Senior Tennis: Slice or Topspin? What's better?

[hi10spro]

I am 45 playing in the age group ITFs, and its just so amazing to me how many people are slicing... AND because they slice, it's so hard to hit topspin. Add in conditioning, slow courts, heat, and more heat, is it better just to have a slice game--drop shots, deep slices?

thoughts?

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

I am 45 playing in the age group ITFs, and its just so amazing to me how many people are slicing... AND because they slice, it's so hard to hit topspin. Add in conditioning, slow courts, heat, and more heat, is it better just to have a slice game--drop shots, deep slices?

thoughts?

I think it's good to have a slice regardless of age. And I think it's easier on the body. I don't think that only having slice is better than also having topspin. I used to hate playing against a slicer for the same reason you mention. Now it doesn't bother me [nearly as much] because I've learned to get down low and lift up on the ball [otherwise, straight into the net!]. If you have knee problems, this will be difficult.

 

[grip]

Play the net a lot because it's harder to pass a person at net with slice.

 

[Bionic slice]

hi10spro, I think its important to have a more complete game and if you are facing a slicer, reading the shot is key and attacking the shot is key. You will lose less points having better movements and recognizing the slicing shots.
I think the slice is the easiest shot to hit personally. I would learn the drop slice, hooking into the body slice and be able to hit deep angled slice. But the topspin is needed to win and power game is key which means you need to have a consistent forehand with pop and you also need to be able to have a backhand, since you are play at a higher level, you need to be able to defend a simple shot like a slice and also attack this weaker stroke vs more advance players.

 

[onehandbh]

...its just so amazing to me how many people are slicing... AND because they slice, it's so hard to hit topspin. Add in conditioning, slow courts, heat, and more heat, is it better just to have a slice game--drop shots, deep slices?

thoughts?

IMO, slice shots are less effective on slow courts because they sit up more and don't skid as much.
On slow courts, I find topspin to be more effective.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

Play the net a lot because it's harder to pass a person at net with slice.

I have to be prepared to adjust my racquet face to slightly more open or else I dump the volley into the net. it's almost as if I'm slice volleying his slice passing shot.

 

[winstonlim8]

After another recent round of injuries, I have had to start playing with a combination of slice and topspin, the biggest change being on my forehand side.

I have always been able to hit both slice and topspin easily off my one-handed backhand but seldom took the trouble to decide which one better suited the situation. Now, I use topspin mainly for passing shots when power is less important than accurately dipping the ball and slice for when I want to really hit the ball hard and as an approach shot or to attack the return of serve.

I tried and tried to hit a topspin forehand with an Eastern and then a Semi-Western grip and modern technique but ended up permanently injuring my forearm instead. So now I hit a Continental forehand using controlled flat topspin for rallying, a little more topspin for passing shots and slice the ball for approach shots and change of spin.

I almost never hit a floaty slice off either side except to disrupt my opponent's rhythm occasionally.

To be honest, I think facing the fact that I will always have a controlled forehand at best, has added years to my playing life and given me a better grasp and application of spin and strategy. No more trying to blast the ball with high hopes. And hopefully, I won't have to wait another 30 years to get to 3.0...


And yes, I agree with S&V-not_dead_yet about confounding people who try to volley my slice backhand, especially. It usually takes them some time to learn how not to dump it into the net because I can vary the amount of spin I put on it...now if only I could learn to do that off my forehand. *sigh*

 

[Moveforwardalways]

It depends. You often see seniors hitting more slice and flat, but you never know if that's because topspin is harder as you age or if that's just how tennis used to be played back when they learned the game and so that's just how they play. I personally am middle aged and I do not find top spin shots hard on me physically. In fact, slice rallies are often tougher physically because they last longer and you have to dip low for every shot. It also helps that I was in the first wave/phase of the western grip topspin game as a kid when that style of play was beginning to take over, so it is second nature to do that. It will be interesting to see how players my age play as they get older, whether they start slicing for physical reasons or continue to hit heavy topspin balls.

 

[Moveforwardalways]

I tried and tried to hit a topspin forehand with an Eastern and then a Semi-Western grip and modern technique but ended up permanently injuring my forearm instead. So now I hit a Continental forehand using controlled flat topspin for rallying, a little more topspin for passing shots and slice the ball for approach shots and change of spin.

