My Thoughts on the McEnroe Forehand...

[10splayer]

Bottle,

First of all, i did not coin the term "flip". I only shared my thoughts on what it meant..OK? This is, after all a forum.

Secondly, I wouldn't even bring it up, (i have better things to do) if not for your little comment i highlighted in post 57. Which was, a bit snide and inaccurate in my opinion. You brought it up, not me. So if the thread is being sidetracked, well then.......

Anyway, If you'd like to discuss the substance of my post, than i would be more than happy to do that...thats how this thing works....

[stotty]

I hit 30 minutes worth of forehands at my club today. I use continental, always have. My wrist is relaxed and passive most of the time. If I want more than a modicum amount of topspin, however, I have to pump my wrist quite a lot. For a topspin lob I have to snap my wrist somewhat. The more topspin I need, the more pump is required. Snapping certainly isn't good...though it has good uses in the some situations.

Generally, I tend to stroke the ball and not hit it. Modern grips are far better. Kids can really spank the ball with semi-western grips. The modern forehand beats the classic forehand hands down...obliterates it. The modern forehand is an unbelievably bit of equipment in the right hands.

I understand don_budges experiment with the Mac forehand, though. I understand exactly where he's coming from.

[tennis_chiro]

What kind of snap?

I hit 30 minutes worth of forehands at my club today. I use continental, always have. My wrist is relaxed and passive most of the time. If I want more than a modicum amount of topspin, however, I have to pump my wrist quite a lot. For a topspin lob I have to snap my wrist somewhat. The more topspin I need, the more pump is required. Snapping certainly isn't good...though it has good uses in the some situations.

Generally, I tend to stroke the ball and not hit it. Modern grips are far better. Kids can really spank the ball with semi-western grips. The modern forehand beats the classic forehand hands down...obliterates it. The modern forehand is an unbelievably bit of equipment in the right hands.

I understand don_budges experiment with the Mac forehand, though. I understand exactly where he's coming from.

I expect that when you snap your wrist for that topspin lob, you are actually moving it quickly by means of radial deviation, but you are not flexing your wrist. The racket face has to maintain its orientation to the ball in order to maintain contact as the ball rolls off the strings; otherwise you simply lose the ball.

At least that is my suposition.

don

[bottle]

I'll first posit what I just wrote and then try to answer 10splayer. The two subjects have nothing to do with each other, I think.

I like the insight that arm shouldn't roll under at low point in this kind of forehand.

I see desired pitch as being established by how far the player takes back the backswing-- by depth of backswing, one might say-- after grazing it close to side of the body which creates a slight down and up arc.

I see desired pitch as then being maintained by the extent to which the forward swing is a "flat swing" in the sense that golfers use that term.

In the following video of super-bratty super-ease, the racket stays on edge to the ball and then turns over a bit.

http://www.tennisplayer.net/members/strokearchive/modern_legends/johnmcenroe/mac_forehand/mac_forehand.html?MacFHWideCourtLevelRear2.mov

Was this roll because John M. was holding his handle very lightly and contact was on the lower half of the strings? Or because there always is a bit of roll right after delayed closing of the wrist-- if there is a propulsive closing of the wrist? Or because there often is roll at contact although there is no propulsive closing of the wrist?

Easy questions, hard answers at least for me.

Now, as to 10splayer: We go first to the non-italicized quote within a quote of me to examine it for snideness. Let it remain snide if it is snide, say I, and let's call it snide even if it isn't snide just for the fun of it since that's what people often like to do.

But I've got to save everything up to now because of technical problems with my mouse. It doesn't like to copy and paste any more. It was the 400-page book that did it. Anyone have a technical idea for bringing it back to life?

1) "First of all, I did not coin the term 'flip.'"
Right. John Yandell did. I thought it an improvement on "mondo" and still do.

2) "I wouldn't even bring it up...if not for your little comment...Which was a bit snide and inaccurate..." Okay: Here the snideness begins complete with its inaccuracy:

"You, Steve-- I assume it was you-- even took a poll on whether there was a flip in John McEnroe's forehand. And you won, 4-0 . One of the votes was mine, by the way."

