"Service"
Federer's first serve is typically around 200km/h, although he can crank it up to around 210km/h (Andy Roddick holds the record, with 248km/h). Federer's second serve usually has a heavy kick. Tennis coach Nick Bollettieri on Federer's serve: "I rate his serves as one of the best. What makes Federer dangerous is that he can boom you, he can slide it out, he can kick it – that's what makes his serve so damned good. And it's consistent. You can't attack his serve because you don't know the variety, you don't know the pace." (Keystone/EPA/B. Echavarri)
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"Return to sender"
Federer preparing to return serve on the clay courts of Roland Garros in Paris. The French Open is the only grand slam title he has yet to win. Nick Bollettieri on Federer's return of serve: "Federer can chip his return a lot more than Andre [Agassi, one of the greatest returners of serve ever]. Andre was more of an aggressive returner, with very few mistakes and with some spin. Federer can underspin it, he can chip it, he can slice it, he can hit over it. His return of serve has a variety – he is not one-dimensional. Only a few players can do that." (EPA/Oliver Weiken)
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"Forehand"
John McEnroe has called Federer's forehand "the greatest shot in our sport". Federer generates extreme pace by hitting through his forehand on a straighter plane than nearly any other player - he finishes his swing wrapped around his back, whereas most players end up "scratching their backs" with the racket coming over their shoulder. Nick Bollettieri on Federer's forehand: "His grip is almost what we would call a weak semi-western – not an unorthodox grip at all – it's between a strong eastern and weak semi-western. What makes him able to do what he does is his balance and foundation on contact." (AP Photo/Apichart Weerawong)
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"Backhand"
Nick Bollettieri on Federer's backhand: Bollettieri disagrees with people who have said Federer's backhand is a weakness. "I don't think he has a weakness. He can slice [his backhand], he can hit over it, he can drive it. You've got to remember that when your forehand is so good, sometimes people will look at you and try to pick out a weakness." (AP Photo/Francois Mori)
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"Smashing"
"Roger's got too many shots, too much talent in one body. It's hardly fair that one person can do all this: his backhands, his forehands, volleys, serving, his court position. The way he moves around the court, you feel like he's barely touching the ground. That's the sign of a great champion." Rod Laver, former world number one and the only man in the open era (post-1968) to win the Grand Slam. (AP Photo/PA, Gareth Copley)
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"Net game"
Nick Bollettieri on Federer's volleying: "I don't think Roger is a pure serve-volleyer as some of the old-timers were. I don't think he lacks the ability to do it – but he is not a pure serve-volleyer. I think that in this modern day of tennis that's what makes him so dangerous – he can serve and come in; he can serve, hit a weak ball and come in; he can serve and stay back..." (EPA/Paul Buck)
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"Touch"
"[Federer] is a magician with a racket. Even when he is playing badly, which is rarely, he can still do things with his racket nobody else can do." Goran Ivaniševic, former world number two. (EPA/Julian Smith)
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"Smooth mover"
"Roger has it all, he's just so graceful, elegant and fluid – a symphony in tennis whites. Roger can produce tennis shots that should be declared illegal. "Tracy Austin, former world number one. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
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"Looking right"
Receiving medical treatment during the 2005 Australian Open against Marat Safin. Safin won in five sets. Federer has been working with physical trainer Pierre Paganini (not pictured) for more than ten years. "You can have all the shots but if you aren't there in time it doesn't matter, and Roger knows that. Even when I'm really tough on him he never stops working and he never wants to stop. That's the kind of man he is and that's why he is a champion," Paganini told The Guardian. (Keystone/AP Photo/Mark Baker)
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"Crowd pleaser"
Federer takes a bow after winning the 2007 Australian Open, which he had previously won in 2004 and 2006. Federer greatly appreciates his fans and tries to make time for as many people as he can, always remaining down-to-earth. "If you met him at McDonald's and you didn't know who he was, you'd have no idea he's one of the best athletes in the world." Andy Roddick, former world number one. (EPA/Barbara Walton)
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"That winning feeling"
Federer celebrates after beating nemesis Rafael Nadal in the semifinals of the 2006 Tennis Masters Cup. "Battle for number one?" said Nadal, when asked about his rivalry with Federer. "But I am already the best tennis player on Earth – Roger is from another planet." (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
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"That second winning feeling"
Federer is overcome after winning his first Wimbledon - and his first grand slam title - in 2003. "There are people who don't smile when they win, and there are people who smile for weeks afterwards. I'm the kind of guy who lets the tears flow," he said. (Reuters/Jeff J. Mitchell)
Reuters
Federer in his natural habitat – with analysis and insight from experts.
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