Sorry to hear you injured your forearm. Can you describe the injury? Did you learn from a coach? I'm just curious. Since I have never thought a topspin forehand to be tough on the arm.

 

[LeeD]

It's always up to you.
But if everyone's doing it, that means something.
You can't pass a car while travelling directly behind it.
OTOH, if you yourself can't beat a slicer .......

 

[winstonlim8]

Thank you for your concern, Moveforwardalways. I had a minor tear on my forearm muscle (the flexor carpi radialis, hope I got that right) earlier this year that kept me from playing for 4 months. I've been wearing a strap for support since then and there wasn't any pain but I tried hitting with an Eastern forehand grip again and it felt strained.

I got the injury trying to change from a high down the line forehand to a cross court shot to avoid hitting the back of my partner's head during a mixed doubles game. She was in her 70s and couldn't get out of the way in time.

I just felt a snapping sensation at that time, and then after that, I just couldn't keep my fingers closed when I tried to hit a backhand. Even a soft, dinky ball was enough to trigger the pain and a reflex action where my fingers just opened up of their own accord. Hitting forehands was less painful as long as I didn't try more than pushing the ball back and I couldn't serve at all.

Last week, I started experiencing discomfort when I was playing with my younger nephew so I resorted to simply slicing my forehands with a Continental grip and didn't feel any pain after that. I tried hitting flat topspin again with the Continental and it felt fine but I am not taking any chances and I am going to forget about ever trying to rip the cover off the ball with my forehand ever again.

I just don't feel comfortable with anything other than a Continental. Back when I was a junior, I was taught to hit with an Eastern grip but naturally gravitated to a Continental on my own and couldn't change no matter what. That was another reason the coaches sort of gave up on me as a no-talent hacker.

So it's really my own fault that I got injured in the forearm. I'm just too tensed when I try to hit forehands with any other grip. It was my sister who noticed that. She's naturally talented when it comes to sports and changed to a Semi-Western successfully a few years ago. She even took a video of me hitting forehands to prove her point.

It's my own stupidity and muleheadedness that's kept me from maximising my game. If I'd just faced the fact that I'll never have a big forehand years ago and learnt to play using my backhand as my main weapon, it wouldn't have taken me 30 years to get to 2.5.

So now I have to learn to play accurate and controlled forehands, keeping the ball deep or hitting the angles without trying to powder the ball until I get a ball I can attack with my backhand.

That and learn to protect my weaker side with topspin lobs and changing spins.

 

[navigator]

thoughts?

One of the top two or three guys locally in the O40s hits 90% slice BH and 70% slice FH. He can knife it pretty deep off both sides and, if necessary, come over the ball. But his typical rally shot is a moderate pace, deep slice. He's very fit and typically just grinds out his wins. A typical win might be 6-2 6-2 but it might take an hour and a half. He does well at the regional and national levels too.

From what I've seen, power and spin slowly decline in importance the older you get; placement, consistency, strategy and fitness slowly increase in importance. By the time you get to the 60s there's hardly anyone with meaningful power (or ridiculous spin) outside of the very top players in USTA and ITF.

Even a world class senior player like McEnroe doesn't hit the ball *that* hard (other than his serve) or with a lot of spin. But his placement and shot selection are incredible.

Just my observation.

 

[PMChambers]

Topspin. Must have a good consistent topspin. As you age it's hard to get around the court and topspin opens up the court. It's also more consistent with better clearance and safety. If you play mainly doubles a slice becomes a liability on return and playing deep. Like all shots the slice is a great shot to have but bread n butter should be topspin unless your happy playing pushing-n-giggle.

 

[TennisCJC]

No. It is better to have topspin game.

I have watched open level 50, 55 and 60 ages and singles guys all had good topspin fh. You do see some all slice bh strokes but you also see moderate topspin bh strokes.

I think you want at least a good slice bh but you want topspin off both sides even in seniors.

You are playing 45 age which is still young. You should see guys that rip fh at that age.

