Roger Federer recalls: 'Two-handed backhand is easier, but I can not hit it'

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Equipped with a one-handed backhand, Roger Federer has been one of the most artistic players ever. Eager to play aggressive tennis and hit the ball on the rise and at his terms, Roger has always preferred a one-handed backhand over a more common two-handed one.

However, the Swiss understands the latter's advantages, saying he would advise his kids to implement a two-handed backhand, as it's much easier to hit it. He would not be the one to teach them how to shoot it properly, as he does not know how to do it.

Players usually targeted Roger's backhand throughout his career, often with no other way to harm him. However, Federer made significant changes in 2017 and used a new racquet to defend his backhand like never before. He made it a proper weapon that carried him toward three out of five Majors since the 2017 Australian Open.

Roger spoke about different backhands in Indian Wells 2019 following a 6-1, 7-5 victory over Peter Gojowczyk in 77 minutes. Federer saved six out of seven break points and pulled a break back in set number two to seal the deal in no time.

Gojowczyk faced 14 break points and gave serve away four times to hit the exit door. Roger had 24 winners and 18 unforced errors and dominated the shortest rallies up to four strokes to forge the significant lead. Federer was off to a flying start, losing only two points on serve in the opening set and building an early advantage.

He seized the fourth break chance in game two after Peter's double fault for an early advantage. The Swiss secured another break when the German sent a backhand long in game four to increase the lead. Roger went 5-0 in front with a service winner and wrapped up the opener with another at 5-1 to bring the set home in under 25 minutes.

Roger Federer spoke about a two-handed backhand in Indian Wells 2019.

Peter repelled four break points at the start of the second set and earned two break opportunities in game two. Roger erased both to keep his serve intact before Peter broke him two games later for a 3-1 lead.

The German could not stay in front for too long, though, as the Swiss pulled the break back in the next one. Gojowczyk fired two winners to repel a couple of break chances in game seven and had a tremendous opportunity to forge another lead in the next one.

Roger played against four break chances and blasted four winners to save them and lock the result at 4-4. Peter fell on the last obstacle despite a solid effort and gifted Roger a break in the 11th game after a costly double fault.

Federer held at 15 a few minutes later to seal the deal and advance into the third round. "I would go for a two-handed backhand for all four kids because it's easier; it's that simple. If they want to change that later, I will teach them to hit a one-handed backhand.

But I can not teach them a double-hander as I can not hit that one; that's somebody else's job. At the end of the day, like with everything in life, you also have your character. Some people change it at eight, some at 14, and some later because they find it a good challenge.

And who cares anyway if they hit a double-hander or not? It should not be in the press," Roger Federer said.