Have a Question for Me?

[normand_trempe]

footwork

Thanks for the comments. Doubt though you'd see any categorical technical differences in the players you mention.

I think the main difference would be the footwork. I just read that the Chang's after Michael's win in the 1989 Roland Garros set out to work and build him a new footwork. It seems it worked well for him. Also, the players that are 5 feet 5 like rochus, or 5 feet 9 like Chang or Clement they have to do so many more steps to reach the ball then big players like a Sampras or a Federer, that they don't have as much time to get in solide balance for theyr shots. I feel they have to hit so many more balls in active balance as opposed to static balance ?? It would be interesting to see all those shots they make while on the run etc. ;-) They do something miraculous, i am shure of that! And i would love to study that. I would be curious to know how many players in the top 100 are under 5 feet 9... Tovarich

[johnyandell]

well, we'll continue to put players up as we film them but not from the past as sadly the footage doesn't really exist. Not sure I agree that the shorter players take "many" more steps--most shots are 2 3 steps at most and the stride length is only slightly less.

My own opinion is that we often look for magic bullets in the strokes/patterns of certain players when these things are always commonalities.

[normand_trempe]

well, we'll continue to put players up as we film them but not from the past as sadly the footage doesn't really exist. Not sure I agree that the shorter players take "many" more steps--most shots are 2 3 steps at most and the stride length is only slightly less.

My own opinion is that we often look for magic bullets in the strokes/patterns of certain players when these things are always commonalities.

thanks! maybe you are right about the magic bullets.

[uspta4201423750]

Hey John,

When reading the ready position article, I was hoping to find some info about the hands in respect to the grip. What's the difference between serve return ready hands like Davydenko, Nalbandian, Djokovic where the raquet is equally ready for both backhands and forehands (the right palm faces the left side fence), or a ready grip like Sharapova with the strings/ raquet face facing the ground and the raquet more ready for a forehand with the right palm facing the ground. Which ready position is superior and why?
Thanks, Harry Kingsley

[johnyandell]

Harry this isn't really a question for me. Post it for Michael as a new thread--let him respond.

[uspta146749877]

Return of serve by Sharapova

Harry,
there are scenarios when Sharapova is using a grip close to eastern
forehand grip when ready for a serve.A face of a racket is NOT facing ground.
Please see links below
julian

http://www.tennisplayer.net/members/strokearchive/pro_woman/maria_sharapova/ms_forehand_return/ms_1st_serve_deuce/ms_1st_serve_deuce.html?MSFHRet1stSDeuceFront1.mov

http://www.tennisplayer.net/members/strokearchive/pro_woman/maria_sharapova/ms_forehand_return/ms_1st_serve_deuce/ms_1st_serve_deuce.html?MSFHRet1stSDeuceFront2.mov

[uspta4201423750]

Yeah, but there is still a slight tilt towards the forehand side, making it easier for her forehand return and tougher on her backhand, which I can't understand. Why do that? Nadal is probably a better example; he is way more ready for a forehand than a backhand. Check him out. HArry Kingsley

[uspta4201423750]

John,

Who is Michael and how do I contact him?

Harry Kingsley

[johnyandell]

He wrote the article you referred to, and as I said, if you start a thread and post your question there I'll ask him to respond.

[uspta146749877]

Pro return of serve

Yeah, but there is still a slight tilt towards the forehand side, making it easier for her forehand return and tougher on her backhand, which I can't understand. Why do that? Nadal is probably a better example; he is way more ready for a forehand than a backhand. Check him out. HArry Kingsley

Harry,
I understand your question.
Let me give you one extra reference.
The last part of

http://www.tennisplayer.net/members/tour_strokes/bobby_bernstein/the_%20pro_return/the_%20pro_return.html

maybe of interest for this exchange of thoughts.
It addresses the issue of grips for a return of serve.
You may see

http://www.tennisplayer.net/bulletin/showthread.php?t=776&highlight=return+serve

Some of my students ask the same question you do,very suprising
One of possible answers is that one hits a forehand return of serve MORE FREQUENTLY.

regards,
julian uspta 27873
juliantennis@comcast.net

PS
A Hamlet clip of Djokovic is interesting as well

http://www.tennisplayer.net/members/high_speed_archive/pro_men/HD/Novak_Djokovic/Serve_Returns_Net/Serve_Returns_Net.html?djokovic_fh_return_1stS_deuce_front.mov

The phrase Hamlet should be self-explanatory.

A part of an answer to the question why Nadal does what he does starts from the fact that his primary surface
has been red clay which allows for a bit different coaching approach in cases of
very gifted players.

Nadal moves back on some returns of serve-it allows him to have more time for a grip change
if necessary.Please see that other players like Murray move FOREWARD.


You may see

http://www.tennisplayer.net/bulletin/showthread.php?t=776&highlight=return+serve

[uspta4201423750]

Thanks Julian,

I agree with the Djokovic style (for 2 handers), as well as the article you linked for me; I'm just trying to figure out my son's pro that he is working with right now who wants to change him to a Nadal style preparation. Is there any benefit to doing that? Harry Kingsley

[uspta146749877]

Wait and see

Thanks Julian,

I agree with the Djokovic style (for 2 handers), as well as the article you linked for me; I'm just trying to figure out my son's pro that he is working with right now who wants to change him to a Nadal style preparation. Is there any benefit to doing that? Harry Kingsley

Harry,
I teach the way your son's pro teaches.
So you have one vote in his favor.
I would suggest to wait ans see a bit.
I will expand this post as well.
julian

[uspta4201423750]

why? What's the advantage? harry

[uspta146749877]

Forehand return of serve is hit MORE FREQIENTLY

why? What's the advantage? harry

Harry,
one of possible answers is that one hits a forehand return of serve MORE FREQUENTLY.Therefore a grip is chosen for RETURNS which do happen
MORE FREQUENTLY IS "BETTER".

It is NOT obvious to me how detailed response is expected from me.
However I will try to provide a more detailed answer below.

A more expanded answer looks as follows:

Seven additional factors are involved as well:

1.whether a player moves backwards or forward on a return of serve.
This factor is discussed in

http://www.tennisplayer.net/members/tour_strokes/bobby_bernstein/the_%20pro_return/the_%20pro_return.html

Moving backwards allows for more time to switch a grip if necessary.

2.whether a player moves laterally ( related to item #1 above)

3.how quickly a switch of grip can be accomplished.It is very player dependent
but it could be drilled to make it quicker.

4.do we switch from western grip to eastern backhand grip
if necessary? or do we go from semi-western to continental ( double fisted
backhand) ?

5.does a player avoid backhand return of serve?
(related to some extent to #1 and #2 above)

6.What is a starting court position of a player?

7.What is a position of a player at a contact point?
i.e how far away from a baseline

Moving laterally,as you probably know, limits placement of return.
julian

[uspta4201423750]

I'm sure most people would rather hit a forehand return than a backhand return, but I doubt statistics would support the claim that professional players hit more forehand serve returns than backhand returns. If you're playing me and you (like the majority of players at all levels) have a better forehand than backhand, you won't see too many forehands all match. I'll have to watch a match and count what percent serves go where, but I doubt anybody at the pro level is trying to serve to avoid people's backhands. What do you think? Harry