Inaccuracy here: Steve won by 80-0 ? Lost by 80-0 ? The figures were fudged? John Escher never voted? I'm willing to entertain all these possibilities.

Sentences one and two of paragraph two of the snideness:

"But why was there the need for the poll? Because people seemed insecure and unsure..."

What people, Escher? All the people in the discussion, myself included. Some said flipless. Some said flip. What was a poor ordinary person like myself supposed to think? Had to make up my own mind, and I did.

Sentences three and four: "One of these people, though, might have been playing devil's advocate. You've smoked him out before."

Who, Escher, whom do you mean? Rip Stott, that smarmy Brit. Stotty himself, that's who!

3) Let's go now to 10splayer's first sentence of response to the whole post I wrote. "I can only assume this was for my benefit."

NOT!

4) Who suggested that arm doesn't roll under at low point in a John McEnroe continental forehand, from which I inferred that arm SHOULDN'T ROLL under at low point, since I think that John McEnroe is a very good tennis player?

It was 10splayer, I think, although I don't think ownership of any tennis idea should be assigned to anybody.

[bottle]

JM's Forehand Backswing

http://www.tennisplayer.net/members/strokearchive/modern_legends/johnmcenroe/mac_forehand/mac_forehand.html?MacFHCenterFront.mov

I just noticed how soon the hands separate. That means that JM, from his cheated over waiting position, is mostly using the famous pointing-at-the-side-fence maneuver we've heard a lot about to get his shoulders around.

Which could be a manner of speaking if the turning body is causing the arm to gradually point at the side fence.

Most players who are still turning their shoulders during the point at side fence have taken shoulders around at least partially first with the opposite hand.

Even McEnroe might start his unit turn with opposite hand part of the deal but almost immediately he drops the racket, it seems. More fun to try than talk about.

[bottle]

Don't Keep Opposite Hand on Racket

No, the bad boy defied conventional thinking once again.

In fact, if, from cheated over position, one eases racket head down simultaneously with unit turn, one obtains an upgrade to one's continental game by immediately tuning into gravity.

But one cannot hit good forehands of any stripe without a big turn of the shoulders.

There are a number of ways and variations and combinations for producing full turn, but the one that John McEnroe uses, rather pure, is to point with opposite hand at side fence.

Let go of racket immediately and you buy time and feel for yourself.

We spent New Year's Eve with an advertising person (and her husband, designer of the Chrysler hood ornament). She told tales of working for Cadillac with John McEnroe and Dennis Connors, the sailing person, and said that both were extremely smart.

Correct. And being more haptic is attitude more than genius. People who always point to genius are being dismissive, I think, implying that great qualities have no relevance to themselves, a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Attitude can lead to more brain in one's hand.

[bottle]

Another Down and Up

Nabrug would have a complete fit if he still were around in this forum because of my adopting as basics to try what he would think John McEnroe's inimitable mannerisms or "characteristics" but always with that word spelled wrong.

The latest comes from re-watching the video in # 65 .

I refer to the way that JM points across the front of his body at the side fence.

That hand too goes slightly down before it goes up-- much the easiest of alternatives.

[don_budge]

Speaking of Attitude...

No, the bad boy defied conventional thinking once again.

Attitude can lead to more brain in one's hand.

ATTITUDE

"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company...a church...a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past...we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you...we are in charge of our attitudes." - Charles Swindoll.

"There will always be people that will be there to tell you why something will not work. I don't really need them...I know the score. It is the rare bird that will persist...alone and independent of the rest. Seeking a brighter tomorrow. A new horizon with each and every dawning day.

People will always ask you...is the bottle half full or is the bottle half empty? As if by this simple question that they will get you to commit yourself to being an optimist or a pessimist. Me...I choose to be a realist. The bottle is of course half full and half empty. The way is forwards...with an eye in the rearview...keeping a lookout for the authorities." - don_budge

[stotty]

ATTITUDE

"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company...a church...a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past...we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you...we are in charge of our attitudes." - Charles Swindoll.

"There will always be people that will be there to tell you why something will not work. I don't really need them...I know the score. It is the rare bird that will persist...alone and independent of the rest. Seeking a brighter tomorrow. A new horizon with each and every dawning day.

