Best Volleyer Amongst This Lot?

[Hyperstate]

Edberg gets my vote, followed by Stich, who was absolutely stunning when he won Wimby. Fantastic hands!

 

[python]

I'm not sure Goran deserves to be included in that company. He was really just a baseliner with a great serve. At Wimbledon he would come in behind his great stuff, but Goran routinely netted balls someone like Henman would make easily enough.

Check out some old Ivanisevic matches on clay... Goran is no serve-and-volleyer.

 

[Vanja Ljubibratic]

I agree with Python. Ivanisevic's vollies were never that great. He only basically had to put away easy floaters after coming in off his serve. I think that Rafter and Krajicek are the best ones in that group. If Rafter was ever able to get his racquet on the ball, he would most likely do something amazing. Krajicek was always amazing when I watched him. He had incredible hands for someone so tall. He should have definitely won a couple more Wimbledons...if he could ever stay healthy for more than a week! Unfortunately Stich in his prime was a little before my time. So was Edberg.

 

[prince]

1 edberg
2 rafter
3 ........

 

[Rabbit]

I made it unanimous so far, of the list, Edberg by far, but John McEnroe has the best volleys of the Open era IMO.

 

[WYK]

Edberg was THE serve and volleyer of Tennis. You always knew when he hit the ball, he was coming in behind it. His mid court volleys were second to none, too. A great S&V'er isn't just good at the net, he's good at getting there. Watching him and Becker play against each other was nothing short of awesome. Those days are seemingly long gone, of course. As for McEnroe, he did have a magic touch. To this day, no one has duplicated Mac's drop volley, though Becker and Edberg come close on occasion.

WYK

 

[ILoveChokers]

I know she was a wta player, but, how would all of you rate Novotna in that list?

She was a great volleyer, definitely better than Ivanisevic IMO, and proabbly better than 1 or 2 other guys in that list.

 

[SliceServe]

Gotta' agree with Rabbit on this one. Although not on the voting list, Mac had the best "natural volley". Very creative shot selection at the net which can not be taught. Your born with that gift.

Edberg had the best "technical volley". Used to love how Edberg would take those few extra stutter steps forward after nailing a volley winner. No doubt the result of his diciplined practice sessions with Tony Pickard showed in actual match play. You could see how aware he was of his balance, foward motion and court positioning when he attacked. Very technically perfect.

 

[Ben42]

Of this group I would rate them: Edberg, Sampras, Rafter, Henman, Federer, Stich, Becker, Krajicheck, and Invanisevic.

 

[@wright]

It would be interesting to see if people think Johnny Mac or Edberg was better at the net...

 

[jmckinney]

Edberg is my vote followed by Stich. If I were to say the true best it would have to be Johnny Mac, as I find it hard that he was left off of this list.

 

[Kevin Patrick]

Edberg had the best backhand volley I've ever seen. McEnroe had the best forehand volley.

 

[kreative]

EDBERG!

 

[Rocky Top]

Edberg - by far...

Don't quite understand the votes for Sampras - there are at least 4 guys I would put ahead of him if you are talking about the volley alone: Edberg, McEnroe, Rafter, & Cash. I think a lot of Pete's success at net was due to the fact that he was usually following in devastating serves or groundtrokes. Not that there's anything wrong with that, mind you - Sampras is the best player of all time IMO.

 

[Count Grishnackh]

Gotta go with Rafter.

 

[AAAA]

Edberg followed in no particular order by Stich, Rafter and Krajicek. Some commentators have said Becker and Sampras used to push a notable number of their forehand volleys rather than punch them like Edberg.

 

[joe sch]

I think Mac had the greatest hands and volleying touch but Edberg was as good as or better as a pure S/V'er. Becker & Rafter are also in this elite cllass. Mac had to play smarter and rely on more guile than the other 3 because he was not as great of a natural athlete with the court speed and baseline power of the other 3.

 

[Hyperstate]

Apologies to all the Mac fans, but he is before my time :wink: Did forget about Pat Cash though...

 

[Deuce]

Of the fairer sex, Navratilova would be at or near the top...