Roger Federer’s tennis legacy boasts a masterful one-handed backhand and a timeless forehand. Yet, it’s his ‘tweener’ that continues to captivate audiences, particularly his iconic shot from the 2015 Wimbledon clash against Sam Querrey. This legendary moment, replayed countless times on YouTube, exemplifies Federer’s unique creativity. As Querrey himself attested, “He hits shots that other guys don’t hit,” a sentiment born from witnessing that audacious between-the-legs lob firsthand. Now, in 2025, it appears top players, like World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, are striving to perfect this signature move.
The three-time Slam queen and this year’s Australian Open runner-up is currently competing at the Indian Wells. On Wednesday, she played the fourth round encounter against British pro Sonay Kartal. The Belarusian beat her 6-1, 6-2 and advanced in the QF stage. Sabalenka’s only prior Indian Wells quarterfinal was in 2023, when she reached the final. More than the result, however, what caught everyone’s attention this time was her attempt at imitating Federer’s tweener shot.
In the first set, when she was leading 3-1 against Kartal, at 15-0, the Brit forced her to run back at the baseline. Eventually, Aryna Sabalenka figured out a way and took the racket between her legs to hit a lob over Kartal’s head. But guess what?
Her attempt failed as the opponent managed to hit back a strong winner. Sabalenka was left watching the ball go out of her reach in dejection. Later, WTA’s official X account took a hilarious jab at her ‘tweener’ version in a brief clip. The post read, “nearly worked ” To this, Sabalenka replied, “One day….maybe it will work ”
One day….maybe it will work https://t.co/11rn6RRzVg
— Sabalenka Aryna (@SabalenkaA) March 13, 2025
Not much might be aware that before 2015, Federer had already attempted the tweener – six years before. In 2009’s semifinal against Novak Djokovic, he played the shot with perfection, for the first time. Federer later called it “the greatest shot I ever hit in my life,” reported Sydney Morning Herald that year.
Not to mention, the Serbian was left awestruck as well. So much so that he later described it as one of his favorite shots. “It was a fantastic shot, definitely,” reported Tennis World USA back in October 2018. Roger Federer’s second tweener moment occurred during a 2010 US Open R128 match against Brian Dabul, a journeyman ranked 96th.
Fun fact: Aryna Sabalenka has won her last 17 matches against qualifiers/lucky losers, a streak that started after her 2022 loss to Vekic in San Dieg0.
But guess what? The WTA star isn’t the only to have tried Federer’s trick shot this week. Seems like it’s becoming a trend among ATP pros, too, as made evident by Danish pro Holger Rune. And you know what? Unlike Sabalenka, Rune nailed it!
Holger Rune shines as he channels his inner Roger Federer in Indian Wells
Stefanos Tsitsipas, fresh off his ATP 500 victory in Dubai, entered the R16 match against Holger Rune as the clear favorite. In stark contrast, Rune had battled adversity, including a near bout of food poisoning that forced his withdrawal from the Mexican Open. Despite these challenges, Rune started strong, seizing the first set and showing no signs of weakness.
Tsitsipas attempted a comeback in the second, and at 3-4, with Rune serving down two break points, the tension mounted. Tsitsipas unleashed a perfectly placed lob, seemingly poised to take control. However, Rune responded with the Federer-esque between-the-legs lob of his own, landing flawlessly and leaving Tsitsipas stranded. Not only that, it beat Tsitsipas as he failed to return the ball. The crowd erupted in thunderous applause, acknowledging Rune’s spectacular save.
“I had the expectation that I looked like Roger Federer when I hit it, and I didn’t quite do that. So that was disappointing, you know. Definitely felt better,” Rune said after the match.
That brilliant shot not only prevented a crucial break but also ignited Rune’s momentum, enabling him to hold serve and secure a decisive 6-4, 6-4 victory just two games later.
While Rune managed to pull off Swiss Maestro’s iconic shot, it will be intriguing to see if Aryna Sabalenka can do it too. She’s still got some opportunities at the Indian Wells. She’s set to play the QF round against Liudmila Samsonova on Friday.
The post Determined Aryna Sabalenka Sets Her Sights on Mastering Roger Federer’s Iconic Shot After Indian Wells Mishap appeared first on EssentiallySports.
