will serve and volley get more effective again in the future?

[dominikk1985]

My theory is that in the future when more players grow up that have never seen S&V this strategy can become effective again simply because they have never faced that style.

Of course not all the time but maybe coming in 1 or 2 times each service game might be a good idea.

at least it would keep the opponent guessing on what happens and keep him from grooving the returns.

[S&V Specialist]

Originally Posted by dominikk1985

My theory is that in the future when more players grow up that have never seen S&V this strategy can become effective again simply because they have never faced that style.

Of course not all the time but maybe coming in 1 or 2 times each service game might be a good idea.

at least it would keep the opponent guessing on what happens and keep him from grooving the returns.

In the future? It's effective now!

[dominikk1985]

Originally Posted by S&V Specialist

In the future? It's effective now!

I know. but I was talking about the college and pro level. For rec players with a good serve I think using it can be very effective.

[TheCheese]

I think it'll be tough because of how much spin you can generate with poly strings. You can hit such dipping passing shots that it makes it difficult unless you have a really good serve.

[luvforty]

i think it's under used in all levels.

even at the pro level, most of net points won stats are way over 50%

[S&V Specialist]

S&V will become more popular when pros become tired of matches that exceed 5hrs...which has been a direct result of modern tennis bs.

[Head Pegger]

There is no evidence that suggests that s&v will become more effective in the future. Quite the contrary, as baseline grinding play has become the dominant play style in the ATP.

End of thread.

[The Meat]

Originally Posted by TheCheese

I think it'll be tough because of how much spin you can generate with poly strings. You can hit such dipping passing shots that it makes it difficult unless you have a really good serve.

Make sure you don't have to hit another shot after the initial volley, solved

[dominikk1985]

Originally Posted by TheCheese

I think it'll be tough because of how much spin you can generate with poly strings. You can hit such dipping passing shots that it makes it difficult unless you have a really good serve.

yes but you still have to decide which return to use. against a baseline player you will hit that topspin 2-3 feet over the net but this would be an easy prey for a net charger. if you see that the opponent comes in you will hit a topspin a few inches over the net so that it lands in the service box the the servers feet. that return is good against the net charger but hitting so short is not good against a baseline player.

If you would serve and volley all the time he could groove those low returns but if you mix it up that could make him more uncoomfortabble in returning.

[TheCheese]

Originally Posted by dominikk1985

yes but you still have to decide which return to use. against a baseline player you will hit that topspin 2-3 feet over the net but this would be an easy prey for a net charger. if you see that the opponent comes in you will hit a topspin a few inches over the net so that it lands in the service box the the servers feet. that return is good against the net charger but hitting so short is not good against a baseline player.

If you would serve and volley all the time he could groove those low returns but if you mix it up that could make him more uncoomfortabble in returning.

Yeah, but if your serve isn't amazing they're going to see you come in and pass you anyway. There's a reason Federer doesn't serve and volley all the time anymore. Remember that he used to play a lot of serve and volley when he first started playing on the tour.

I think it's only feasible to mix it in every once in a while nowadays. Rec level I bet you could do very well, though.

[Mick3391]

Originally Posted by dominikk1985

My theory is that in the future when more players grow up that have never seen S&V this strategy can become effective again simply because they have never faced that style.

Of course not all the time but maybe coming in 1 or 2 times each service game might be a good idea.

at least it would keep the opponent guessing on what happens and keep him from grooving the returns.

Not at the pro level unless they speed up courts. I do look forward to the "Super Fed" who can S&V on todays courts.

Don't count on them slowing down the courts soon, think about it, how many commercials and "Kia" signs do you see in a baseline game versus S&V?

Friday night my son and I watched the full CD of Sampras/Fed 2001, truth be told it was boring because they were identical. Almost no rallies! I mean they were like point to point identical, I think the first set ended like 20 minutes or something and it went to a tie break!

I hope it does come back, EVERYONE needs to learn it. Today my son and I practiced S&V for 4 hours, playing mid court, net, tons of fun. It's amazing some otherwise good players have no clue mid court or at the net.

Anyways......

