Your favourite pro shot

[christos_liaskos]

Which shot do you most enjoy seeing and by which player? It can be a past or present shot/player.

To make this more clear i'll give my vote;

My favourite shot to see is when Nadal hits a forehand winner down the line. The way he stands in that open stance, whips up the ball and gives so much height over the net and bends it into the corner just amazes me. It doesn't have to be necessarily when someone is at the net. The more amazing ones for me are when he is in a cross court rally with someone and he suddenly throws in the change of direction up the line whilst also standing in a position which would suggest he is just going back cross court. This particular shot has become synonymous with Federer-Nadal clay court battles.

What's your vote?....

[Cesc Fabregas]

The Sampras serve and forehand, there a thing of beauty. :)

[jelle v]

Federer's forehand cross..

Let me explain, because i don't mean a regular forehand from the deuce side of the court. I mean his forehand from the advantage side of the court. A lot of players just hit that forehand down the line, but Federer still manages to create a sort of cross court angle by letting the ball bounce at the service line.

[christos_liaskos]

Federer's forehand cross..

Let me explain, because i don't mean a regular forehand from the deuce side of the court. I mean his forehand from the advantage side of the court. A lot of players just hit that forehand down the line, but Federer still manages to create a sort of cross court angle by letting the ball bounce at the service line.

Ah yes, that's called an inside out forehand....good choice

[TheMagicianOfPrecision]

Federer`s serve down the T, Federers forehand dtl/cross, Feds slice.

Masterclass, fire all tenniscoaches around the world, and instead show the kids videos off Fed playing. Better than all instructors combined.

[MarrratSafin]

Safin's backhand DTL. Bear in mind not even any pros get it close to that. It's just one of those very special things.

[jelle v]

Ah yes, that's called an inside out forehand....good choice

I didn't mean the inside out forehand, sorry I must have explained poorly. I mean his forehand down the line on the ad court, but Federer manages it to create an angle away from the opponent. Hmm.. hard to explain.. :(

[Jason Vorhees]

It's a tossup.............

Safin's BH DTL or Roddick's flat forehand.

Simply because safin's backhand in it's heyday was insane, and we rarely get to see roddick hit a flat forehand winner.

[christos_liaskos]

Federer`s serve down the T, Federers forehand dtl/cross, Feds slice.

Masterclass, fire all tenniscoaches around the world, and instead show the kids videos off Fed playing. Better than all instructors combined.

Dont want to start a huge debate lol but i'm a coach myself and my favourite player is also Federer. But in terms of teaching kids to play like him, I pick wouldnt use Federer as someone to base your teachings on. Out of the world no1 and no2 I would pick Nadal as someone to copy.

The game 'Federer' cant be taught, it's pure genius and talent, you cant coach someone to play like that and have huge success. Rafa's game however is based on much more high percentage tennis. The use of topspin to give height over then net and bring the ball back into court is what today's game is about.

Another way for me to explain this would be what a commentator recently said (i think during the USopen sometime?). He said that the worse thing you could do for a young talented player would be to take him to watch Federer practice or warm up before a tournament. He is so effortless and makes it look so easy that young player would go away thinking that with much less effort than they previously thought they will end up like Federer. Take that same kid on the other hand to watch Nadal practice and which do you think will give the better results?

I'm not saying that Federer's game isn't based on high percentage tennis, he's possibly the greatest player ever for god's sake! But there is also so much natural talent in there that to try and copy it would be pointless

[mTm28]

The Federer backhand flicks.

[Jason Vorhees]

Dont want to start a huge debate lol but i'm a coach myself and my favourite player is also Federer. But in terms of teaching kids to play like him, I pick wouldnt use Federer as someone to base your teachings on. Out of the world no1 and no2 I would pick Nadal as someone to copy.

The game 'Federer' cant be taught, it's pure genius and talent, you cant coach someone to play like that and have huge success. Rafa's game however is based on much more high percentage tennis. The use of topspin to give height over then net and bring the ball back into court is what today's game is about.

I would also pick nadal because he got great by working hard, not neccessarily being a genius at birth.

[kngoPITT]

I didn't mean the inside out forehand, sorry I must have explained poorly. I mean his forehand down the line on the ad court, but Federer manages it to create an angle away from the opponent. Hmm.. hard to explain.. :(

Inside in forehand?
http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/9195/42014098hardcourt3203.gif

[Cesc Fabregas]

The Sampras slam dunk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkQ58TnSdug

Sampras forehand
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_DFjZvwShU

Sampras serve
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6E3vPigzxI&feature=related

All things of beauty.

