Serena’s ex-coach, Rick Macci, says Roger Federer’s forehand is the best everRoger Federer is widely regarded as one of the greatest tennis players in history, and many even consider him the very best.
The Swiss star sits second on the all-time ATP titles list with 103, just behind Jimmy Connors’ record of 109.
That impressive tally includes 20 Grand Slam titles, placing Federer third on the all-time list behind Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.
While he had a well-rounded game, it was his forehand that stood out most. Serena Williams’ former coach, Rick Macci, has even called it the best forehand in tennis history.
In an interview with TSH Tennis, Macci said: “I’d go with Federer. Here’s why. Simply because he was one of the first of the Mohicans.
“He played with a hybrid grip, like not really semi-western. He was between an eastern and a semi. He played right on the baseline, and he took it right off the bounce.
“And the reason why I say that, when I’ve had juniors or people I know, they got to play against Federer, Nadal and Djokovic.
“All of them said I’d rather play Djokovic and Nadal than Federer because when they went to play Federer, they just felt so rushed.
“So it’s Federer. I know a lot of people say Rafa because of all his spin, and obviously, on clay, you would say Nadal; he’s brutal to your backhand, but it would be Federer.”
When it comes to the backhand, Macci puts Djokovic at the top of the list.
He explained: “It’s not even close. It’s a rubber band man. The Serbian sniper, Djokovic. His range of motion, the way he does it, right arm straight, left elbow bent, racket head above. He pulls with the right.
“He pushes with the left, the pull in the flip. It looks like he’s eating breakfast when he hits the ball. He’s not even trying. Have you ever noticed that?”
“His backhand is a knife through butter; it’s money in the bank. Djokovic by far. There have been many great backhands, but I would go for the Joker.”
Across his career, Djokovic finished with positive head-to-head records against both Nadal and Federer.
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