Christopher Eubanks thinks there is one quality Roger Federer has that he is not given enough credit for.
The Swiss Maestro is lauded for his graceful and elegant playing style and dominance throughout his career which produced multiple Grand Slam titles.
His career is also defined by his rivalries with Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, a trio known by many as the ‘Big 3’.
But for all Federer’s qualities as a tennis player there is one that Eubanks, a former Wimbledon quarter-finalist, thinks is underrated.
What does Christopher Eubanks think is an underrated aspect of Roger Federer’s game?
Christopher Eubanks appeared in a YouTube video posted by the ATP Tour in which he dissected Roger Federer’s victory over Nadal in the 2005 Miami Open final.
The Spaniard, who was just 18 at the time, opened up a two-set lead over the then World number one in what was their second career meeting. But Federer rallied and produced a magnificent comeback to claim a 2-6 6-7(4) 7-6(5) 6-3 6-1 victory.
This prompted Eubanks to suggest that the 43-year-old’s fighting spirit is something he the 20-time Grand Slam winner deserves more recognition for.
“What was really cool about this match to me is that it showcased a level of Federer which doesn’t get talked about enough, which is his fighting spirit,” Eubanks said.
“It’s windy, I’m a bit under the weather, I’m down two sets and break in a five set match. I’ve got a big hill to climb.
“It would be so easy to check out mentally but he doesn’t do that, so he is able to break Rafa at 4-2 in the third and gets it back on serve. From this point on he hits another level, he hits another gear for sure.”
How many titles did Roger Federer win?
There is no doubt that resilience and fighting spirit was needed for Federer to win 103 titles during the course of his legendary career.
Only Jimmy Connors with 109 has claimed more titles than the Federer and they are the only two players to surpass a century of trophies won.
Some of Federer’s most hard-fought title wins came at Grand Slams. For example, he came from two sets down in the third round of the 2009 French Open and reversed a two-set deficit in the fourth round.
He also overturned a two sets to one deficit in the semi-finals before claiming a straight-sets win in the final to complete the career Grand Slam.
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