People will always ask you...is the bottle half full or is the bottle half empty? As if by this simple question that they will get you to commit yourself to being an optimist or a pessimist. Me...I choose to be a realist. The bottle is of course half full and half empty. The way is forwards...with an eye in the rearview...keeping an eye out for the authorities." - don_budge

Great post, really great.

[don_budge]

Racquet butt pointed at the target...

http://www.tennisplayer.net/members/strokearchive/modern_legends/johnmcenroe/mac_forehand/mac_forehand.html?MacFHCenterFront.mov

The simplicity of the McEnroe forehand is amazing. I regret the poll. Without a clear definition of the word "flip" as in "flipping the forehand" it is meaningless. Is that a description of the same motion that is used for flipping pancakes? It might just be. That being said...I tried every way I could to delete the poll but could not find the way out.

I don't like the word flip when it is used in conjunction for explaining what happens in the mechanics of the forehand stroke...therefore I will never use it in describing the motion. It is a meaningless term to me. But that is not to say that others will find solace in "flipping" their forehands. I wish them well...seriously. I prefer the term roll...as in the hinge of a door.

In order to truly understand the difference in what is happening here with the McEnroe motion you have to wear it for a while...in every detail that we can observe in the videos and this requires careful study and it also requires the ability to discern. In this case the hand (and wrist) are definitely quicker than the eye. The value of the ability to stop action the video is not to be underestimated.

When McEnroe dips into his legs from his split step (another term that I disdain) his racquet simultaneously dips into the backswing. This is an important action because you will never achieve the same position of the wrist in the set up position if you try to backswing in a loop and set the racquet there. It is vital that the last bit of energy in the backswing is used to lay the wrist back ever so gently...into proper and perfect position. It must be a repeatable motion therefore it is only achievable from below and not from above. Trust me.

When you stop the video just as Johnny makes his first movement towards the ball you will see that this movement is clearly made with a pulling motion that is initiated by the hips ala Ben Hogan. This is evidenced by the butt of the racquet being pulled initially towards the ball before the racquet head makes any kind of move towards the ball. The wrist is still "laid" back and ready to roll. The pulling of this motion and the action of the racquet is much quicker and briefer than the "modern" forehand and in this case less just may be better...in some cases. Most will argue differently...I understand the argument too.

Björn Borg was dominating the tennis scene when John McEnroe was bursting into his own as well. Borg's game was built on topspin much as the modern game is today but certainly the difference in speed was appreciable. McEnroe's interpretation of the game allowed him to go in hard and low at the topspin groundstrokes of Borg which opened up a whole range of possibilities tactically speaking wise to dismantling the one dimensional aspect of the Swedes game. His ability to hit the ball on the rise was instrumental in his success.

Tilden would argue never give your opponent a ball that he prefers to hit. These days players prefer the ball to be his hard with topspin and in the strike zone...and they are really freaking good at this. Djokovic and Murray looked like they were playing a video game at times with the trading of laser like bullets. Tilden might be hard pressed to deliver balls outside of the strike zone of the modern tennis player but somehow I believe that he would persist until he found something that worked.

Federer at times seemed to understand this little conundrum in his semifinal against Murray when he resorted to mixing in underspin of various speeds but he did not persist...he is not really programmed to persist at this tactic either. When out gunned...out smart. The 11% percent difference in the size of his racquet is a variable that will stand in his way from now until the end of his career of his having any meaningful chance of upsetting the current top two or three if you include MIA Nadal. Everyone is hitting bullets with laser like precision and finding the center of the sweet spot doesn't get any easier if you are a half a step slower in your gait even if you are two steps in front with regard to class and savvy.

I wonder if this is a possibility that has not been adequately explored in the current paradigm. Could it be that Johnny could be right...when asked at the Champion's Final by the comely announcer, Boris Becker's femme fatale in his Ralph Lauren promo lessons, if his game could work against the modern game of today...he simply answered "yes".

[bottle]

No, don_budge, don't regret the poll, it was fun. And profound in the differing responses elicited. Isn't there a film-- RASHOMON-- that does something like that? Personally, I like the idea right now of "cueing" a McEnfore. There have been a few days-- not many-- where I did poorly in tennis but went into a bar at nighttime and cleaned out the joint with long shots hit soft.

