Paradorn!

[lukman41985]

This guy definitely has a more classical grip structure. His straight arm hitting position is reminicent of Federer and Flip (Mark P.).

[JoeTennis]

Paradorn!

Paradorn's my boy! Love that cat's game. He's quick. Got the classic strokes. Not afraid of attacking. Not afraid of losing.

Hitting arm positions do look pretty classic. Maybe a step above Flip on the baseline. I'm surprised to hear he studied Chang. Prolly just inspired by Chang as both seem to be great guys. His game looks more like Flipper's or even Roddick's, except for the cool one-hander. Maybe a poor man's Federer?

But then again, (it is the week of Key Biscayne '05), even Roger Federer has been a poor man's Federer this week.

[makhan67]

In the Davis Cup Tie Thailand vs. Pakistan, March 4-6, Aisam ul Haq Qureshi of Pakistan beat Paradorn Srichaphan in four close sets on grass. Paradorn is the best Asian player who has wins over the top players including Andre Agassi on the center court of Wimbledon few years ago. No doubt Paradorn is a red hot Thai who is a great player to watch but I think Aisam's win over Paradorn was sweeter given the fact I have worked off and on with Aisam since his junior days. Aisam is now coached on the ATP circuit by an American, Robert Davis. Read a full story, "Untold story of Aisam ul Haq Qureshi of Pakistan" at general pro player discussion (page 3) at TW forum.

[ruymendes]

Paradorn backswing

I think that Paradorn's forehand uses a too short backswing, resulting in a loss of depth. I know that John says that the backswing isn't the most important component of the stroke, but the pros with a bigger preparation seens to have more fluidity. Contrary to the amateurs, the pros have the correct unit turn, trunk and forearm rotation. Among these guys the size of the backswing and the use of a loop are important factors to estabilish who is a top ten. Am I correct?
P.S. - John, all the coaches of the professional players do discuss these topics? And do you think that some of these players could improve theirs game with the adoption of some concepts brought by Tennisplayer?

[johnyandell]

If you guys go to the Backswing article in Advanced Tennis you see that there are a half dozen variables that go into the backswing. I think it's worth reading. I can't say that there aren't other opinions out there--certainly there are--but I spent a lot of time with a few hundred high speed forehands developing mine. I'll change it when I see something new or different that I haven't considered. And certainly everyone of you is entitled to yours! But that doesn't mean we are going to agree! Paradorn may be on the compact side, but probably no more compact than Federer. That should tell you something.

Depth is going to be a function of the foreswing, not the backswing. I'm not saying that someday we may be able to say more about the relatively merits of the motions. But according to the bigger is better theory, Lleyton Hewitt would have the biggest forehand in tennis--to go with that gigantic loop. That example alone shows us, it's not that simple. But people are mesmerized by the backswing because it is the one thing that does look most different. And every player can create their own so long as it fulfills the purpose in the correct time frame.

[lukman41985]

Paradorn got smoked by Gasquet 6-0, 6-2. Go Gasquet! What a backhand!

[ajchabria]

the BIG forehands

Good points gang. Can I get an 'Amen' for Joe Tennis and Monsieur M.A.Khan?

So there is Hewitt with the HUGE backswing, huge swing in general...and a solid FH.
Then you've got big-time stuff coming from Federer and Paradorn with a relatively compact stroke. Ditto for Agassi.
What of Gonzalez and the handle of that ironically named 'Pure Control' over his head as the ball is bouncing toward him?
And then there's Haas and Moya with something in between...and I'd call their FH's among the biggest/best in the world. Throw Ferrero, Verdasco and Nadal in there too, if you'd like.

Of all people, the least technical tennis writer (but one of the biggest), Peter Bodo had a poignant line. He once wrote that the forehand prep is a signature. Like, an element of style and not much more. Hmmm.

Me, I'd rather paraphrase the infamous Australian stand-up philosopher from Adelaide....'have a look at the similarities'.

So, Lukman, John Yandell et al -- Dre plays Gasquet tomorrow. Wow, what do you guys think? Some dangerous BH to BH rallies or what? Who will return better and handle the clay better? Who will have the better transition game?

Wish I were at the Foro Italico for that one.

[lukman41985]

You know, Gasquet is one of the hottest players in the world right now. One-handers with an all-court game tend to break out once they get a little confidence. You think beating Federer is a confidence booster? Well, now that he's confident, Gasquet can pull his game together--I actually hate this Carilloism--I think the more apt cliche is that now he can pull the trigger and go for shots! And boy does he go for his shots. During the 2nd set of that match against Fed, Richard was ripping returns off Rog's second serve nearly standing at the service line! Who does this guy think he is?

But back to my point on all-court one-handers and confidence: doesn't the story sound similar to say, that of Sampras or Federer? This guy is young, definitely has to prove himself some more, but didn't we say it before about those guys (Gods) too?

And about the matchup: I think Gasquet will win. It's a wonderful showdown because yes, for one thing, the backhand-to-backhand rallies will be sensational. On top of that, you have Gasquet who is HALF as old as Andre. Wow. That's about as crazy as baby Jaden stepping in for pop tommorrow.

I'm going with Gasquet because confidence breeds succcess. Gasquet is the more natural clay-courter and he's hot. Clay is a friend to streaky players. Clay also happens to be Andre's least favorite surface and his switch to a new racquet is, for me, a key (i.e. not shallow or insignificant) sign that Andre's searching. But who knows, maybe he'll find what he's looking for in time for tommorrow?

[ajchabria]

Gasquet vs Agassi

All-courter avec one-handed BH vs the living Legend. What time's it on?
And Lukman, was that a U2 reference at the end of your post?
Enjoy the match.

[lukman41985]

Not intentionally. I love the stuff I've heard from U2 but actually don't know them that well. My musical IQ is quite low, but I want to improve it. I just recently heard the song, "Sunday Bloody Sunday". Amazing song. I also just found out that the song in the Federer: Swiss Timing music video is Bob Dylan, "My Back Pages" (thanks John). Being born in 1985, I never thought I'd be able to enjoy Dylan.

We should have a section of the forum where we just talk music. Perhaps that is what the music video section will evolve into.

[lukman41985]

Someone's missing from the forehand discussion...

James Blake! Very compact stroke. Huge forehand. Glad to see this guy recovering from a terrible year last year.