A quick view of Bill Tilden's forehand

[Limpinhitter]

That's a pretty modern looking forehand. I sure wish there was more good quality video of Tilden on line.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kpwI7bQBIo

[pc1]

Originally Posted by Limpinhitter

That's a pretty modern looking forehand. I sure wish there was more good quality video of Tilden on line.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kpwI7bQBIo

http://www.britishpathe.com/video/big-bill-tilden Bill Tilden at age 38 I believe. He had won Wimbledon I believe just the year before so he was still superb.

Tilden's record at his best was incredible. He was virtually unbeatable and a true genius of tennis. He invented much of the modern game. Greats like Federer today owe much of their technique to Bill Tilden. I am sure Tilden would have been great in today's game and I'm sure he would have loved today's racquets. You wonder what new theories in tennis he may have figured out in today's modern game.

Edit-Just looked further down in the search results for Tilden and you found the above video a few years ago and posted it on TW.

[Limpinhitter]

Originally Posted by pc1

http://www.britishpathe.com/video/big-bill-tilden Bill Tilden at age 38 I believe. He had won Wimbledon I believe just the year before so he was still superb.

Tilden's record at his best was incredible. He was virtually unbeatable and a true genius of tennis. He invented much of the modern game. Greats like Federer today owe much of their technique to Bill Tilden. I am sure Tilden would have been great in today's game and I'm sure he would have loved today's racquets. You wonder what new theories in tennis he may have figured out in today's modern game.

Edit-Just looked further down in the search results for Tilden and you found the above video a few years ago and posted it on TW.

Yes, I've posted it and watched it many times. His shotmaking is impressive in that video despite his somewhat archaic technique. His first serve at about 1:05 is a bomb, even though it was out. Both he and Kozeluh hit some impressive kick serves as well. I just wish there was more good quality video of Tilden like the very short view I posted in the OP.

[pc1]

Originally Posted by Limpinhitter

Yes, I've posted it and watched it many times. His shotmaking is impressive in that video despite his somewhat archaic technique. His first serve at about 1:05 is a bomb, even though it was out. Both he and Kozeluh hit some impressive kick serves as well. I just wish there was more good quality video of Tilden like the very short view I posted in the OP.

So are you of the same opinion as I am that Tilden would easily be able to play today's game and perhaps improve on it with his theories on tennis? Maybe you should start a thread and ask that question.

I think Tilden was a brilliant player and unfortunately very forgotten today. Strange because he was easily considered the GOAT as late as the late 1960's over Laver, Gonzalez, Rosewall, Budge, Kramer, Cochet etc.

[Limpinhitter]

Originally Posted by pc1

So are you of the same opinion as I am that Tilden would easily be able to play today's game and perhaps improve on it with his theories on tennis? Maybe you should start a thread and ask that question.

I think Tilden was a brilliant player and unfortunately very forgotten today. Strange because he was easily considered the GOAT as late as the late 1960's over Laver, Gonzalez, Rosewall, Budge, Kramer, Cochet etc.

I think Tilden's serve, forehand and movement would be great in any era. His backhand, however, would be vulnerable today. He'd have to improve it to be competitive, IMO.

[smoledman]

He also diddled boys.

[NadalDramaQueen]

Tilden looks like he has some real speed. Imagine if he was allowed to play in some kind of shorts. His forehand does seem to have a modern type of finish on some of his strokes, but I agree that his backhand would have to be modernized.

[pc1]

Originally Posted by Limpinhitter

I think Tilden's serve, forehand and movement would be great in any era. His backhand, however, would be vulnerable today. He'd have to improve it to be competitive, IMO.

Well in his day it was a great backhand and I have no doubt he would have changed it if he felt he had to. Perhaps he may have switched to a two hander.
The man was always studying the game and tried to improve. I read where he perfectly imitated Fred Perry's continental forehand before he felt in certain situations it was the best way to hit the ball back. He told Perry he felt he wouldn't be a complete player unless he learned to do that. Tilden was in his fifties at this point!

Tilden's volley, while not up to the standards of Rosewall, Roche, McEnroe, Laver, Edberg and others would be probably be pretty good today considering the great amount of doubles titles he won.

[NonP]

Originally Posted by Limpinhitter

I think Tilden's serve, forehand and movement would be great in any era. His backhand, however, would be vulnerable today. He'd have to improve it to be competitive, IMO.

Must say I also find his FH more than just "somewhat archaic," at least from what little I've seen. I'm not one to buy the ca***** about the "evolution" of the game, but in Tilden's case I do think the evolution has indeed taken place.

Of course that's not to say he wouldn't be great today. He'd be a different player if he honed his game in this era, but with the same amount of talent.

[KineticChain]

Originally Posted by Limpinhitter

I think Tilden's serve, forehand and movement would be great in any era. His backhand, however, would be vulnerable today. He'd have to improve it to be competitive, IMO.

Hope you're not talking competitive as in the pro tour..