Just think of alternating one's McEnfore with one's Federfore and then hitting the full Ben Hogan with a hell of a tail.

Chrissy Evert can talk all she wants about how more variation is more to go wrong (exactly the predictable thing we would expect her to say-- she was more suitable girlfriend material for Geraldo or Greg Norman than for me).

My in fact over-specialized 16-year-old girlfriend with game identical to Chrissie's was a control freak who ended up spending her entire adult life as tennis champion of a mental institution. But Ochi, a contributor to this forum just before you, suggested that I wanted to crack up like her so that I could join her there.

For insane love.

[don_budge]

But anyways....

It has been a lot of hard work this continental road and if it doesn't make me a better tennis player, which really isn't the point, it will definitely make me a better tennis teacher.

But as far as progress goes...I am really happy with the forehand and the backhand is slowly progressing. Today I had the opportunity to test everything against a 35 year old big hitting Swede named Mats. I played him even without coming over the backhand yet. Almost...but not quite. A bit flatter.

We hit for 30 minutes before we played and it was really good practice to work against his speed. The underhanded backswing is a big advantage because it takes less time to prepare. The swing is more compact through the hitting zone so less can go wrong. Somehow the technique is more conducive to getting my weight on my front foot. I really feel that I can step into the ball and if I initiate things with a pull of the butt of the racquet to the ball everything seems to take care of itself. With the wrist in laid back position it rolls through the ball with a resounding "whack".

I practiced the backswing for 15 minutes before my partner arrived...racquet head descending as I landed into my hop step, or skip step...or split step. It is much less complicated than the "Federfore" backswing and more to the point. Who gives a flip if it flips or not?

[don_budge]

Repost...The John McEnroe forehand as viewed from the CENTER...

Repost for easy reference...

FH CenterFront- http://www.tennisplayer.net/members/...enterFront.mov

back foot perpendicular to target...right hand stretched out in front of the body in order to turn the right shoulder at the ball...racquet back in perfect alignment with the shoulders. even though hitting from an open stance the alignment of the upper body and racquet is as if the stance were closed. hips initiate the swing followed closely by the shoulders in order to swing the arm and finally the racquet through the ball. the path of the racquet face is directly through the path of the ball. wrist action...as a completion of the back swing the wrist is “laid back” into position and at impact it delivers the “bruce lee” one inch punch effect. effectively, a very compact stretch shortening cycle (i hate that term).

FH Center Side1- http://www.tennisplayer.net/members/...enterSide1.mov

on a ball hit directly at mcenroe...he back steps himself into position with no less than 5 small steps into perfect alignment to hit a closed stance forehand...shoulders, racquet and feet in 3 neat lines ready to go forwards...swing initiated with the lower body, feet, legs and then the hips...working its way up to the shoulders as indicated by both hands moving in the same direction at the same speed...at the same time. all of the moving parts kept neatly in the same plane. left shoulder driving into the ball with minimal stretch shortening in the wrist action. but even though this is minimal movement and barely detectable at full speed...it is delivering the payload in a perhaps more efficient use of motion. this accounts for his accuracy, power and deception.

FH Center Side 2- http://www.tennisplayer.net/members/...enterSide2.mov

on a ball hit slightly to his left...he again positions himself with 5 small steps...notice the backswing and how small a distance his left hand actually has to travel to get in position to swing...the hand is definitely leading the racquet head, butt first to the ball...contact perhaps even or even slightly behind leading hip. impressive use of body once again to encourage a free swinging arm throughout the entire swing as indicated by the full follow through with the hand finishing shoulder high. the arc of his swing tends to be from the waist at the initiation of the forwards movement and depending upon the height of the ball the head drops slightly below the ball...the hand generally finishes in the shoulder height area.

FH Center CourtLevel Front 1- http://www.tennisplayer.net/members/...evelFront1.mov

mcenroe is playing this ball with a slightly open stance...the reason is that he is going to play the shot with a little additional topspin. he sets himself in his standard 3 neat line stance (even though the foot is not perfectly in line his body, his stance has all the characteristics that it is)...to generate the extra spin he drops the racquet a bit more below the ball and comes over and across it a bit quicker with the assistance of his semi open stance following through more pronouncedly to the right with the racquet head doing a bit of the “wiper” motion that is being hyped as something new in modern tennis.

