Djokovic or Wawrinka forehand?

[NoleFam]

Is tennis not about winning? What kind of argument is this?
Having a better stroke or game than someone will allow you to beat them........ That's all there is to it.

Now as for your list... It literally looks like a list of who can hit forehands the fastest..
Some of these players had good forehand runs, but to say they have a better forehand than Djokovic is ridiculous.

Novak would win a forehand to forehand rally most of the times with Verdasco, Monfils, Kyrgios, Soderling, Sampras, and Blake....

With modern forehand form and racquet technology, Djokovic trumps out Agassi and Sampras.
The only players I could definitely say had a scary forehand better than Novak is Fed, Nadal, Del Po, and Gonzalez.

Think about it...... Novak faced against the two greatest forehands ever in Nadal and Fed. AND he has a winning record against them. His game revolves around his baseline game and you're telling me he's not in the top 10? The man even has a winning head to head against Del Potro who once said that Novak's groundstrokes on both wings are extremely lethal.

I agree with most of this. The only thing I would say is Sampras' banana forehand is the best that I have ever seen and for that reason he has to be ranked over Djokovic. The rest is what I pretty much think as well. Some people are getting pure velocity confused with what's better. The guys on their lists with pure velocity got stomped when they tried to go forehand to forehand against Federer while Djokovic was holding his own as far back as 2007.

 

[Deleted member 716271]

The people who seriously voted for Wawrinka should be banned from posting---not only on this forum, but on any forum.

 

[weakera]

Djokovic when zoning. And the rest of the time too.

 

[Incognito]

Thing is Novak and Agassi have very similar games but Novak is considered a better player. Both have top backhands. Why isn’t Djokovic’s forehand better than Agassi?

Have you compared Agassi’s court coverage to Novak’s? That’s why he’s won more and is considered the better player, plus he has better serve. FH to FH, Agassi’s was better.

 

[Deleted member 756486]

The people who seriously voted for Wawrinka should be banned from posting---not only on this forum, but on any forum.

Even the knitting forum?

 

[Incognito]

That same tournament, Djokovic hit 23 FH winners to Nadal's 3. Does Djokovic have a better fh than Nadal now?

Nadal doesn’t produce the most winners even when he wins. With Nadal, what you probably need to do is count the Forced errors his forehand has caused the opponent.

 

[Incognito]

Top 10?

Fed
Rafa
Agassi
DelHotro
Lendl
Courier
Ferrero
Moyà
Verdasco
Gonzales
- Safin
-Borg
-Blake

Courier should be in the first list (so should Moya) and having Monfils/Kyrgios in the 1st list is a joke. Their FHs aren't even remotely close to those rankings and certainly worse than that a lot of a lot of players.
I'd put Soderling in honorable mentions as well.

What did you think of my list? I didn’t rank them though.

 

[Incognito]

I agree with most of this. The only thing I would say is Sampras' banana forehand is the best that I have ever seen and for that reason he has to be ranked over Djokovic. The rest is what I pretty much think as well. Some people are getting pure velocity confused with what's better. The guys on their lists with pure velocity got stomped when they tried to go forehand to forehand against Federer while Djokovic was holding his own as far back as 2007.

Djokovic has better FH than Sampras IMO. Far more steadier.

 

[NoleFam]

Djokovic has better FH than Sampras.

No but Sampras has a better forehand than Agassi. Most of the time Sampras bested Agassi in forehand to forehand rallies, and his running cross court forehand burned Agassi time after time.

 

[Deleted member 716271]

Even the knitting forum?

Yep, can't have them giving advice with needles involved

 

[Incognito]

No but Sampras has a better forehand than Agassi. Most of the time Sampras bested Agassi in forehand to forehand rallies, and his running cross court forehand burned Agassi time after time.

Sampras has a better FH than Agassi? Are you serious?

 

[Shank Volley]

Wawrinka forehand is second only to Federer in terms of aesthetics. Wawrinka has Fed's grace combined with more raw power. It looks like a punch more than a swing.
But Nole has the perfect forehand.

A punch is the perfect way to describe it, that's exactly what it looks like. A full blooded haymaker.

 

[NoleFam]

Sampras has a better FH than Agassi? Are you serious?

Yea without a doubt. You did watch a lot of their matches right? If not take a quick trip down memory lane on this highlight video. You can start watching at the 7:00 mark to get an idea of how lethal his running cross court forehand was and how much he bossed Agassi with it.

 

[abmk]

What did you think of my list? I didn’t rank them though.

good list. Only, I'd add Sampras.

