Raducanu's Serve

[seano]

I think Stotty is being too kind to a lot of coaches--or maybe the level of knowledge is better in GB than here. In this country most coaches have a vague concept of "pronation" but don't really understand the way the arm, hand and racket move thru the upward/outward swing.

John -

Just to prove your point.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3jM4Xgi9b4

[jimlosaltos]

I think more coaches these days seem to know about ISR and what it is. After all it's very easy to identify and takes very little understanding. But as I have said before, it's one thing 'knowing' and quite another for a coach to install these things that aren't naturally there. I have full ISR but was never taught it. Back in the 70's it was something that was identified as a key component. For a lot of performance players, especially men, ISR will happen by default, assuming they have the correct grip and contact point.

There is little doubt in my mind that tour players who do not have full ISR or only partial ISR have had it pointed out to them, the problem is they haven't been able to rectify it. Now why is that? Is it because their incorrect ISR is so engrained even players with high level ability cannot overcome it? We all know the power of muscle memory. Or is it because coaches are using the wrong correction methods in their coaching? It would be interesting to know.

stotty, just remembered an old quote from Roger Federer. As best I can recall it was roughly "Your early coach is crucial for your serve because the service is very hard to change later."

[jimlosaltos]

Apropos Emma's serve issues, I dug out this 2019 NYT article focusing on Coco Gauff's serve based on interviewing Mark Kovacs.

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/08/31/sports/tennis/coco-gauff-serve.html

I'd note that some TV analysts have said Coco's service motion is a "problem" In losing to Halep in Madrid, Coco hit 6 double faults and won only 61% of her first serves.

Now, that was on clay against a truly great returner, but if your big serve is one of your best weapons -- that's a problem.

Among criticisms, the same rear-foot in pinpoint issue as Rublev, Zverev, Emma; sky high toss because she needs the time to get into her trophy position late, weight transfer, and I'll leave the shoulder rotation for the many people here that know it better than I.

On one hand, Coco is still only, what is it 18 yo? On the third hand, as stotty pointed out, changing bad habits on serve is tough.

P.S. Autocorrect keeps changing your online alias to 'snotty'. If I fail to recorrect that, don't blame me, it's not a commentary ! <g>.

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[glacierguy]

Yesterday Raducanu lost to Sasnovich in 3 at the French. In the second set Sasnovich was hitting return winners at will off Raducanu's 1st serve. It was tough to watch.

[jimlosaltos]

Yesterday Raducanu lost to Sasnovich in 3 at the French. In the second set Sasnovich was hitting return winners at will off Raducanu's 1st serve. It was tough to watch.

Craig O'Shannessy also strongly criticized her forehand, noting she almost avoids hitting forehands to hit backhands. Well, she's 18 yo so let's hope she can progress.