I played an ex-college d1 guy in his early 60s in doubles recently. His fh was very moderate topspin with a lot of pace. He still had a great fh

 

[LeeD]

And it depends how your body is holding up.
Guys with rotator cuff problems, maybe slice only, even the forehand side. YOU say the forehand can be attacked, but that's NOT true, because the attacker is the same age as the slicer, can't cover sliced lobs very well, and the court is wide open for slice shots!
If an old fart hit's with heavy topspin, his opponent saves energy by casually slicing short angles and deep floaters. How many Seniors want long points?

 

[Moz]

You are in an interesting age group in that you are in between a lot of effective slicers in the 50s and the heavy topspin of the over 40s.

The top guys (and in fact most) in the 40s and 45s all hit good topspin on the forehand and most have topspin backhands. The very best in the 50s also hit topspin, but some hit mostly slice backhands.

But what is happening is the topspin game is reaching the higher age groups because that's how they were taught as juniors. The current crop of 40s will be playing the same style in the 50s. Everybody is also getting fitter and fitter. If you don't have topspin in the 45s you'll get carved up by the better players.

 

[Deleted member 23235]

Plenty of older guys I play (40's-50's) all rip their fh topspin... as hard as the juniors... they/we just don't get into position to hit that fh as often as the juniors can

That said, if someone is slicing and dicing you to death where you can't hit your fh effectively, what quality of shot are you giving them to allow them to do that to you?
Against a good slicer, and I'd be hitting almost moonballs to get the ball out of their strikezone... or at the very least they can't hit the slice and keep it low if they are constantly hitting at shoulder/head height.
Also, nothing wrong with just slicing a low ball back..

Something else to think about... for folks just learning topspin (eg. high 3.5 to low 4.0), for some reason, forget about hitting for depth, and think the spin they just learned is enough to win the point (worked at 3.5 and 4.0)... but when they come up against someone that is used to hitting that spin... that topspin fh ends up being a liability, because it feeds their opponent sitters at the baseline. in this case, if you're slice is consistent enough to place deep, it's probably a better shot, until you can get the same depth with your fh.

Lastly, the question, to me, really sounds like, "If one is not in the best tennis shape, is topspin or slice better"... obviously the real answer is to drop some weight, get into shape, etc... but if they wasn't an option, I'd probably play a touch game, where I'm dinking you all over the court with lobs, droppers, occasional drives, etc... and I'd position myself in no-man's-land to minimize my running, but I better be pinpoint accurate, because if I leave just one sitter, the point is over.

 

[edman9898]

Hit slice for seniors. They are too old to bend over... LOL

 

[LeeD]

All the old farts around San Pablo Park are slicers, talking 71+ years of age.
A few late '60's also.
One early '70's hit with a little topspin on his forehand side, mostly flat, but slices exclusively on his backhand side.
I don't think a slice gives old farts any more trouble than a heavy topspin shot.

 

[treblings]

You are in an interesting age group in that you are in between a lot of effective slicers in the 50s and the heavy topspin of the over 40s.

The top guys (and in fact most) in the 40s and 45s all hit good topspin on the forehand and most have topspin backhands. The very best in the 50s also hit topspin, but some hit mostly slice backhands.

But what is happening is the topspin game is reaching the higher age groups because that's how they were taught as juniors. The current crop of 40s will be playing the same style in the 50s. Everybody is also getting fitter and fitter. If you don't have topspin in the 45s you'll get carved up by the better players.

i´m playing ITF 50s at the moment and couldn´t agree more

last two tournaments i played this autumn, they had a gym and it was packed with seniors working out. and most of them knew what they where doing
so yes, definitely fitter and more topspin backhands in the coming years.

still, seniors tennis will always be about moving the other guy around and developing a good slice bh/dropshot will pay off

 

[LeeD]

What appears to trouble senior's, the good ones, is great ball placement, NOT heavy slice or heavy topspin. They've faced heavy topspin, slice, and fast ball speed for decades already.
But placement, making them run 3 steps to each ball, and short angles/drop shots, will always trouble the aged.
Case in point, my two buds Larry and Chuck. They have been A player's since the early '70's, have never stopped playing tennis, still play mostly singles, and faced HankPhister serves, JohanKriek topspin, and TorbinUlrich smarts. You don't win points against them by hitting thru them, you win by forcing them to move for every ball, then hit hard right AT them, inside their box.