Federer Practicing Leaning/ Leaping Backhand

[jimlosaltos]

Since there was some interest in the ATP piece on Denis Shapovalov's leaping, leaning, one-handed backhand, which I posted here, I dug around for evidence of other pros hitting this shot and found none other than Roger Federer. These are cropped, frame captures from a 2014 video of Fed practicing at Cincinatti, with Edberg watching on. I believe it is a return drill. Perhaps I'm spacing but I don't recall seeing him use this shot in match play.

He has Shapo's rear fire-hydrant-leg kick, but not as much elevation. <g>

FedLeapForBhd1.png
FedLeapForBhd2.png
FedLeapForBhd3.png
FedLeapForBhd4.png
FedLeapForBhd5.png


Slow motion video, link set to start at this drill:

https://youtu.be/lXJGRz1nep8?t=262

I included a thumbnail of Fed's conventional, block return. Different balance, takeback, etc.

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