How would Federer do against a grass court player like Edberg, Rafter, or Becker?

Question

Does anyone still attack in tennis? Is the serve and volley game a thing of the past?

Answer 1

no not necessarily. the problem is, that the grass courts get slower and slower (due to the different kind of grass compared of earlier years. the sort of grass nowadays can stand much more stress but it absorbe the speed of the balls like clay does).
compare once pictures of the center court of Wimbledon after the tournament now and from 20 years ago.

for that reason clay court players like Nadal get the chance to reach the balls even from an attacker, what was nearly impossible 15-20 years ago.

but on hard courts i think, an attacker has still an advantage vs a baseline player.

Answer 2

He would probably beat Rafter and Becker. Edberg is my all-time favorite so I might be biased. I think Stefan Edberg in his prime would have given Federer trouble on grass. Edberg was arguably the greatest serve and volley player ever. Perhaps he would force Federer into more unforced errors.

I don't like the grass at Wimbledon. Towards the end of the tournament it plays a bit like clay. That is why I think Nadal made it so far.

Answer 3

Sampras at Wimbledon was 63-7 Federer at Wimbledon is 32-4 Any of you who put Federer above Pete better take another look. Federer winning streak on grass is impressive, but don't forget that he NEVER plays Queen's, which is always has a better field than Halle. Yes, Fed is a winner, but it is still premature by about 3-4 years to say he has had a more impressive career than Pistol Pete. In addition, as others have mentioned, there are no serve-and-volley players out there today (agree with possible exception of injury-prone Ancic - don't even try mentioning Roddick). Pete had to contend with numerous serve-and-volleyers like Ivanisevic, Becker, Rafter, Martin, Henman, and Philippoussis. Hands down, Pete had tougher grass court competition and he delivered. Finally, though both Pete and Roger have shown they can raise their game and absolutely blow their opponents off the court, I have to say Pete, even if he was down, was never out of a match (ask Corretja about that!). Federer has a ton of confidence in his game (and rightfully so), but Pete had heart! Game, set, match -- SAMPRAS!!!

Answer 4

Federer can win Becker (A-Rod is like Becker as a big server)

But Rafter and Edberg win Federer (higher chance than Sampras against Federer.

Since Rafter and Edberg's S&V is more classical than Pete's.

Answer 5

At their current form? Roger of course will do very well against all these three top grass court players.

The serve and volley game is not necessarily a thing of the past. There are still serve and volleyers out there: Amelie Mauresmo (she's a good serve and volleyer), Justine Henin (although she's more of a base liner).

Answer 6

Federer is the greatest player ever and would defeat the three mentioned...his ground game would negate an attacking player. Play at the baseline at the pro level has become so powerful, the attack has become through the extreme top spin used by players....it forces opponents to not charge the net. It is a much different game with players who are superior athletes to those of past eras.

Answer 7

I think he could probably beat anybody on grass. His shot making and his service game are second to none.

Answer 8

he would have beaten them