Ash Doyle
Professional
I went to watch a college tennis meet for the first time this weekend and it got me thinking. This was a small college who was playing another small college. None of either teams players were that incredible. I noticed that almost all the players played with a semi- to full-western grip and hit loopy topspin shots. The shots had good pace, plenty of topspin, and good depth. They didn't vary their shots at all. All shots were deep with topspin, with no use of angles. During singles play, players VERY rarely came into net. Even during doubles, most teams played both players back. It just seemed to me that a decent "old-school" player, who was comfortable at the net and hitting slices, could give these players a fit. It seemed to me that forcing them to hit low and sliced balls with their western style grips, forcing them to net where they were not comfortable, and volleying their high topspinning shots at net would be a great recipe for beating these guys. Obviously, that wasn't these guys games, but no one tried it. One doubles team did play one-up and one-back and they destroyed their opponents just by the net guy picking their shots out of the air and slamming it down their throats. However, even when this guy played his singles match he did not come to net. Is this style of play not taught anymore? It just seems to me that at this level of play, and at the club level, this style is still very effective. Any thoughts?