5 things for Roger Federer to look forward to in 2016

#4 A new secret weapon

An essential part of Federer’s coaching team, Severin Luthi (R) persuaded him to use the SABR

It may not be much of a secret anymore, but the SABR – or Sneak Attack By Roger – has flummoxed many an opponent of the Swiss this year. He debuted it midway through the 2015 season, using it to perfection in his dismantling of Novak Djokovic at the Cincinnati Masters.

Although Federer’s longtime idol Stefan Edberg recently took on a coaching role with the Swiss ace, it was in fact his longtime coach Severin Luthi who coaxed him to use the move. The pair had initially ‘discovered’ the move after a tired Federer wanted to leave practice and hit returns at his coach; of the SABR, he said that he discovered it by accident.

Luthi was instrumental in convincing Federer to use it in a match – and this proved to be the right decision, with the Swiss using it effectively against Djokovic and France’s Richard Gasquet.

It has been so effective that several of Federer’s opponents have tried to use it, notably among them his Olympic gold-winning doubles partner, compatriot and occasional opponent, Stan Wawrinka.

With the new year and a coaching team that boasts even more experience, perhaps Federer has another sneak attack up his sleeve.