[jelle v]

Inside in forehand?
http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/9195/42014098hardcourt3203.gif

Yes :) but Federer still manages to get an angle.. still hitting the ball away from the player if you get what i mean... :)

[mikro112]

http://i972.photobucket.com/albums/ae204/kate-and-phil/video-new.gif

[TheMagicianOfPrecision]

Dont want to start a huge debate lol but i'm a coach myself and my favourite player is also Federer. But in terms of teaching kids to play like him, I pick wouldnt use Federer as someone to base your teachings on. Out of the world no1 and no2 I would pick Nadal as someone to copy.

The game 'Federer' cant be taught, it's pure genius and talent, you cant coach someone to play like that and have huge success. Rafa's game however is based on much more high percentage tennis. The use of topspin to give height over then net and bring the ball back into court is what today's game is about.

Another way for me to explain this would be what a commentator recently said (i think during the USopen sometime?). He said that the worse thing you could do for a young talented player would be to take him to watch Federer practice or warm up before a tournament. He is so effortless and makes it look so easy that young player would go away thinking that with much less effort than they previously thought they will end up like Federer. Take that same kid on the other hand to watch Nadal practice and which do you think will give the better results?

I'm not saying that Federer's game isn't based on high percentage tennis, he's possibly the greatest player ever for god's sake! But there is also so much natural talent in there that to try and copy it would be pointless

Great response Christos, i agree.
Im also a teaching-coach and what I said was based on how much i like Federer and admire him, i wasnt 100% serious about though!:)
I agree that Nadals style of play would be a lot easier too teach than Feds for numbers of reasons, absolutely.

[TheMagicianOfPrecision]

The Sampras slam dunk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkQ58TnSdug

Sampras forehand
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_DFjZvwShU

Sampras serve
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6E3vPigzxI&feature=related

All things of beauty.
I agree, but you have to realize and respect Federer a lot more imo...

[Jason Vorhees]

Sampras' forehand was uglier than my Grandmum's....................

[christos_liaskos]

Great response Christos, i agree.
Im also a teaching-coach and what I said was based on how much i like Federer and admire him, i wasnt 100% serious about though!:)
I agree that Nadals style of play would be a lot easier too teach than Feds for numbers of reasons, absolutely.

Glad we both agree, the saying must be true, great minds DO think alike :D

[lawrence]

have to agree with some other posters and say this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0B1lORsq2Dw

there's not many options you can take when he hits that shot
edit:
oh and these drop shots: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvVxfVjlAd0

[Tyrus]

Yes! The Sampras Slam Dunk is my all time favorite.

Federer's Inside out is a thing of inspiration.

[dincuss]

Gulbis dropshot/lop.
Thing of beauty.

Sampras Dunk

Federer Smash Return?

Safin backhand DTL

Nadal lefty spin serve ace.

[JoelDali]

Even though I'm not a huge fan of Rafa, some of the deep backhand cc passes he did against Fed in W 2008 were astonishing.

[Serendipitous]

Santiago Ventura's backhand....:)

[skyzoo]

Monfils Forehand RIP! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjFfuXMG0Rg

120 MPH

[OliverSimon]

Acasuso forehand

[lawrence]

Monfils Forehand RIP! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjFfuXMG0Rg

120 MPH

such a waste of athleticism :(
if only monfils had a better head on him, i could see him breaking through to the top

[kevsaenz]

Nalbandian cross court backhand

[Jason Vorhees]

Monfils Forehand RIP! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjFfuXMG0Rg

120 MPH


Monfils' forehand isn't that special, sure, he can hit one big forehand which was placed perfectly for him to smack but when really any other player with power can do that. Monfils' forehand doesn't rank in the top 10.

[shaysrebelII]

it's gotta be the dunk, but I don't care who hits it.

sure sampras popularized it, and he's my favorite to watch when it comes to hitting that shot, but whenever someone dunks it, oh man...

[skyzoo]

Monfils' forehand isn't that special, sure, he can hit one big forehand which was placed perfectly for him to smack but when really any other player with power can do that. Monfils' forehand doesn't rank in the top 10.
Hey thanks man. Glad you cleared that up for me. God I was ignorant. Sorry, Sorry

[Jason Vorhees]

Hey thanks man. Glad you cleared that up for me. God I was ignorant. Sorry, Sorry

Jason doesn't forgive!

[RoddickAce]

I can't pinpoint it to just one shot, but here are a few choices:

Fed's inside-in forehand: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVxIgFhch5w&feature=related

Nadal's banana shots (go to 0:24): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-kH9P4cGuo&feature=PlayList&p=024B43FEA4E2FE8C&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=61

Roddick's Twist Overhead (go to 0:20) xD: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMPW7PioQGE

And Gasquet or Agassi's Backhand

[skyzoo]

Jason doesn't forgive!
haha, my second choice would be Federer mental game

[adista4]

andre agassi's cross court forehand

[norbac]

Wawrinka's backhand
Gasquet's backhand
Murray's backhand
Safin's backhand
Murray's forehand cross court passing shot

[mzzmuaa]

nadal banana

[JeMar]

Sampras' overhead dunk and Federer's inside out forehand.

