Very interesting article.
The fact that Sampras was able to DO something in those 2/100 of a second confirms the capabilities of the highly trained player.
BTW, the two clips at the top, showing Sampras serving in the deuce down the T and wide, confirm IMO my assertion that the rocking motion of the player / his weight transfer is critical. Just watch him "falling" down the T (in the left clip) and along a line directed wide (in the right clip).
This might be too much, but I am also saying that watching that rocking motion and where the body falls shows you (albeit too late, perhaps) the very probable direction of the serve coming to you, when you're returning. Of course, the server's hand can still do a lot in tricking you, but the very last part of the rocking motion (i.e. where the server's body is falling) should be a very important information to process.
The fact that Sampras was able to DO something in those 2/100 of a second confirms the capabilities of the highly trained player.
BTW, the two clips at the top, showing Sampras serving in the deuce down the T and wide, confirm IMO my assertion that the rocking motion of the player / his weight transfer is critical. Just watch him "falling" down the T (in the left clip) and along a line directed wide (in the right clip).
This might be too much, but I am also saying that watching that rocking motion and where the body falls shows you (albeit too late, perhaps) the very probable direction of the serve coming to you, when you're returning. Of course, the server's hand can still do a lot in tricking you, but the very last part of the rocking motion (i.e. where the server's body is falling) should be a very important information to process.
Comment