FH Center CourtLevel Front 2- http://www.tennisplayer.net/members/...evelFront2.mov

this appears to be a bit of a defensive shot. he does not appear to have had the time to get his feet in perfect alignment and stabilize himself...so he does the smart thing and plays the ball safely in the court with a neutralizing ball. even so his alignment with his racquet and shoulders is perfect and the follow through at shoulder height indicate a safe percentage play from a less than balanced position.

FH Center CourtLevel Rear1- http://www.tennisplayer.net/members/...LevelRear1.mov

on a ball that bounces inside of the service line mcenroe is set to pounce and angle this ball sharply cross court with top spin. his abbreviated and open stance give him the proper angle from which to launch himself into this shot driving with his legs forwards so that once his shot is finished he is scampering to the net to more than likely finish things with a nice tidy volley. notice the perfect alignment with his racquet and shoulders. the abbreviated backswing allows him the split second to decide...and deceive. the follow through is quickly over the ball and the momentum will carry him forwards to the net.

FH Center CourtLevel Rear2- http://www.tennisplayer.net/members/...LevelRear2.mov

less than perfect balance but the alignment is again as good as it can possibly be. racquet and shoulders in alignment with the stance slightly open. it appears he will play this ball reasonably safe with extra topspin as indicated by the path of his racquet. i think it is interesting to note that it appears that mcenroe could very well catch his follow through up at shoulder high with his free hand but he elects to let it drop downwards into his free hand waiting below. this makes sense as this is where he will initiate his backswing without the tracking movement of showing the face of the racquet to the ball that is a part of federer’s approach to swinging on the forehand side.

FH Center CourtLevel Rear3- http://www.tennisplayer.net/members/...LevelRear3.mov

i love this shot. mcenroe is anticipating a short ball as he is standing well inside the baseline but instead the ball has him retreating a bit backwards. he gets himself self set up as solid as a brick wall on his back foot and elects to drive the ball down the line for an apparent winner. placement and lack of spin are a winning combination in this instance.

FH Center CourtLevel Rear4- http://www.tennisplayer.net/members/...LevelRear4.mov

one of the most distinguishing features of the mcenroe forehand is his ability to disarm his opponents with his control and disguise. here he is simply playing one of his many neutralizing balls from an open stance before he resumes his attack. he appears to have hit something in an off speed manner with perhaps a little extra spin and extra net clearance...after he strikes this ball you can see that he is confident that from where he has hit this shot his opponent will not be able to hurt him and he rather calmly prepares for the next ball.

[don_budge]

Repost...The John McEnroe forehand as viewed going WIDE...

Repost for easy reference...

FH Wide Front- http://www.tennisplayer.net/members/...HWideFront.mov

while moving to his left the racquet swings back into position with just enough momentum to lay the wrist back into position. the shoulders and leading hand are in exactly the same position every time whether he is moving or stationary. the shoulders rotate back to the ball and the arm and racquet follow. there is no excessive wrist activity...in fact there is minimal. there is a always a generous amount of energy engaged with the lower body.

FH Wide Side1- http://www.tennisplayer.net/members/...HWideSide1.mov

this looks like a sharply angled forehand pass on an approaching net rusher as evidenced by a sharper and more abrupt pass on the ball upwards in motion. a nice angle of the camera shows that mcenroe is pulling the butt cap at the ball in the early stage of his forward swing. there is plenty of energy loaded into the wrist action in the mcenroe forehand. the term “weaker grip” is a bit misleading. his eyes on the ball remind me of someone...federeresque.

FH Wide Side2- http://www.tennisplayer.net/members/...HWideSide2.mov

good view from the backside of the backswing on the run. notice how the last bit of backswing swings the wrist into the slightly laid back position. much less lay back than the stronger grips being played in the “modern game”. even while moving the shoulders and body are meticulously positioned to rotate into the swing. mcenroe elects to hit this one from an open stance probably to add to his deceptiveness on this particular shot.

