Are you a perfect Height?

[JohnS]

How tall are you and if you could choose, would you be taller or shorter? What do you think is the perfect height and weight for a tennis player.

It seems that the average tennis player is around 6'0" - 6'2" in my opinion. I think I found some statistic on the atptennis.com page stating that the average height of a pro tennis player, about 2 years ago, was 6'1". This is about the height of federer, nadal, roddick, gasquet, bjorkman, etc...

 

[dubsplayer]

I'm 5'1" and weigh 105. I'm at 3.5 player. Very speedy and even at my advanced age can get to pretty much everything. I don't hit my serve outrageously hard but I can place it just about anywhere I want. Also, in long rallies the bigger girls can eventually hit a ball so hard I can't run it down. I have to think a lot more out there then the bangers and have to get them out of position and on the run.

For me I'd like to be a few inches taller (5'3) and maybe 10 pounds heavier.

Perfect height. Don't think there is one.

 

[JohnS]

It seems like the majority of the players shorter than 6'0 have greater speed and quickness whereas the players taller than 6'0" have a lot more power. That's why I was thinking about being a 6'0-6'2" was the perfect player because of a good combination of both mobility and power. Look at all of the great players who are of this height. It also seems like weight being around 170's to 180's is the ideal weight too.

 

[WillAlwaysLoveYouTennis]

Had reasonable speed before having to have a knee repaired after a similar accident to the one Thomas Muster suffered in the late 80s. But because of height, have a tendency towards back problems.

Just in passing, had to always work additionally on bending my knees sufficiently to get down for volleys and groundstrokes. Serve was always quite easy and invasive with great pace.

I fall in the 6'5-6'6 category.

 

[will1087]

Sampras:

6 ft 1 in (185 cm)

Federer:

185 cm (6 ft 1 in)

Lendl:

187 cm (6 ft 2 in)



I'm 6'1"

 

[BiGGieStuFF]

6 Feet is ideal for me. I'm just a tad shy

 

[JohnS]

Sampras:

6 ft 1 in (185 cm)

Federer:

185 cm (6 ft 1 in)

Lendl:

187 cm (6 ft 2 in)



I'm 6'1"

Nadal is also 6 ft 1 in (though he looks 6'2" imo)

Fererro is 6'0" or 6'1"

Roddick is 6'2"

Baghdatis is 6'1"

Murray is 6'1"

Blake 6'1'' (185 cm)

Stepanek 6'1'' (185 cm)

Gonzo 6'0'' (182 cm)

Nieminen 6'1'' (185 cm)

Courier 6'1'' (185 cm)

 

[zhan]

Sampras:

6 ft 1 in (185 cm)

Federer:

185 cm (6 ft 1 in)

Lendl:

187 cm (6 ft 2 in)



I'm 6'1"

dont forget
capris pants is also 6'1"

 

[will1087]

dont forget
capris pants is also 6'1"

What do you know...

 

[quest01]

I'm an ideal height but who cares what your height is, height means nothing when it comes to Tennis.

 

[punch]

height means nothing when it comes to Tennis.

You're joking, right?

 

[baseliner]

When asked for an ideal height (for anyone, not necessarily tennis) Abraham Lincoln opined that the perfect height was tall enough sothat when one stood up one's feet reached the ground. Hence I believe I am the ideal height. (I'm 6'4')

 

[zhan]

I'm an ideal height but who cares what your height is, height means nothing when it comes to Tennis.

Heist mean nothing just until you hit someone with heavy topspin and the ball shoots up above your head every time the opponent rallys the ball over

 

[Rickson]

It seems like the majority of the players shorter than 6'0 have greater speed and quickness whereas the players taller than 6'0" have a lot more power. That's why I was thinking about being a 6'0-6'2" was the perfect player because of a good combination of both mobility and power. Look at all of the great players who are of this height. It also seems like weight being around 170's to 180's is the ideal weight too.

The 2 fastest players in the ATP are 6'1. They are Nadal and Federer.

 

[quest01]

Taller players:

Pros:
Bigger serve
Maybe bigger ground strokes (questionable)

Cons:
Slower
Less consistent

Shorter players:

Pros:
More consistent
Quicker

Cons:
Serve not as powerful
high bounces may give them trouble

 

[JohnS]

Heist mean nothing just until you hit someone with heavy topspin and the ball shoots up above your head every time the opponent rallys the ball over

i.e. Rochus does have ALOT of trouble handling Safin's power. So would Rochus be a little bit better if he was taller?

Would Karlovic be better (more speed and agility) if he was shorter?

If i had to choose one, I'd rather be of Karlovic's height instead of Rochus.

 

[zhan]

i.e. Rochus does have ALOT of trouble handling Safin's power. So would Rochus be a little bit better if he was taller?

Would Karlovic be better (more speed and agility) if he was shorter?

If i had to choose one, I'd rather be of Karlovic's height instead of Rochus.

Just watch H-T Lee vs. Nadal tonight
Lee = short ... the Nadal's groundstrokes will bounce above shoulder height like every time...
so its extremely difficult...

