What shot is most satisfying to you?

[kelkat]

My serve, as I watch it corkscrew right into their body like a heat seeking missile. Upon the serve crossing the net, the returner preps his racket one way, and after the ball starts it's spiral of death, he realizes he can't move out of his own way to switch his stroke from a backhand to a forehand. Much fun to watch from my vantage point.

[sportlerin]

Originally Posted by OHBH

Inside out backhand return winner from the deuce court. They never expect that kind of return off a one hander.

Yes. Yes!!

Particularly sweet in doubles, watching it tail away out of the reach of both the would-be poacher and the lunging server.

[cknobman]

Inside out forehand winner.

[sphinx780]

For some odd and possibly perverse reason, I love the volley lob for a winner in a net exchange.

Every time I do this the opponent gives me a WTF look before slumping their shoulders and saying nice shot under their breath. They seem to think I should hit the ball to them. Silly opponents.

[Fusker]

Ace on the opening point of the match.

Better yet, starting a match with four aces. Pulled that off twice last year. In one case, I think it broke the will of a better player and put him in a deep hole before he realized that it was a fluke and he had the better all-around game.

[Relinquis]

The most satisfying? has to be a touch shot.

For me it's the side-spin drop shot* that spins off the court. I love seeing my opponent explode from behind the baseline sprinting aggressively to catch it only to stop at the service line when he realises that the ball is spinning away off to the side of the court.



* I try this shot 1-2 times a set, but i'm not always able to pull it off.

[MonkeyRacquet]

Most satisfying shot in my life that was definitely a fluke and will probably never be reproduced by me was a near 100% sidespin serve. Landed on the outside line on the service box super slowly, me thinking, "Dang, free ball."

To my surprise and definitely my opponent's, the ball barely moved forward at all, just jumped to the side outward.

The ace that I will never see again...

[Mike Y]

The shot that hits the net cord and dribbles over for a winner. Especially on break point or game point.

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by Mike Y

The shot that hits the net cord and dribbles over for a winner. Especially on break point or game point.

Set and match point are even better.

[Fusker]

Originally Posted by Mike Y

The shot that hits the net cord and dribbles over for a winner. Especially on break point or game point.

Don't forget to throw in the phony, I-feel-bad-for-you-but-not-really hand gesture.

[dizzlmcwizzl]

Originally Posted by Fusker

Don't forget to throw in the phony, I-feel-bad-for-you-but-not-really hand gesture.

I am great at that

[Mike Y]

Originally Posted by Fusker

Don't forget to throw in the phony, I-feel-bad-for-you-but-not-really hand gesture.

A couple of days ago I had a friendly match with a friend, and on break point I hit a shot from behind the baseline right at him at the net, and it would have been an easy volley for him and plenty of court to work with as I was not in a good position. But my shot clipped the net cord and went up over his racket for a winner. I then did a Nadal-like fist pump, lol.

[prgault]

Returning a wide shot "around the post" down the line, either side...comes naturally to me, maybe because I am so slow/late...

P_

[S&V Specialist]

Tweener winner. I've only pulled it off a couple of times in match play though...

[matchmaker]

For me touch shots are most satisfying. I sort of try to specialize in them as I don't play for money and like to surprise my opponents by disguising my shots. I purposely have a difficult swing to read and often change at the last moment. Wrongfooting is nice too. Sometimes I will just play an extreme crosscourt ball, with a very sharp angle that bounces before the serve line, close to the sideline. At other times I will pretend to do that but all of a sudden hit an inside out. It is quite satisfying to hit a medium pace winner, just because your opponent runs the other way. Dropshots and lobs, especially in combination are nice too. But if I can choose one shot I especially like it would have to be a cross-court drop volley almost paralel to the net.

[Rui]

I'm very satisfied when an opponent drills a ball at me at the net expecting a forced error or a sitter in return, but I neutralize his advantage instead.

[aurelius]

When your opponent smashes a fantastic shot cross-court that you reach for on the run;

Then they smash it into the other corner expecting a winner while you're still in the corner, you run it down and stretch to just slice it back with your backhand;

They approach the net and hit a sure winner volley which you somehow manage to pop up deep as it's going past you; t

They run back to the baseline to cover it and take a big swing going for broke and it hits the tape on their side with a thwack falling into their court for your point (<--- this is the most satisfying shot);

they turn purple, scream, and swear (maybe even throw/smash their racket) knowing that they hit three winners yet still couldn't win the point as they realize they are screwed for the rest of the match as you both know you've mentally broken them.

[leroy_sunset]

Baseline smash. No one seems to think I am going to hit it. I always do.

I was watching the Tennis Channel one day a few years back and they ran a "1 Minute Clinic" segment about the smash. The pro said "your opponent won't think you can pull off the baseline overhead. Prove them wrong." That's my mantra - prove them wrong.

[wanda]

My favourites are the clutch shots when I'm breakpoint down. An ace down the middle, or a drop volley or running pass.

[Soulie]

1.Your opponent hits a great approach into your backhand corner, proceeds to rush the net expecting a cross court reply, and gets ready for the easy put-away.

2.You decide to risk it and hit the unexpected but beautiful one-hander down the line.

3.They stand there bemused...dumbfounded and can only turn their head and watch as the ball glides gracefully past them.

Feels good.