[marosmith]

I think it needs to be used more as a tactic but not a full time strategy. The problem is coaches tend to want everyone to play the same boring way, and I think that damages someone who could be like a Pete Sampras based on natural skill and ability but coach wants him to win at a young age so idiot coach makes him:

1. Hit with a 2 hbh
2. Never learn proper slice
3. Rely on not missing and chasing balls down to win
4. Don't hit "flat"
5. Only come to the net when forced with a drop shot, or when you have basically hit a winner.
6. Never serve and volley despite opponents repeatedly blocking returns back.
7. Use an APD or PD racket with poly to assure no feel at the net or natural desire to volley with the toy you are yielding

[NLBwell]

If they change the racket and string combos allowed and speed up the courts, then obviously yes. It will only happen if the game is noticably suffering in fan interest and whatever powers that be at the time decide to change these things to generate more income.

[fuzz nation]

I'd say that the top retrievers in the men's game, including Ferrer, Djokovic, and Nadal, have brought some light to this issue. With such stifling defensive skills, it's a tall order for most players to hit through those scramblers from the opposite baseline. The big angles are up at the net, but it takes some know-how to get there with control of the action.

Pure serve and volley brings "right now" pressure against an opponent that can otherwise rip from the back court all day, but it's not reasonable to go forward behind every serve and every return in every setting. Even for players, myself included, who like to end points at the net, the reality today is that we need to be able to at least keep opponents neutralized from our own baselines until we can move forward.

A complete tennis player needs to develop a rather large skill set and also practice all those shots and tactics. Some do, but some don't. We've seen an era loaded with players who work a whole lot on just a portion of that skill set - the mighty baseliners - but I'm more aware now than ever of those who are more balanced. They can be equally as effective from everywhere on the court.

The recreational ranks may not follow this trend as closely as the pros, but I think that those guys who are playing for their lunch money have started coming back to the net to help their cause. Not so much the case among the ranks of the WTA, but I'm optimistic with Aggie Radwanska, etc. changing the landscape.

[marosmith]

Another thought- people often discuss how the new technology lends itself to baseline play. I think you could also argue new rackets and string make serve bigger. Players tend to be bigger, with longer reach. Volleys are much more forgiving compared to 75" rackets of the old days.

I think the slower surfaces and higher bouncing balls are an argument against S&V however just imagine Isner coming in behind a high kicker at 110 mph to a backhand? I don't see him losing many of those points.

My point is it can still work, the obstacle is how people are taught and the monolithic style that juniors are forced into. Hard to break out of that system the way juniors are coached.

[boramiNYC]

considering a lot of current pros have a ton of room for improvement in their volleying skill and thus using it as a core part of their game, I think it's probable we could see more volleys. currently it's like undeveloped last frontier in achieving truly masterful use of the whole court so more power to any pro who can step up in that department on top of the pro level baseline game.

[Topspin Shot]

Serve and volley will only make a comeback if one of these two things happens. One: The ATP/WTA/ITF/USTA bans polyester strings. This will never happen. Two: Some really big guys like Milos Raonic come up and dominate with monster serves that even guys like Djokovic can barely return. It is impossible to serve and volley on a regular basis with a normal serve due to the racket technology/returning abilities of the pros today. The only way for serve and volley to make a comeback is for the serve to improve.

[ultradr]

Tennis is totally different game depending on following: the ball and things
that touch the ball.

The ball: the ball has become touch heavier and bigger from late 90s.
String: ploys give 20% more spin than nylon. That's cheating.
Surfaces: post-2003 grass and hard courts are slow and very bouncy.

If we change back the ball and surfaces back to those of 70s - 90s,
we may have some all courters at the top 10. Negative about pure serve
And volleyers like McEnroe and edberg ever coming back with presence of polyester strings, IMHO.

[goran_ace]

Big difference between the pro tour and what you see at the club. Ball? Depends what you bring, but this is the least likely to make a difference. Court? Has your club resurfaced recently - if not they are actually playing faster. Poly strings? Only for the 5-10% of the players who swing fast enough.

[luvforty]

OP didn't specify pro or rec.

for pros, something needs to change to swing the pendulum... conditions as-is, it wont come back except indoors, e.g. Michael Llodra

for recs, nothing really have changed much, SV is effective as ever.