“It’ll be fun to find out what it’s like to play on a court with mixed surfaces,” Said Federer. “And it ought to be interesting to see who chooses the better tactic.”

19 days and $1.63 million was needed to create the court. The organizers had to lay a brand new surface on the grass side of the court the night before the match after the original turf had failed to cope with the indoor location and fell victim to a plague of worms.

The players were given an extended two minutes during changeovers instead of the usual 90 seconds to change footwear.

Nadal comes from Mallorca and has the home-court advantage. The Spaniard prevailed 7-5 4-6 7-6 (12-10)

“It has been a nice experience, although before the match I thought it would be a disaster because I felt it would be very difficult for me to adapt to the court,” said Nadal. “I have had a good time and that is important. Both of us would like to repeat this experience because, although the match was not a real one, it allowed us to play for points without much tension and to play more relaxed.”

Here’s a clip of the actual match:

1. KICK IT OLD SCHOOL
I like to say that Roger Federer has brought the old-school game of tennis to the modern world. He plays with tremendous variety of shot and strategy, and it was all on display in his 6-0, 7-6 (3), 6-0 rout of Lleyton Hewitt, a player whose tenacity usually gives his opponents fits. What Federer shows is that there is no substitute for being a well-rounded player and having options when you step on the court.

2. BE PATIENT
Because Hewitt plays a conservative, defensive style, it was up to Federer to decide when to go on the offensive. Hewitt couldn’t hurt him from the baseline, so Federer waited for a ball that would allow him to take control of the point. When you face a determined counter-puncher, try not to get overeager. The surest way to defeat such an opponent is to be patient and work each point until you have a clear opening.

3. HANG TOUGH
Even though Hewitt lost the first eight games, he still fought hard. If he had gotten a few lucky breaks he would have been back in the match. When you’re playing an opponent who is on fire, keep making him hit shots. If he continues to hit winners, then he’s too good that day. But many times you’ll weather the storm. Federer cooled off considerably in the second set, and Hewitt kept plugging away and nearly stole it.

4. PLAY BIG IN THE BREAKER
Federer realized the importance of the second set tiebreaker. Winning it would give him a two-set lead and destroy the momentum Hewitt had gained by clawing his way back into the match. Federer elevated his game and reeled off the first four points of the breaker. Instead of trying to take the initiative, Hewitt played the points hoping Federer would make errors. You have to put a premium on every point in a tiebreaker. Play each one as if it’s a break point.

5. TAKE THE BALL EARLY
Federer’s ability to move from well behind the baseline to the middle of the court, from defense to offense, is unbelievable. Once he recognizes that a ball is going to be short, he moves up to take it early. That’s how he hit most of his winners against Hewitt. If you take the ball even a half-second earlier, that’s better than adding 10 m.p.h. to your shot because you’re being aggressive while still playing within your comfort zone.

Article by Patrick McEnroe, Photo by Ron Angle – Tennis.com

Roger Federer is fundamentally sound in all areas of the court—he can produce great shots either from the baseline or up at net, which contributes to his success on every surface. These photos illustrate the excellent technique he uses on both high and low volleys. The world’s best player maintains perfect control over his body, making difficult shots look easy.

CHEST HIGH

HEAD:
You can virtually draw a line from the center of Federer’s head to a spot right in the middle of his feet. This produces an incredible center of gravity that allows him to move like a ballet dancer on the court.

CHIN:
Federer’s chin is practically touching his right shoulder as he watches the ball into the sweet spot. Many players prematurely pull their heads away to watch the volley and end up shanking the shot.

LEFT ARM:
Like a figure skater or skateboarder, Federer extends his left arm out for good balance. Imagine walking a tightrope— you’ve got to have both arms out to maintain your equilibrium.

WRIST:
By keeping his racquet head above his wrist, Federer can volley with power and control. This kind of technique promotes a stable racquet face.

HIPS:
Federer’s legs and hips are perpendicular to the net, which will help him direct the ball toward his intended target. When the hips open up, you tend to cut across the ball and create difficult-tocontrol inside-out spin.

LEFT FOOT:
Notice that Federer’s left foot is off the court at impact. This means he’s transferring his weight forward through the shot by pushing off his back leg.

ANKLE HIGH

HEAD:
By keeping his head, chin, and right shoulder down through contact, Federer concentrates on hitting and directing the ball. He doesn’t allow his opponent’s movement or positioning to distract him.

LEFT KNEE:
To get down for the ball, Federer bends with his legs, and not just at the waist. His left knee is bent to almost 90 degrees, which gets his eyes closer to the ball for added accuracy.

LEFT CALF:
Look at the muscle definition of Federer’s lower leg. Although he’s known for his quickness, Federer still possesses great lower-body strength. This is particularly helpful for handling low volleys below the tape, which require significant bending and balance.

CONTACT POINT:
Federer hits the ball when it’s just about even with his left foot, giving himself a stable racquet and controlled shot. When the ball is out in front of you, there’s no opportunity to drive the volley, and it’s tougher to direct.

RIGHT HEEL:
The right heel coming off the court shows that Federer has transferred most of his weight forward into the shot. If you don’t do this on the low volley, you can easily pop the ball up.

LEFT FOOT:
With his left foot well out in front of his body and his right foot well behind it, Federer has a wide and balanced base. This will help him stay down through the shot.

RACQUET HEAD:
This is where you can bend the rule about keeping the racquet head above your wrist. Federer needs to get the racquet head below the ball to drive it over the net without scooping it.

Article by Ken Flach, Photos By Clive Brunskill, Nadine Rupp – Tennis.com

In preparation for the Dubai Duty Free Men’s Open, tennis legend, Andre Agassi and the world No. 1, Roger Federer, couldn’t resist the temptation to have a friendly knock about on the world’s highest tennis court, the helipad of Burj Al Arab, the world’s most luxurious hotel.Both players are in Dubai to compete in the US$1 million Dubai Duty Free Men’s Open, which is the first round of the two-week Dubai Tennis Championships.

article from http://www.burj-al-arab.com/tennis/

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