 

[flymeng]

Height does matter

A few tennis commentators or players said that 6'1" is the perfect height for a male player. You want the height when you serve. You don't want to be to too tall becuase it hinders your movement.

 

[WillAlwaysLoveYouTennis]

I think taller players can have a problem with mobility, not so much as moving side to side, but when pulled forward or having to drop back quickly. Or such was my greater difficulties. Had to do maybe drills to improve quickness, though having good anticipation can help with this.

 

[zhan]

A few tennis commentators or players said that 6'1" is the perfect height for a male player. You want the height when you serve. You don't want to be to too tall becuase it hinders your movement.

Sam Querry got moved around by Nadal yesterday and got owned...
I was like YEAAAH make the big guy move!!
:mrgreen:

 

[fastdunn]

The 2 fastest players in the ATP are 6'1. They are Nadal and Federer.

I think there are handful of players who are faster than Federer.

 

[verdasco67]

Coria, ferrero are also really fast around the court...federer is surely not one of the fastest.

 

[zhan]

I think there are handful of players who are faster than Federer.

might be FASTER in terms of overall foot speed
but federer and nadal's willingness to retrieve, court vision, and unlazy feet helps them to be the actual fastest players...

fed and nadal have good court vision so they can see where the ball is going to go so they react quickly
their feet is not stagnate
they make their opponent to hit 1 more shot

 

[Andres]

Just watch H-T Lee vs. Nadal tonight
Lee = short ... the Nadal's groundstrokes will bounce above shoulder height like every time...
so its extremely difficult...

That doesn't mean or proove anything.
Gaudio is 5'9'' and LOVES his shoulder height shots. Why does he solve it? Extreme grips!
Extreme eastern (ala Kuerten, almost SW) on the backhand, and Western on the forehand.

 

[Breaker]

might be FASTER in terms of overall foot speed
but federer and nadal's willingness to retrieve, court vision, and unlazy feet helps them to be the actual fastest players...

fed and nadal have good court vision so they can see where the ball is going to go so they react quickly
their feet is not stagnate
they make their opponent to hit 1 more shot

I could say the same thing about Blake, Monfils, Hewitt, Clement, Coria, etc..They all cover as much court and make the opponent's hit one more shot.

Anyway, imo the perfect height SHOULD be 6'4''/6'5'', these players seem to have the most natural athleticism and have the entire package, but with more power than the guys around Federer's height, but the being at a higher altitude must affect their heads or something because it seems all the guys up there are mental cases.

 

[Andres]

I could say the same thing about Blake, Monfils, Hewitt, Clement, Coria, etc..They all cover as much court and make the opponent's hit one more shot.

Anyway, imo the perfect height SHOULD be 6'4''/6'5'', these players seem to have the most natural athleticism and have the entire package, but with more power than the guys around Federer's height, but the being at a higher altitude must affect their heads or something because it seems all the guys up there are mental cases.

I have to agree. 6'3'' / 6'4'' is the perfect height.
And about them being slower then shorter guys, I have to disagree. It's a matter of HOW you work out. Scottie Pippen, who's 6'7'', or almost any another bball small forward between 6'5'' and 6'8'' can probably out-run ANY tennis player, because of how their bodies are built. So it's not the height. It's the player.

I don't have a tennis player physique, because of my very strong basketball background, and I'm SURE I can outrun almost EVERY player I've played against, who just doesn't work out aerobic and anaerobicly.

Wanna improve your footspeed? Try mixing aerobic and anaerobic running workouts. Lots of jogging, with some rope jumping, plus going up and down a stairs, and the most important, 30 yards sprints.

 

[simi]

I'm 6'3" and that height tends to intimidate opposition players when I'm at the net. I can move okay, front to back, and side to side. The biggest disadvantage for me is balls hit at my feet. Those are difficult to return to where they are not floaters, or easy put-aways.

If I could change my height, I would choose to be 6' even. The biggest disadvantage in my life is that I can't sit comfortable in just any automobile I'd like to. Most sports cars are designed for shorter people than 6'3". It is a hunt finding pants that fit properly also. The biggest advantage in daily life is that I can "see over the crowd".

 

[Babblelot]

At 5'9", far too short for my perfect weight.

 

[AngeloDS]

I'm 5'6-5'7", wish I was taller. I play a lot of 6'0" players and life seems easier for them .

6'1" is the ideal height for a tennis player. I don't know, but my friend who's 6'0" says he has a hard time seeing the service line because the top of the tape meets perfectly with the service line. So he can't "judge" or see it, so he can't aim well on his serves (depth perception stuff).

At 6'1", the body weight & the length of the limbs = superb. You can cover so much court easily because of the long stride, you have the body weight (around 170+) without doing damage to the body and a lot of that weight is put into the shot, a lot of the shots will be at the hip or chest.

Any shorter than that, balls will be coming up above the shoulders. And those are tough to handle.

