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Tennis world erupts over 'insane' Roger Federer moment

Roger Federer has sent tennis fans into a frenzy with some incredible words of wisdom for Alexander Zverev at the Laver Cup.

Team Europe retained the Laver Cup on Monday (AEST) after Alexander Zverev beat Kevin Anderson to give Bjorn Borg’s side an unassailable 13-8 lead in the team event.

Zverev won the final five points of the match to defeat Anderson 6-7 (3-7) 7-5 (10-7) and increase Team Europe’s advantage to an unassailable 13-8 – denying a final deciding rubber scheduled between Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios.

However it was an ‘insane’ mid-match pep talk from Federer to Zverev that was the major talking point afterwards.

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Team Europe poses with the trophy. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for The Laver Cup)
Team Europe poses with the trophy. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for The Laver Cup)

Zverev had just dropped the first set to Anderson and appeared to be struggling with the big South African’s serve.

Enter Federer, who showed off his incredible tennis IQ with some words of wisdom that turned the tide for Zverev.

“You can return from where Bjorn (Borg) said or you can find your return position,” he said.

“But once the rally gets going, you have to remind yourself to keep your position or move forward. Stop moving back and back and back.

Roger Federer showed off his coaching skills. Image: Laver Cup/Twitter
Roger Federer showed off his coaching skills. Image: Laver Cup/Twitter

“That’s why he’s able to get all these volleys because he has too much time, he gets a metre or two closer to the net.

“He gets a split second more time to get his legs in position or to run around, all this stuff.

“If you get closer to the baseline he won’t have that time. That’s my opinion.

“You slice and you come back so just stay in that position. Then you can also see the short balls.

“Back there you don’t have any short balls anymore so it’s hard to stay offensive.”

Zverev used Federer’s advice to turn the tables on Anderson, breaking serve soon after and going on to claim victory.

Tennis fans were left in awe of Federer’s remarkable pep talk, commending the Swiss legend for providing such a unique insight into his mind.

Zverev later admitted that Federer’s advice helped him win.

“He helped me a lot. He gave me some tactical advice and it worked,” Zverev said.

“I won the second set and I won the match tie-break. It was a team effort, everyone supporting, the energy was unbelievable.”

Earlier in the day, Federer survived two match points to overcome John Isner 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (8-6) 10-7 to put Europe 10-8 ahead.

Federer and Zverev had squandered two match points gone down to Isner and Jack Sock in the opening doubles of the final day 6-4 6-7 (2-7) 9-11 as Team World took their first lead in the event at 8-7.

Team Europe won the first Laver Cup last year in Prague.

with AAP