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The only way Fed can beat Djoko in a 3/5 match these days is to win in straight sets and to do that he needs to play lights out tennis with his backhand firing for 3 consecutive sets. While Fed has lost a fraction of a step with age his biggest problem is the way his footwork goes when the match...

Looks as though this story is going to get very unpleasant for tennis. The BBC have just followed up with this - Tennis match-fixing 'a secret on the tour everybody knows' "I started to believe [top players were involved] a few years ago, when a guy told me the result of the next two...

I think there are nuances to this story being missed by most which change things a lot. For example, most are assuming that the payment for fixing takes place around the time of the fix and, in that case, high earning top players would not do it. For some time it has been impossible to break...

I think there are nuances to this story being missed by most which change things a lot. For example, most are assuming that the payment for fixing takes place around the time of the fix and, in that case, high earning top players would not do it. For some time it has been impossible to break...

Ash - I did not think that was great coaching considering it was directed at a 7 year old kid. When coaching kids that age (in fact this applies to all ages) I try to keep the talking down and the demonstration up and I get the kids to realise for themselves what is going on by asking questions...

I was watching and filming Tsonga practicing at Wimbledon last year and he was hitting only 1 hand topspin backhands. I thought I was going mad at the time as I knew he played with a 2HBH. I put it down to him wanting to rest a damaged left finger (think he fell at Queens and injured it) at the...

I think the biggest implication of this question is the draw which Nadal will face at RG if he is not a top 4 seed. He could then find himself having to play 3 out of Djokovic, Murray, Federer and Ferrer in the QF, SF and Final. Quite a daunting prospect and not one he will relish unless there...

Very interesting question and some thought provoking replies already. I thought I would give my perspective as a certified coach who is not a very good player. I guess I would be a solid 4.0 player. Funny thing is, despite my playing level, I attained the top level in the skills test element of...

There should not be any conscious movement of the wrist joint during the forehand forward swing. The key elements to spin are swing path (the steeper the angle the more spin) and racket head acceleration. Key points being: - loose grip and relaxed arm - deep shoulder turn - palm and racket...

Nadal did not spend enough time within the marked out court to find out.

Twitchy balding bloke beaten by some guy with a slight paunch and double chin.

Nadal needs a visit to 'the doctor' !

3 MP for Zeb !

Squeaky bum time !

Nadal has had plenty of time to practice. He put his comeback off for 2 months due to a 'tummy bug' so must have got in a load more practice than he was originally planning.

A bit more composure and Zeb would win this. Wonder if that would prompt another 7 month 'injury break' for Nadal. Doubt we will get to find out now. Zeb missed his chance in that game.

Nadal still struggling to return Zebs funky serve. His ball toss is way back over his head on all serves. Nadal is standing so far back he will not get near swinging serves.

Nadal's knee will not last long if he persists with moonballing from 12 feet behind thew baseline as he is playing much of this match. The big boys will run him ragged. Even Zeb is making him look ordinary when he plays back there.

Cindy - as I said before I don't have the luxury of being able to choose partners when I play league tennis. I have started having a bit of a chat about tactics before matches and warning about my tendency to chip returns and suggesting that they try to hold the net. It helps a bit. One new...

Spaceman - I am also in the UK and can confirm that the 'take 2' plague is widespread. It drives me nuts when I serve an ace, the returner calls it out, his (better placed to make the call) partner says he thought it was good and they tell you to 'take 2' as though they are doing you a favour ...

Cindy - for the purposes of this thread take it that my chipped / chiselled returns are decent - ie not floaters but rather knifed, low bouncing balls which can either be short or deep. While my volleys are better than by groundies I am a certified teaching pro / coach so I can hit the ball...

corbind - not in the US but the level is about 4.0 NTRP. I would be at the strong end of that level. I agree with those who would want their partner to close the net and cover the alley if my C&C return makes it past the opposing net man. I will be staggered and covering the lob so they don't...

I have recently resumed playing league doubles tennis after a few year break. During this break my volleying has improved considerably and is a couple of levels above my groundstrokes. As a result I have become a die-hard chip and charger on return of serve in doubles especially when the server...

I currently use multifilament strings (X-One BiPhase) and find that it is always the crosses which break. It is the mains that move but they seem to plane away the crosses rather than the cross saw the mains. Also the hitting surface of the crosses seems to wear most and so they fray earlier. Do...

Pushers do have weapons but they are more subtle than a massive forehand or serve. Their weapons are fitness, movement, footwork, concentration and consistency. For stronger pushers I would add placement, court sense and anticipation to that list. In some ways good pushers are high level...

Coaching Mastery - I think all coaches should be open to having players hit 2 handed forehands. Many of the kids I teach naturally do it and I encourage and support it when this is the case. I even have a couple who hit 2 handed forehand off both sides. That is they switch the hands round...

You are wrong to label someone who hits mostly slice as a pusher. One of the most aggressive players I know hits mostly slice forehands (pretty flat with an element of slice). He times it to perfection, just clearing the net and with great placement and hits more clean winners with it than most...

You should not hate resorting to lobbed returns. I did not see the match but apparently it was used against one of the top mens doubles pairs in a match at Wimbledon to great effect. I have turned around matches against decent pairs which looked lost causes by employing it. When I coach doubles...

No I do not mean 'type of shot'. I agree topspin drive (either 'old school' or WW), slice, squash shot, lob, drop shot are all fine shots which can be played with good form. What I am referring to is when you have chosen your shot type but then your brain subconsciously changes from that good...

For me it depends. If it is a lob over me which I reckon I can reach for an overhead then that is what I go for. If I can't reach it then it depends on positioning as to who takes it. If my partner has stayed back after serving then letting him take it and switching is an option. But if he is...