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Page last updated at 05:55 GMT, Monday, 6 July 2009 06:55 UK

Does Federer have the perfect game?

Roger Federer
Federer will try to match Sampras's seven wimbledon titles next year

Roger Federer created history at Wimbledon by winning his 15th grand slam title.

The Swiss's epic win over American Andy Roddick moved him clear of Pete Sampras's record and he was again hailed by former players and his current peers as the greatest player to have ever played the game.

But what is the secret of his success?

BBC Sport caught up with three-time Wimbledon winner, Boris Becker, to analyse what makes him the best.

SERVE

"You wouldn't immediately think of Federer's serve being one of his biggest weapons, but he gets such a large percentage of his first serves in that it is so difficult to face.

His placement of where he puts the serve is second to none and it's so challenging for any opponent. He's also not afraid to go for his second serve and really mix it up."

FOREHAND

"This is the most powerful shot in his arsenal. He goes through the ball with his wrist so much and accelerates so quickly that he gets so much top spin.

The key to all of his strokes is his movement and on his forehand he can get around and get to most balls.

It is quite unique really, he has a pretty old fashioned Western grip which needs a lot of wrist work to get the top spin over, but he has got enough strength in his arm to do it."

BACKHAND

"I wouldn't really call his backhand a weakness, it is arguably his less powerful shot, but nevertheless it is very difficult to play against.

He is able to mix up the top spin with the backhand block return and therefore his constantly changing shot selection makes it difficult for his opponent to feel comfortable out there."

VOLLEYING

"His volleying is peerless. I don't see a player in today's game who gets anywhere near the sort of volleys he is able to play.

Roger Federer
Federer attacked the net 59 times in the final, winning 38 of the points

He is able to play low volleys, difficult volleys, drop shots off volleys. This is all possible for him because of his court coverage as he can come to the net quicker than most players.

He is the best of today's players but it is very difficult to compare him to John McEnroe, Rod Laver or Stefan Edberg as volleying was more common in their eras."

DEFENCE AND SPEED

"His defence all starts with his footwork. He is so fast that out of a bad position he can make a good play and that's what I would call his biggest weapon.

His speed and footwork means he almost comes across the court like a perfectly timed ballet dancer."

MENTAL STRENGTH

"The 2009 Wimbledon final was the perfect illustration of how mentally strong Roger Federer is. You can't come through situations like that match with Andy Roddick (Federer won the final set 16-14) unless you are really tough. He will always find a way to win.

Even on his not so good days his will to win and his determination not to give up until the match is finished makes him so tough to play.

I was worried, and I think everyone was worried, after his defeat to Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open in January (Federer lost the final set 6-2), but he is over that."

HOW IMPORTANT IS HIS PREPARATION AND SUPPORT TEAM?

606: DEBATE

"He keeps his off court preparation very quiet. He is very professional and doesn't need to talk about it and he really wants to keep it like that.

Officially he doesn't have a coach, but the Swiss Davis Cup coach Severin Luthi travels around with him a lot. His wife Mirka used to be a tennis player herself so she knows a thing or two about the sport and is with him at all times."

THE FUTURE

"The big question is, what is his motivation now broken the record of grand slam wins?

He wants to defend his US Open title, but he really has to sit down this summer and think about the next big target he wants to go for.

Men's tennis is in the best shape it has been in for a long time, with Federer and Nadal going head to head and Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic right behind them, it's a fascinating time."


Boris Becker was talking to BBC Sport's Paul Birch



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