Pat Rafter, last human pinball wizard at net.

[Ted Ghost Shackley]

Pat Rafter was the last true serve and volleyer to win a Slam. He was a human pinball at net; it was almost painful to watch. Rafter retired early as the mental and physical grind was too much.

The new string technology (Luxilon et al.) have helped passing shots and hurt volleying. There are some giants like Max "The Beast" who can serve and volley on the ATP, but I see Rafter as the last champion to play the style, barring changes in the racquet and string technology, balls, or surfaces.

Rafter could not play his game and win majors with today's string technology. Anyone see a true serve and volleyer winning another slam?

[federerfanatic]

The true serve-volleyers today are just not that good. Mario Ancic is probably the best one left and he isnt all that great or anything. Max Mirnyi, aging Jonas Bjorkman, Ivo Karlovic? The quality today is all in the baseliners, or to a lesser extent the arguably "all courters" like Federer. I do think if a true quality serve-volleyer, even one of Rafter caliber emerges they could atleast win 1 or 2 slams, as he won 2 in his prime. If a truly great one like Edberg, Sampras, or Becker emerged they could win multiple slams even in todays game, especialy when Feddy boy retires. The current serve-volley players are just not of that high a standard, no disrespect.

[Ted Ghost Shackley]

I have been told that Rafter has said that he could not play his game today as the passing shots are too tough. The new strings generate so much spin that big shots can dip too severely at the net and acute angles can be hit by most players.

Conversely, these strings have less touch and make it harder to volley. I enjoy a contrast of styles and would like to see another McEnroe, Edberg or Rafter competing with the baseliners and all too rare all-courters like Fed.

[Andres]

Originally Posted by Ted Ghost Shackley

Conversely, these strings have less touch and make it harder to volley. I enjoy a contrast of styles and would like to see another McEnroe, Edberg or Rafter competing with the baseliners and all too rare all-courters like Fed.

He can still avoid Luxilon, you know? And play with some good ol' nat gut

[Ted Ghost Shackley]

Originally Posted by Andres Guazzelli

He can still avoid Luxilon, you know? And play with some good ol' nat gut

I meant that guys like Roddick, who use Luxilon in the mains, will have trouble developing feel at the net. Federer uses gut in the mains, which gives him better feel at net. Rafter would probably still use gut if he was in his prime today, but too many guys hit huge spin for him to play his game.

[prosealster]

Originally Posted by Ted Ghost Shackley

I meant that guys like Roddick, who use Luxilon in the mains, will have trouble developing feel at the net. Federer uses gut in the mains, which gives him better feel at net. Rafter would probably still use gut if he was in his prime today, but too many guys hit huge spin for him to play his game.

That's right.... he can choose what string he want to use...but he can't stop what other choose to use..... As much as I love Rafter, he would not be as successful today... just look at the passing shots the players are hitting....with regularity.....The reasons why there are less quality volleyers today is that the pros and their coaches knows what strategy they have to play in order to win... and that's predominately from baseline, and only come in on really decent approaches...but some how, some 3.0 hacks on the board thinks they know more about tennis than the pros or their coaches

[Dark Victory]

Originally Posted by federerfanatic

The true serve-volleyers today are just not that good. Mario Ancic is probably the best one left and he isnt all that great or anything. Max Mirnyi, Ivo Karlovic?

Agreed.

As a S&V'er, Ancic is nowhere near someone like, say, Krajicek, who share the same height and big serve he does. Same goes for Ivo. And it's players like them (guys who have the height and cannonball serves to make S&V'ing a lot easier) who are in the best position to do so. It's true that technology and slower surfaces make volleying a lot more difficult nowadays. But even so, I still think it's possible to compete with that style given the right tools and talent.