 

[WillAlwaysLoveYouTennis]

I'm 6'3" and that height tends to intimidate opposition players when I'm at the net. I can move okay, front to back, and side to side. The biggest disadvantage for me is balls hit at my feet. Those are difficult to return to where they are not floaters, or easy put-aways.

If I could change my height, I would choose to be 6' even. The biggest disadvantage in my life is that I can't sit comfortable in just any automobile I'd like to. Most sports cars are designed for shorter people than 6'3". It is a hunt finding pants that fit properly also. The biggest advantage in daily life is that I can "see over the crowd".

dont know your location simi, but europe seems more geared for the taller person. no problem finding clothing and i have 4 inches on you.

 

[simi]

dont know your location simi, but europe seems more geared for the taller person. no problem finding clothing and i have 4 inches on you.

Things seems to be getting easier the last couple of years, but we (especially you) are on the wings of the Gaussian height curve.

 

[looseswing]

I am 5'6" almost 7", but I wish that I were four inches taller. It sucks being short, but I still have three or four years to grow.

 

[ATXtennisaddict]

I wish I was 6'.

Only 5'8"

 

[fastdunn]

might be FASTER in terms of overall foot speed
but federer and nadal's willingness to retrieve, court vision, and unlazy feet helps them to be the actual fastest players...

fed and nadal have good court vision so they can see where the ball is going to go so they react quickly
their feet is not stagnate
they make their opponent to hit 1 more shot

Federer's anticipation is superb and he has long reach.
I agree he has superb court vision and eyes for the ball.

But I don't think he is particulary fast. Only way to win a point
against him right now seems to be to move him around and open up
the court. You do the same stratege against Nadal and you'll be screwed...

 

[tonysk83]

I'm 5' 9" and wish I was a few inches taller. My friend that is 5' 5" has such a great serve for his height.

 

[fastdunn]

I know taller people has better straight line angles for all shots.

I'm about 5'10" and I have the best serve among my peers.
But when I faced 6'4", his serve looked like it's shooting from
a tree and his ground strokes had so much torque and weight...

 

[Phillip=Tennis guy]

I'm 5'9" and 14 yrs. I'm still growing.

Doctor told me I will probably be 6'2" -6'4"

 

[Deleted member 6835]

im 5'4", 15 yrs... being a foot taller or so would be nice.. im only suppposed to reach up to 5'6", me and my semi asian genes..

 

[Janne]

im 5'4", 15 yrs... being a foot taller or so would be nice.. im only suppposed to reach up to 5'6", me and my semi asian genes..

Dont feel bad, I´m also short! It would be nice though if I´d grow to atleast 5'8"
or 6'.

 

[zhan]

Dont feel bad, I´m also short! It would be nice though if I´d grow to atleast 5'8"
or 6'.

im 5'7" - 5'8"

 

[lorenza]

im pretty sure there was another thread about this somewhere...but anyways im 5'3. yeah, im short.

 

[zhan]

im pretty sure there was another thread about this somewhere...but anyways im 5'3. yeah, im short.

go shorty its your birthday

 

[Andres]

im 5'7" - 5'8"

I can't understand HOW A PERSON CAN BE 5'7-5'8' or 6'0'-6'1' ...
1 inch is a huge difference!!!
I can undertand if you say: 189-190 cm ... but from 190 to 193 cm, there is a huge diff!!

If you're 184 cm, you're not 6'0' - 6'1'' ... you're just 6'0' 1/3'' and not 6'1'. Actually, 184 cm is closer to 6'0' than 6'1'

 

[Ten.Is]

At a mere 5'8''...my height sucks.

 

[zhan]

I can't understand HOW A PERSON CAN BE 5'7-5'8' or 6'0'-6'1' ...
1 inch is a huge difference!!!
I can undertand if you say: 189-190 cm ... but from 190 to 193 cm, there is a huge diff!!

If you're 184 cm, you're not 6'0' - 6'1'' ... you're just 6'0' 1/3'' and not 6'1'. Actually, 184 cm is closer to 6'0' than 6'1'

cuz im like 5'7" with out shoes
5'8" with shoes

 

[lorenza]

go shorty its your birthday

lol. and thanks for bringing back your cute little smiley people. :mrgreen:

 

[croatian sensation]

I can't understand HOW A PERSON CAN BE 5'7-5'8' or 6'0'-6'1' ...
1 inch is a huge difference!!!
I can undertand if you say: 189-190 cm ... but from 190 to 193 cm, there is a huge diff!!

If you're 184 cm, you're not 6'0' - 6'1'' ... you're just 6'0' 1/3'' and not 6'1'. Actually, 184 cm is closer to 6'0' than 6'1'

What he is trying to say is that metric system is better. :mrgreen:

 

[croatian sensation]

im pretty sure there was another thread about this somewhere...but anyways im 5'3. yeah, im short.

Which means all the guys are taller than you, which is good.

 

[Manda_D]

im 5'10"... thats a good height for a chick, no?

 

[Andres]

What he is trying to say is that metric system is better. :mrgreen:

Croatian Sensation is the only one who GETS me in this Forum. She understands me.
Please, CroSen, never leave!! :mrgreen: