Old Hand With New Move Keeps Everyone Guessing

Serena Williams was working out on Practice Court 1 on Monday, and between shots glanced over at Roger Federer on the adjacent court to see for herself.

Would Federer practice his daring new shot?

Federer has stirred curiosity on the tour since he unveiled an unusual return of service last month in a tournament in Cincinnati. Before returning an opponent's second serve, Federer, on a few occasions, darted forward to the edge of the service line and took the ball quickly with a little half-volley. (Complete coverage of US Open 2015)

"I totally look at him," Williams said Monday night. "I mean, he's Roger. Like, watching his returns: OK, so he is moving forward on that. Interesting."

What is perhaps most interesting is that Federer, who has had unprecedented success with 17 major titles, is rolling out this new weapon in his 18th year as a professional, at age 34. He began using it in practice. His coach, Stefan Edberg, encouraged him to keep trying, even if it felt awkward, even if he felt a bit like a prisoner stepping forward to face a firing squad.

Second serves can range above 105 mph, and here is one of the oldest players on the tour standing inches from where the ball hits the court, greatly reducing the time he has to react.

"When you lose a point with it you feel a bit ridiculous," Federer said Tuesday after employing it a handful of times in his 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 victory over Leonardo Mayer in the first round of the U.S. Open. "But when you win the point, it's a great feeling."

The big-serving Kevin Anderson was one of the first to see it in Cincinnati when he practiced with Federer and noticed Federer standing a foot behind the service line.

"I thought that was interesting," said Anderson, whose second serve is often measured well over 100 mph. "And then he did it in our match. It's a great shot. It's always important to be aggressive on the second serve. This is taking it to a whole new level."

Federer also used it against Feliciano Lopez and Andy Murray in Cincinnati, and then busted it out again in a first-set tiebreaker in the final against Novak Djokovic, which Federer won.

Throughout his career Federer has often employed the "chip-and-charge," slicing a return of service and attacking the net. But with this new shot, it is like jumping off a cliff. There is no going back.

"Sometimes I stand there and I'm like, 'Should I or shouldn't I?'" Federer said. "And  then it's like, 'OK, whatever, I'm going.'"

Very few players have even attempted it. Paul Annacone used to do a version of it in the 1990s, but not as committed as Federer. And it is not a gimmick or a trick shot. Federer is using it to win critical points, as he did against Djokovic and Mayer.

The first time the fans in Arthur Ashe Stadium saw it Tuesday, in the first game of the second set, many of them let out an, "Oooohhhh." Mayer, under pressure, tried to hit a passing shot, but it went long. On another occasion, Federer's block backhand went into the net. On another, Mayer double faulted, perhaps rattled to see Federer attacking again.

"It is very difficult to get the ball past him when he is already standing right there," Mayer said.

Djokovic, after his loss to Federer in Cincinnati, was not so keen to discuss it. "When he's returning second serves he was trying this week something new," Djokovic said after the final. "I have no comment about it."

Djokovic may have just been cranky from the loss. Few seem to think Federer is breaking any rules of etiquette. If he is daring enough to do it, then he deserves what he gets from it.

"I would laugh at somebody who brings up the etiquette of it," Anderson said. "You're playing to win. Yeah, it's a little different and I'm sure some people might get upset by it. But it's no different from any other shot."

As Federer enters his first major tournament with the shot, he seems to still be figuring it out as he grows more comfortable with it, and seeks a tactical advantage. But he also has another reason for doing it, too. It is fun.

"So far, I have really been enjoying it," he said, "and I hope I can keep it up against all these players."

© 2015 New York Times News Service