Serena Williams’ ex-coach details why Roger Federer’s slice backhand is ‘best ever’

Federer on his backhand slice

In 2019, Federer made his last US Open appearance. That year, Federer reached the quarterfinal before surprisingly losing to Grigor Dimitrov.

During that year’s US Open, Federer was asked to reveal the secret to his incredible slice backhand. “It’s the only shot I could hit when I was younger because of a lack of power in my shoulder. I struggled to come over [the top] when I was little.

Then, as I grew stronger, my backhand started to evolve in terms of my coming over the backhand. But my base, in a way, has always been my slice. I always enjoyed playing that shot,” Federer told the US Open website at the time.

Nowadays, Federer is enjoying retirement life. In late 2023, Federer appeared at the Shanghai Masters as a special guest. When asked if there were any chances of seeing him return to pro tennis, 42-year-old Federer underlined that “that is not even a thought.” With that statement, Federer confirmed that he is retired for good. In several of his interviews since retiring, Federer mentioned that he enjoys living a more stress-free life.