[Jason Vorhees]

haha, my second choice would be Federer mental game

lol, Haas is worse than Federer, look up his results and the amount of times he chokes on match points. I assure you Haas chokes from time to time.

but then again federer chokes and loses his mind and beats himself against 1 player - which makes him look like a tool.

[skyzoo]

lol, Haas is worse than Federer, look up his results and the amount of times he chokes on match points. I assure you Haas chokes from time to time.

but then again federer chokes and loses his mind and beats himself against 1 player - which makes him look like a tool.
I'll never be right in your eye's will I? hahah alright maybe it might be Kanye West's forehand.

[Jason Vorhees]

I'll never be right in your eye's will I? hahah alright maybe it might be Kanye West's forehand.

Nope, 50 cent's forehand is the worst shot in tennis.

[maddogz32]

the federer lob return of overhead

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAg_UuW1duo

[Jason Vorhees]

the federer lob return of overhead

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAg_UuW1duo

Federer can shank forehands and it will look good to fedfans.

Why have you got an avatar of the most hated women in the world?

[stapler]

Djokovic's commanding forehands from the center of the baseline where he can hit to either side of the court from the same stance.

[ahile02]

Fed's inside-in forehand.

[matchmaker]

It used to be Rios' dropvolleys

[kOaMaster]

It used to be Rios' dropvolleys

aaah, I like those A LOT!!! good choice!

personally it's a great joy to watch fed's I/O forehand, the thing I like the most in his game. maybe together with his really tough slice, also at the net (improved in the last 5 years)


and then there was this santoro dropshot -> lob thing...ah how great is that?

[Jason Vorhees]

I like gonzo's forehand

[ubermeyer]

ivo karlovic when he fires four 1st serve aces in a row in a game against a great player... fun to watch

[Leelord337]

richard gasquet acute angle cross court backhand, 10/10

[darthpwner]

Sampras serve.

[SuperDuy]

Roddicks Serve!

[wilkinru]

The Federer backhand flicks.

This. I used to think he was just lucky! :shock:

[downdaline]

Sampras serve and forehand volley.

Edberg backhand volley.

Federer's approach downdaline FH and topspin 1HBH.

Nadal's inside out FH and all his passing shots in general.

[Leelord337]

The Federer backhand flicks.

same here. here are some cool vids of him doing those shots

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uS-KQjVcqQo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWoKA21Bm4k

[bdon]

definitely when monfils is 10 ft behind the baseline and slides and hits a miraculous winner. especially on hardcourts.

[MasturB]

Jumping Federer Forehand... Inside-In and Inside-Out.

Look up highlights of Federer vs Nadal, Masters Cup 2007 and 2006.

[lawrence]

Federer can shank forehands and it will look good to fedfans.

Why have you got an avatar of the most hated women in the world?

Does youtube not load on your computer or are you just stupid?
How can you even compare that shot to a shanked forehand?

[dannykl]

Steffi Graf's forehand is not only a lethal weapon but also a beaty to watch.

She often jumps and leaves both feet off ground when she hits a forehand.

Her slice backhand is very elegant but deadly as well.

[ericsson]

Federer's inside out forehand
Pete's slam dunk
Pete's serve
Pete's running forehand
Becker's backhand
Rios his wicked dropshot

[dropshot winner]

Safin's backhand-hammer down the line
Federer's forehand
Those sharply angled crosscourt forehands by Nalbandian that clear the net by 1/10 of an inch and still somehow land near the service line.

[jwbarrientos]

Pete Sampras' serve
Roger's runing forehand (when it works)
Gasquet's stationary backhand/Roger running pararell backhand
Nadal's running forehand (with topspin, please)
Agassi/Nalbandian return (short swing delicious)
Slum ... Pete, who else.
Old school boys' slice Bjorg, Vilas, etc.

[maddogz32]

Why have you got an avatar of the most hated women in the world?

i dont know what you are talking about she is the most talented singer in the world and she is the best

[The_Steak]

i dont know what you are talking about she is the most talented singer in the world and she is the best

If you are 5 years old....

[maddogz32]

If you are 5 years old....

i am way older than five and i still think she is the best

[Mikey Fresh]

If you are 5 years old....

hey dont make fun of her!

[T1000]

Federer's forehand
Dimitrovs/Wawrinkas backhand
mac's volleys
sampras dunk
hewitt lob/passing shots

[ubermeyer]

Federer can shank forehands and it will look good to fedfans.

ban this troll!

Why have you got an avatar of the most hated women in the world?

although i agree with this part of your post

[cigrmaster]

Lavers running top spin backhand cross court

Johnny Mac's short hop drop shot

Borg's top spin backhand lob

Sampras running forehand winners down the line or cross court.

Sampras serve and volley

[1970CRBase]

Andres Gomez - backhand slice.