The biggest hole in Raonic's game

[TTMR]

Originally Posted by LeeD

Lots of offensive players don't bother with defense, choosing instead to hold their own serves, and saving their energy so they can hold their own serves.

That would be a conservative and defensive strategy. An offensive strategy would be to attack the opponent's serve, being aggressive on the return, as well as endeavoring to hold serve with authority.

[Joseph L. Barrow]

His biggest problem is consistency from the baseline. His groundstrokes are pretty big, but not so big and well-placed that he can rip winners like Del Potro, and he sprays a lot of balls.

[LeeD]

Almost all the big guy strategies involve serving big, ripping off winners to hold serve, then when they return, they either go for broke, or more likely, just hit the ball back and hope the server makes a dumb mistake, at which point big guy pounces and pummells the ball for a winner.
Call if offensive, selective offense, or whatever, that's the big guy strategy starting with Sampras.

[Clarky21]

His movement and quickness are the biggest holes in his game,and he can be inconsistent from the baseline. Too bad his game is like the tennis form of Ambien. He has no personality and is a total boring snoozefest.

[LBR1]

Originally Posted by Clarky21

His movement and quickness are the biggest holes in his game,and he can be inconsistent from the baseline. Too bad his game is like the tennis form of Ambien. He has no personality and is a total boring snoozefest.

Maybe he lulls his opponents into a sleep state so he can pounce?
But sure I'd like to see a little more personality. A smile, some enthusiasm perhaps. But none of the big guys have much for some reason.

[LBR1]

Originally Posted by Zildite

He is ranked 60th in % return games won, so not amazing.
Had his fair share of injuries already, short points or not.

Thanks for that.

I couldn't find that particuar ranking but I looked at the big guys I'm most familar with and compared two stats, not including yesterday but
Games that were broken, and games that were able to break, and the margin. Milos has the lowest % for broken and a better break % than Isner.

I don't know but would think that the greater the margin the higher winning % that is likely. Of course the ranking depends on which matches and torneys that are won, not just overall winning.

But Raonic's margin is just a few % point below the top big guys, and better
than Isner.

In order of last tour ranking:

Thomas Berdych
13% broken
25% breaks
12% margin

Del Potro
13% broken
26% breaks
13% margin

John Isner
9% broken
11% breaks
2% margin

Milos
7% broken
16% breaks
9% margin

Querry
14% broken
17% breaks
3% margin

[sunof tennis]

Originally Posted by LeeD

Tall guys can indeed run fast...UsainBolt.
But changing directions are not their specialty.

Tell that to Michael Jordan or LeBron James. Kobe alsocould do it well to when he was younger. I believe they are 6'6'', 6'8'' and 6'7'' respectively

[LeeD]

Now that's where you are totally off base.
While Kobe, LeBron, Durant, and of course Jordan can move really quickly and change directions well FOR A BIG GUY, no way can they stay with the KevinJohnsons, IsiaThomas's, CrisPauls, or TonyParkers in the game.
The reason you see the big guys blow past the little quicker guys is the hand check and body check before the move. Push a guy 1/4 step back, you're free to move past.
A little guy blows past those big guys, but the big guys hand check, reach in, and body up the little guys when playing D.
Look at the size of NFL cornerbacks. NOT ONE, who's a coverage specialist, is over 6' tall, and most are closer to 5'9" tall.
NFL draws from a pretty big pool of athletic talent.
While RandyMoss and LarryFitzgerald can run as fast and jump higher than any CB, they need a preplanned route, while the CB is adlibbing and constantly changing his direction to REACT to the reciever's moves.

[LBR1]

Now what do you say?

Really amazing performance against both these top players.
He didn't look like he was playing patsy cake and used his size and
strength and movement to his advantage. And both matches were
enjoyable to watch.

Made some new fans I'd imagine ...

[Magnetite]

His movement is a big weakness right now.

[LBR1]

Originally Posted by Magnetite

His movement is a big weakness right now.

It may be a relative weakness but he moved exceptionally well in both matches, especially forward. Watch his latest matches if you haven't seen them. Or later today in the Japan finals ...

Funny how he'll have Niskori (sp) in the finals and practically the next day the first round at Bejing.

[Evan77]

movement and BH.

[フェデラー]

I guess that big hole in his game didn't matter against Murray...

[VPhuc tennis fan]

Originally Posted by Evan77

movement and BH.

Change to the 1h BH. Go for it. You have Fed as an example.