WATCH: Gael Monfils Tries To Emulate Roger Federer’s 19-Year-Old Iconic Shot at Indian Wells 2021
Matthew Perez Roger Federer is one of the most elegant tennis players of all time. It’s unbelievable how the Swiss maestro hits shots so effortlessly. Federer is currently rehabilitating from his knee surgery but has given some positive development on the same. He also revealed that he hopes to return to the tennis courts very soon.
Gael Monfils is known for his athleticism and his court coverage. The Frenchman has also portrayed some unorthodox tennis shots during his matches. Moreover, people absolutely adore those moments as they draw the loudest cheers. At Indian Wells, Monfils tried to hit an iconic Roger Federer shot, and he almost succeeded.
Gael Monfils emulates Roger Federer
Gael Monfils is through to the round of 16 at Indian Wells. After beating Kevin Anderson in straight sets, Monfils is all set to face Alexander Zverev in his next round. In his match against Kevin Anderson, Monfils tried to emulate a shot Federer hit 19 years ago.
USA Today via Reuters
Aug 12, 2021; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Gael Monfils of France returns a ball to Frances Tiafoe of the United States (not pictured) at Aviva Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
In 2002, when Roger Federer was competing against Andy Roddick, he hit a bizarrely strong shot which stunned everyone, including Roddick. The shot was more like a strong forehand serve during the rally.
Gael Monfils also attempted this shot in his third-round contest against Anderson. However, Monfils missed the point by a very small margin. Monfils was gutted as he found out that the ball landed on the wrong side of the line. Despite missing the interesting shot, Monfils has comfortably reached the top 16 of Indian Wells.
Gael Monfils to face Alexander Zverev in the Round of 16
The Frenchman is playing praiseworthy tennis since US Open 2021. Monfils remarkably reached the semi-finals at Moselle Open and the finals of Sofia Open. However, the Frenchman couldn’t convert those performances into titles. At Indian Wells too, Gael Monfils is showing his class as he has reached the fourth round of the competition after beating Kevin Anderson.
via Getty
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 06: Alexander Zverev of Germany returns against Jannik Sinner of Italy during his Men’s Singles round of 16 match on Day Eight of the 2021 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 06, 2021 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Monfils will be locking horns with the World No. 4 Alexander Zverev. Zverev, who beat the three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray in the third round, looks optimistic. The German is having an extraordinary 2021 season as he continues to excel.
It’ll be interesting to see if Monfils can cause an upset against the third-seed.
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