Roger Feder’s tactic is disrespectful, insists Boris Becker
Six-time grand slam winner Boris Becker insists US Open semi-finalist Roger Federer’s disdain for his opponent’s serve would not have been tolerated in previous eras.
Federer’s tactic of advancing towards the net as his rival serves was in evidence on Wednesday night as he dispatched France’s Richard Gasquet 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 to advance to the last four at Flushing Meadows.
Federer meets fellow Swiss and French Open winner Stan Wawrinka today for a place in the final. Becker, meanwhile, is adamant that Federer’s ploy of rushing to the net is given far too much respect in the modern game.
“If he would have played a [John] McEnroe, [Jimmy] Connors, [Ivan] Lendl or even me, we would have said ‘Roger, in all honesty I like you very much but I’ll go straight at you’,” said Becker.
“In my generation guys would not have accepted as it is now.
“It’s almost disrespecting the other guy’s serve. Everybody talks about his new strategy, he comes in. It’s within the rules.”