Interactive Forum September 2015: The Hardcourt Slide

[johnyandell]

The Hardcourt Slide

It's common knowledge that on clay courts world class players regularly slide into their shots. In recent years observers have realized that with the speed and power of the athletes that this happens on hard court as well.

But are you amazed at the length of this slide by Novak Djokovic at Indian Wells reaching a short back near the net and captured at 4500 frames per second?

Is it something the players attempt or does it simply happen? Any implications for mortal tennis players?

[johnyandell]

Quicktime Version

The Hardcourt Slide

[klacr]

My ankles are sore just watching that.
Amazing video.

I believe that the hard court slide is just an adaptation to the modern game. The spin and speed of the ball has increased and the need for players to get there faster in position has created the slide on hard courts.

Great players find ways to make the technique work and make what once seemed impossible quite possible. If a player has enough body control and they apply force in the right way at the right angle then the can certainly slide on hard courts and be comfortable with it.

But I'm not teaching it to my club members

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[stotty]

I thought this was mostly a Djokovic thing? Are others doing it also? I hadn't noticed anyone doing it as prevelently as Djokovic.

I am not sure a player won't pay for this later down the line. Must be awfully hard on the joints.

[klacr]

I thought this was mostly a Djokovic thing? Are others doing it also? I hadn't noticed anyone doing it as prevelently as Djokovic.

I am not sure a player won't pay for this later down the line. Must be awfully hard on the joints.

I've seen others doing it. Monfils, Nadal, Gulbis, Clijsters are good examples of players who slide on hard courts.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[stotty]

I've seen others doing it. Monfils, Nadal, Gulbis, Clijsters are good examples of players who slide on hard courts.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

I am sure you are right. I haven't paid too much attention to it. I can't imagine Roger slides on a hardcourt, does he?

I was listening to the radio the other day and apparently someone has written a book about the artistic side of Roger Federer's game. The author says Roger's game is the most beautiful in history and that his entire repertoire is beautiful. Roger, he claims, has not one unsightly stroke. The author also states Federer's movement is sublime and comparable to a ballet dancer in terms of poise and grace.

Asked if anyone compares to Federer in terms of beauty, the author said some players have beautiful aspects to their game such as Rosewall with his backhand, but he could think of no one whose entire game was beautiful like Federer's.

I think Hoad had a beautiful game. All his strokes were good and he had no weaknesses. He was also very majestic the way he carried himself and moved.

But, back to this sliding business, I think some of these players are going to using zimmer frames by the time they get to sixty.

[klacr]

Stotty,

Agree with the author of the book. Fed's game is beautiful. Technically perfect on some shots is certainly up for debate, but the aesthetics of his play is sublime.

Federer does not slide on the hard courts, if he ever has I'm sure it was more of a defensive, breaking, slipping slide rather than an aggressive get to the ball slide.

Djokovic is the best in the world at the hard court slide. It really is crazy to see. I'm sure his equipment helps. Special soles on his shoes or something. Maybe equipment guru Geoff Williams would know.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[klacr]

Djokovic (via Adidas) files down the sole of his shoes to give him a greater ability to slide on the hard courts.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[tennis_chiro]

Check this ESPN sports science piece on sliding. The girl in the video is the same one that does a lot of the demos in my two articles here in 2008. Should note that she's been on injured reserve for about 20 of the last 24 months and just started playing tournaments again a couple of months ago. She should be having an impact again next spring.

Here's the link:

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=13550588

(note: it took some encouragement for me to get the video to come up, but this is the right link)

They make the point that there are some real advantages to being able to slide into the ball.

don

[klacr]

Good find tennis_chiro.

Love the girl at the 1:18 mark when she smiles. Enjoying herself. Always good to see that.

Who's the male player? Is that Karsten Popp from the Scott Murphy articles on this site?

Beautiful club.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[johnyandell]

Don,

Nice find. Usually when players do something there is a reason. Looks like the slide saves time under certain circumstances...what's next?????

[jperedo]

Would love to actually see an article addressing this technique.

Based on the frequency I am seeing of this in the pro game and juniors, it does seem to be something which is being taught. As dangerous as it seems, I am thinking that the risk can be reduced to an acceptable level given the proper technique, strength training and progressions are there.

Maybe Brian Gordon can come up with something

[johnyandell]

Yeah great question. You wonder is it a cause or a consequence?

[jperedo]

Hi John, by chance could you post more of these super slo mo slides? Thanks ...

[johnyandell]

jp,

There is one more of Andy Murray in the Forum.

https://www.tennisplayer.net/bulletin/forum/tennisplayer/3156-interactive-forum-october-2015-andy-murray-footwork-patterns?t=3071

The extended ones were pretty uncommon in our filming but if you look at the court movement patterns and the running forehands in the high speed archives I bet you can find some more.