USA/FILE: TENNIS: Ahead of U.S. Open, world's top players question legitimacy of Roger Federer's trick shot, which has become popular viral video

Record ID: 654585

  • Title: USA/FILE: TENNIS: Ahead of U.S. Open, world's top players question legitimacy of Roger Federer's trick shot, which has become popular viral video
  • Date: 29th August 2010
  • Summary: NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (AUGUST 28, 2010) (REUTERS) ROGER FEDERER AT PRESS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (English) ROGER FEDERER SAYING: "Um, well, that you can only do when you're confident, you know? I was able to only do that after my vacation after two weeks. If you would have done that after Wimbledon, I couldn't have done it. So it was a fun thing." PHOTOGRAPH
  • Embargoed: 13th September 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky,Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA8REU7X87MUF9V52DH6IQG90GX
  • Story Text: Roger Federer may be the best living tennis player, but a viral video has sparked a debate about just how skilled the 16-time Grand Slam champion is.
    Federer has captured much of the attention going into the U.S. Open thanks to an online video in which he appears to knock a can clean off a man's head with his serve -- twice.
    Filmed on the set of Federer's latest Gillette advertisement, the video was posted on youtube.com and quickly spread around the web quickly passing five million hits.
    "I mean I couldn't believe the amount of hits it got. I mean, it was first, it's all of a sudden out. And then, okay, if it's already out, I'll put it on my Facebook page and on my website, because I'm sure fans would also like to see it instead of seeing it from someone else," explained Federer.
    Queried on the shot's authenticity, a coy Federer said a magician never reveals his tricks.
    "Well, that you can only do when you're confident, you know? I was able to only do that after my vacation after two weeks. If you would have done that after Wimbledon, I couldn't have done it. So it was a fun thing," said Federer.
    But other top tennis players, revealed their thoughts on the video on Saturday (August 28) ahead of start of the U.S. Open.
    "Let me just say that I would not hold that thing on my head, even if it was Roger Federer. There's your answer," replied Kim Clijsters, when asked about the shot.
    Andy Murray was much clearer than the the 2005 and 2009 women's champion.
    "I like the advert, it was good fun," he said. "There's not a chance it's real, though."
    Most of the top tennis players on tour -- Rafael Nadal, Andy Roddick and venus Williams -- actually had not seen the video, but howed some doubt as to the possibility of acheiving the feat.
    "Two in a row? I wouldn't like my chances. Or I wouldn't like the chances of someone standing there with their head in the way of it either," cracked Roddick.
    Regardless of its legitimacy, Federer was content to let the argument rage and excited for the free publicity to his sport.
    "I'm happy then that so many people have seen it, liked it, and debated about it. I was shocked. In one or two takes, it was very quick and easy. It took five, ten minutes, and that was it. It was at one of the shoots I did after Wimbledon in Zurich, and we have a fun time doing it. It was a good thing," the Swiss maestro concluded.
    Federer and company will get to test their serves at on Monday (August 30), when the Open starts in New York.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register