Shapovalov and Kokkinakis, on playing against Federer: "You feel like he is mocking you"

Carlos Navarro | 26 Nov 2024 | 16.42

Thanasi Kokkinakis, after defeating Federer in Miami 2018.

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Many of the players who are still active on the ATP circuit had the opportunity to face the great Roger Federer. This is the case for Denis Shapovalov and Thanasi Kokkinakis, who shared a panel during the UTS in Frankfurt and reminisced about what it meant to compete against the Swiss genius. The memories, of course, come with a sense of disbelief at what Roger was capable of doing:

"Federer makes you feel like a junior player, literally. I faced him in the Miami semifinals after defeating good players like Tiafoe or Rublev... and I felt like a junior on the court. It was impressive," noted Denis, echoed by the Australian: "No one makes you feel more powerless than him. I have never seen him sweat. He also had the biggest calves on the tour; if he shaved his legs, game over. It seems like he doesn't even exert effort. He's mocking you. At least, when Rafa plays, he shouts, you feel that at some point, they might be dominating him; Nole slips... but Federer seems to be joking around while playing," Thanasi stated, who managed to beat him in Miami 2018.

A gem from Kokkinakis, Shapovalov & Thiem on what it was like playing Federer 😂

Shapo: “He’ll literally make you feel like a junior..”

Kokk: “Never seen him sweat dude. Biggest calves ever, if he shaved…”

Thiem: “Play heavy spin to the backhand, then..”

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— TennisONE App (@TennisONEApp) November 26, 2024