“Young Roger Federer was just so smooth; he was just enjoying himself” - Tennis writer recalls

Veteran tennis author Joel Drucker recently spoke about his first impression of a young Roger Federer.

Drucker is the author of two books, including one about former World No. 1 Jimmy Connors, 'Jimmy Connors Saved My Life'. Speaking on the ATP Tennis Radio podcast alongside former WTA player Jill Craybas, Drucker discussed his impression of a 19-year-old Federer.

Looking back fondly at the teenager from Basel beating one of the greats of the game, Pete Sampras, at Wimbledon 2001, Drucker spoke about how Federer was "so smooth" even at that young age.

"I was at the Federer match when he beat Sampras in 2001, and he seemed to be in the junior, and I was like, Wow, this guy is so smooth; I think I remember that headband that he had, you know, the whole thing in his head, and he was just so smooth," he stated.

Drucker also talked about Federer's response after beating the then World No. 1 Sampras, 7-6, 5-7, 6-4, 6-7, 7-5. He further stated that the Swiss maestro would make a good yoga teacher.

"Being in the press conference when he was 19 and he beat Sampras, and he was so emotional about it, I was like, Wow, this guy is just enjoying himself. I think the thing that stuck with Roger is that he always kind of went downstream. It's like he would be a great yoga teacher, he never pushes it, always going downstream. Aware of the time, aware of the balance."

"He is just gliding, he is just gliding through the lounge, gliding through the practice court," Joel Drucker added.

"He is the most elegant player I have ever seen on a tennis court" - Holger Rune on Roger Federer

Laver Cup 2022 - Day Three

World No. 8 Holger Rune recently sang the praises of the Swiss great and called him the "most elegant player" he has ever seen.

Rune was last seen in action at the Miami Open, where he lost to Taylor Fritz in the Round of 16.

In a recent interview, the Dane was asked to name a retired player he would love to play with. Unsurprisingly, Rune took the former World No. 1's name.

"Roger Federer. I practiced with him at the Nitto finals in 2019 but never played a match against him. He is the most elegant player I have ever seen on a tennis court so I think I would be very inspired by playing against him," Rune said.

The Swiss veteran recently celebrated his wife's 45th birthday in Rome, along with his family and a couple of friends.