tennis_hack
Banned
On the tour there are a lot of good players that have great variety and a great all-court game. Guys like Youzhny, Gasquet, Nishikori, Haas, Kohlschreiber, Wawrinka, Dimitrov, Janowicz. They can all slice, trade shots from the baseline, and approach and volley well.
(I know that list seems bias towards one-handers, but it does seem to be true that they have the most 'rounded' games). Federer is the one exception in that he is great (not just 'good') and he's fairly versatile, but there's always an exception.
However, all of these players are good, but not great. It seems that to be great, you should basically forget the variety, and focus on doing one thing, and doing it to perfection. Focus on playing one point, and make it so automatic that you can play it in your sleep. Bludgeon your opponents to death with this one point. They all know what's coming every single time, but none of them can stop it. You're utterly predictable, but still utterly unbeatable.
For Nadal it's the point where you serve to the backhand and hit really high forehands to the backhand, and run after everything until your opponent is ground into powder. For Sampras, it's the point where you serve hard to the backhand and rush the net to put away an easy volley (if your serve is even returned).
For Nadal and Sampras, they know that they're going to execute this point 100% of the time, regardless of opponent, situation, occasion, court surface, and conditions. This is the point that makes up their entire game.
It makes tennis very uncomplicated for them, there is no strategy or tactics involved. If the opponent has worked out how to deal with what you bring to the court, don't change your approach - just execute better. For Nadal, he would hit even more forehand rpm's. For Sampras, just kick serve even higher to the backhand. Simple.
And if you're really going to go down, go down with the ship - never ever change your tactics for anyone. Never try a different approach, never play a different point from the point that made you a great to begin with. Tennis is, essentially, a simple sport, and a one dimensional approach is usually the best one.
I think people should change their attitude towards the label of 'one-dimensional'. If you're a tennis player and you're labelled 'one-dimensional' - it's actually a compliment.
I think all tennis players should strive to be more one-dimensional.
(I know that list seems bias towards one-handers, but it does seem to be true that they have the most 'rounded' games). Federer is the one exception in that he is great (not just 'good') and he's fairly versatile, but there's always an exception.
However, all of these players are good, but not great. It seems that to be great, you should basically forget the variety, and focus on doing one thing, and doing it to perfection. Focus on playing one point, and make it so automatic that you can play it in your sleep. Bludgeon your opponents to death with this one point. They all know what's coming every single time, but none of them can stop it. You're utterly predictable, but still utterly unbeatable.
For Nadal it's the point where you serve to the backhand and hit really high forehands to the backhand, and run after everything until your opponent is ground into powder. For Sampras, it's the point where you serve hard to the backhand and rush the net to put away an easy volley (if your serve is even returned).
For Nadal and Sampras, they know that they're going to execute this point 100% of the time, regardless of opponent, situation, occasion, court surface, and conditions. This is the point that makes up their entire game.
It makes tennis very uncomplicated for them, there is no strategy or tactics involved. If the opponent has worked out how to deal with what you bring to the court, don't change your approach - just execute better. For Nadal, he would hit even more forehand rpm's. For Sampras, just kick serve even higher to the backhand. Simple.
And if you're really going to go down, go down with the ship - never ever change your tactics for anyone. Never try a different approach, never play a different point from the point that made you a great to begin with. Tennis is, essentially, a simple sport, and a one dimensional approach is usually the best one.
I think people should change their attitude towards the label of 'one-dimensional'. If you're a tennis player and you're labelled 'one-dimensional' - it's actually a compliment.
I think all tennis players should strive to be more one-dimensional.
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