best,” he added. 

“I also was told we are going to make it faster to last year. I don’t feel it that way, maybe I have to figure out how to play and how to get used to these conditions. To be quite honest, it reminds of the World Tour Finals. I hope the court gets faster in the second week and I hope to be there,” Federer said. 

At the beginning of the second set, Federer could save an important break point and began attacking wisely on the tennis court. He played a patient game engaged in long rallies and began attacking high balls on the net. Sending balls on Dzumhur’s forehand side benefited Roger Federer.

Federer’s second serve was the weak-point of the match, Dzumhur exploited that and won maximum points of the match from Federer’s second serves. Also, the Bosnian faced as many break chances as Federer did, but was unsuccessful in outplaying the Swiss maestro at those moments.

“It’s just a bit frustrating more than anything, especially when the level is that low and the energy isn’t kinda there,” Federer reflected on his erroneous tennis in the opening set and hopes to do better in the upcoming matches.

Wednesday’s clash was Federer’s 100th US Open match, and he presently holds an 87-13 win-loss record at the American Slam. With this win, he kept up his second round winning streak in New York.