Nastase's serve today...

[don_budge]

Good Guy, Bad Guy...

Nastase vs. Smith...a prelude to the McEnroe vs. Borg rivalry which effectively concluded the classic era of tennis. Classic good guy vs. bad guy. Smith has a nice service motion too, but somehow it lacks the gracefulness of Nastase's. Maybe it's due to his height. Actually come to think of it, he is extremely graceful for his height...and what a great sport he was! The "Leaning tower of Pasedena".

[gzhpcu]

Here is a Nastase versus Kodes in Roland Garros clip...

http://www.ina.fr/sport/tennis/video...astase.fr.html

[tennis_chiro]

Classic one-handed backhand

Here is a Nastase versus Kodes in Roland Garros clip...

http://www.ina.fr/sport/tennis/video...astase.fr.html

I still love that style backhand. Kodes is good for giving an example for a student to emulate, but Nastase is sooo smooth. He just unwinds perfectly and completely into the ball, but directing everything efficiently towards the target. This is a great clip for demonstrating keeping the left shoulder still, following through to the target. Of course, they were hitting less topspin, but Nasty was one of the only players at that time who could pull off a backhand topspin lob.

don

[llll]

He had this drop....

this is a lefty
the other are rightys

[gzhpcu]

When I manipulated the photo, I inadvertently flipped the photo....

[stotty]

Classic one-handed backhand



I still love that style backhand. Kodes is good for giving an example for a student to emulate, but Nastase is sooo smooth. He just unwinds perfectly and completely into the ball, but directing everything efficiently towards the target. This is a great clip for demonstrating keeping the left shoulder still, following through to the target. Of course, they were hitting less topspin, but Nasty was one of the only players at that time who could pull off a backhand topspin lob.

http://www.ina.fr/video/CAF95050476/...ase-video.html
don

Yes it's a great example. Both backhands are great backhands. Left sides still.

I love the way Nastase unfurls his backhand, although he holds for quite a while before he commences the backswing, and I am not sure that aspect doesn't land him in trouble on the very last shot in the clip. And, yes, he was out on his own when it came to topspin lobs, be it on either wing.

The chipped forehand return was typical of Nastase, especially on clay. He was a wily customer on clay and should have eaten up the field at least until Borg came along.

It's a beautiful clip. I watched it over and over. I think Nastase is the most beautiful mover the game has ever had.

http://www.ina.fr/video/CAF95050476/...ase-video.html