Knowing Racket face angles

[doctorhl]

Hey Don_Budge: My guess on this volley is that Budge knew racket face angles so well that he figured since he was stretched out on the opponent’s passing shot, his only chance was to switch from continental to a forehand grip to hit a heavily-angled crosscourt drop volley( unless he got stuck in a forehand grip). What say you( or anyone)? Pros of today don’t know or need to know racket angles like they used to I suppose because they don’t play doubles or come to the net in singles much any more.

https://fineartamerica.com/featured/don-budge-usa-time-life-pictures.html

[don_budge]

Hey Don_Budge: My guess on this volley is that Budge knew racket face angles so well that he figured since he was stretched out on the opponent’s passing shot, his only chance was to switch from continental to a forehand grip to hit a heavily-angled crosscourt drop volley( unless he got stuck in a forehand grip). What say you( or anyone)? Pros of today don’t know or need to know racket angles like they used to I suppose because they don’t play doubles or come to the net in singles much any more.


https://fineartamerica.com/featured/...-pictures.html

My first question is...why does he have two balls in his left hand? I think that you have pretty much narrowed down the possibilities. An extremely acute angled backhand volley with excessive under/side spin. Once upon a time...I was playing doubles with three of my older students. At the net in the deuce court with my partner serving I poached and was stretched something like this and pulled off the shot of a lifetime. I spun the ball with so much side spin and such an acute angle the ball spun back over the net about three meters to my left (I'm left handed).

Great photo. A shot of this nature is improvised with no thoughts of "how to"...you just do it. Your point about the players of today not in possession of the "doubles instinct" is another strike against the modern era. Beauty! Ole!

[arturohernandez]

My first question is...why does he have two balls in his left hand? I think that you have pretty much narrowed down the possibilities. An extremely acute angled backhand volley with excessive under/side spin. Once upon a time...I was playing doubles with three of my older students. At the net in the deuce court with my partner serving I poached and was stretched something like this and pulled off the shot of a lifetime. I spun the ball with so much side spin and such an acute angle the ball spun back over the net about three meters to my left (I'm left handed).

Great photo. A shot of this nature is improvised with no thoughts of "how to"...you just do it. Your point about the players of today not in possession of the "doubles instinct" is another strike against the modern era. Beauty! Ole!

It seems to be that today's game is built on hitting the same shot over and over again. Few have learned to hit different shots especially ones involving last minute adjustments. The funny thing is that the very top players do take on doubles at times to improve their games.

Shapo has been taking up doubles to get him out of his robopalov mode.