FH Wide CourtLevel Front- http://www.tennisplayer.net/members/...LevelFront.mov

mcenroe moves well into the court to take this ball early and possibly on the rise to hit it sharply into the backhand side of his opponent. this ball is going to be on top of the opponent in a hurry due to the flatness of the stroke. the placement tends to be uncanny as well. the backswing and later contact also contributes to his ability to disguise his intentions until the last split second. this ball could easily have been rocketing up the sideline down the line.

FH Wide CourtLevel Rear1- http://www.tennisplayer.net/members/...LevelRear1.mov

moving to his left mcenroe takes this ball that bounces on the service line from the cross court and sends it down the line with a little higher trajectory. you can see a good view of the position of the wrist and the gentle flex in the backswing and the pulling of the butt of the racquet towards the ball to initiate the forward motion of the racquet. using a bit of a jumping motion to propel the ball back mcenroe never allows the arm and racquet to get ahead of the shoulders.

FH Wide CourtLevel Rear2- http://www.tennisplayer.net/members/...LevelRear2.mov

an almost identical location as the preceding shot mcenroe using an almost identical motion except that he appears to be a bit more stable in his stance hits the ball sharply up the line on a lower trajectory for what appears to be a clean winner.

[don_budge]

Repost...The John McEnroe forehand as viewed while RUNNING...

Repost for easy reference...

FH Running Rear1- http://www.tennisplayer.net/members/...nningRear1.mov

running to his left mcenroe arrives at the ball having perfectly measured his steps striking the ball just before his front foot meets the ground. the preparation of the racquet while hurrying to get into position is done a great deal by merely turning the shoulders again swing the arm backwards into position to deliver the standard payload of the continental grip loaded wrist. the pulling of the butt cap appears to be abbreviated but i think that the racquet face is more exposed to the ball and stays that way longer before and after impact thereby insuring more contact with the sweet spot of the strings. by driving off of his back leg with his last step towards the ball he has also engaged the lower body to do its part of the work. more golf on the run.

FH Running Rear2- http://www.tennisplayer.net/members/...nningRear2.mov

an interesting angle of the mcenroe forehand hit on the move. here at the “bottom” of his backswing the racquet head is partially below his knees...at this point of the backswing his wrist is not in the position that it will need to be in to go forwards so the racquet will be “lagging” behind his hand. this shot is hit in a rather open stance after moving somewhat backwards but the weight yet appears to be in a stable position without giving any ground to the ball at impact. this shot will most likely be played in a neutral mode.

FH Running CourtLevel Front1- http://www.tennisplayer.net/members/...evelFront1.mov

a great shot of the mcenroe “ready position” at the start of this clip...the ready position sets up the backswing and this ready position is custom suited for the mcenroe backswing with the position of his racquet and hand. by using the same grip for forehand and backhand he is equally ready to go either way at all times. this in itself is an advantage in terms of the split second timing tennis requires. here he is a bit out of position from an aggressive shot by his opponent so he has returned to a position where he anticipates that he will have another play to seek the advantage and at the same time is returning into the court for better position. like federer...mcenroe seems to have the uncanny ability to gather himself as he swings without appearing to be off balance.

FH Running CourtLevel Front2- http://www.tennisplayer.net/members/...evelFront2.mov

in an era where topspin is deemed king the mcenroe technique shows much more flexibility in the repertoire of shots that he has command over. here on the run he demonstrate the ability to flatten out the forehand. the racquet starts forward barely below the ball and rises up barely over the level of his shot with his follow through. notice how stable the face of the racquet is and how long the face stays on the path of the ball. mcenroe is always smoothly rotating his shoulder through his shots. he never seems to consciously be using his wrist to manipulate his shots. it merely behaves as it should...as a passive hinge.

FH Running CourtLevel Rear- http://www.tennisplayer.net/members/...tLevelRear.mov

here is a shot that mcenroe appears to be steering into an area of the court to neutralize a fairly aggressive play from his opponent. he is a master of neutralizing points and then immediately turning the tables to get on top of the situation. it appears that his opponent has hit aggressively reverse cross court to the forehand and mcenroe may have been anticipating a backhand. he has to make a long trek wide to the far side of the court to play something low and cross court to once again turn the tables of control back to him.