 

[abmk]

No but Sampras has a better forehand than Agassi. Most of the time Sampras bested Agassi in forehand to forehand rallies, and his running cross court forehand burned Agassi time after time.

Agassi had the better FH. Sampras had the better movement.
and at the bold part,no, he didn't. its an illusion caused by watching some of those highlights.

if sampras had the better fh (obviously had the clearly better movement), Agassi would be toast vs him from the baseline (even with a clearly better bh) ...which he obviously wasn't. He had the edge from the baseline vs Sampras.

 

[Deon Sanders]

We have seen the two of them play at their absolute peaks

Wawrinka slayed him on all fronts

The problem is that Stanee Manee does not play at his peak often and it appears he cant play at all anymore

 

[NoleFam]

Agassi had the better FH. Sampras had the better movement.
and at the bold part,no, he didn't.

I'm totally not interested in a 4 page debate with you today on this. Sampras was a better athlete, not just a better mover and the consensus at that time was always that Sampras had the superior forehand. Just for reference, these are just two random lists that rank Sampras' forehand better. Sorry but the idea of Agassi being superior in the forehand department is in the minority.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles...-18-forehands-in-mens-tennis-2000-2010#slide7
http://www.tennisgrandstand.com/2017/02/15/the-greatest-forehands-in-tennis-history-ranked/

 

[captainbryce]

Sampras has a better FH than Agassi? Are you serious?

He did! As good as Agass’s forehand was, Agassi lost most of the forehand to forehand rallies against Sampras. Agassi’s forehand “looked better” aesthetically, but Sampras’s was better.

 

[HetTheGreaterer]

What about Kevn Andr?

You mean marn cilc~~!?

 

[abmk]

I'm totally not interested in a 4 page debate with you today on this. Sampras was a better athlete, not just a better mover and the consensus at that time was always that Sampras had the superior forehand. Just for reference, these are just two random lists that rank Sampras' forehand better. Sorry but the idea of Agassi being superior in the forehand department is in the minority.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles...-18-forehands-in-mens-tennis-2000-2010#slide7
http://www.tennisgrandstand.com/2017/02/15/the-greatest-forehands-in-tennis-history-ranked/

LOL, bleacherreport ?
That has Roddick FH ahead of AGassi's ...LOL !
And Monfils's FH ahead of Sampras ? Are you *****' kidding me ?
berdych at #4 ?

I don't think tennisgrandstand.com one is a reputed list either.

And no, Agassi's FH being better isn't in the "minority" (atleast not among those who've watched quite a bit of the 90s and remember properly instead of just the flashy points/highlights)

yeah, Sampras was the better athlete, but how is that relevant over what I had to say ? doesn't "better mover" cover what I had to say ?

 

[Clay lover]

Are we for reals? Stan's forehand while powerful can be hot or cold and if we take the whole career into consideration his wasn't even a weapon until his late explosion.

Djokovic's forehand has always been a great counterpunching tool ever since he emerged and it's a way more verstaile forehand than people give him credit for. He can absorb and redirect pace all day off that wing while maintaining just enough pace and depth to make it unattackable. He can actually hit with decent spin when he wants to but can flatten the ball or even go into beserk mode and blast a few flat ones in a row when he wants to. He is equally adept at hitting from and to all spots of the court unlike Nadal and Federer who actually possess way better forehands from the backhand corner and suffer a power drop when hitting crosscourt.

His forehand highs may be lower than Fedal's highs, but its consistency and versatility still make it a threat against everyone.

 

[NoleFam]

LOL, bleacherreport ?
That has Roddick FH ahead of AGassi's ...LOL !
And Monfils's FH ahead of Sampras ? Are you *****' kidding me ?
berdych at #4 ?

I don't think tennisgrandstand.com one is a reputed list either.

And no, Agassi's FH being better isn't in the "minority" (atleast not among those who've watched quite a bit of the 90s and remember properly instead of just the flashy points/highlights)

yeah, Sampras was the better athlete, but how is that relevant over what I had to say ? doesn't "better mover" cover what I had to say ?

The Bleacher Report list is from 2000-2010 so that clearly explains why their list is the way it is, whether you agree or not. Steve Flink, a sports journalist and historian who was elected into the tennis hall of fame, compiled the other list. Sorry but his list is much more reputable than yours or mine for that matter. Your idea of Agassi having a better forehand than Sampras is definitely in the minority as the majority of journalists and commentators think otherwise. Even the commentators in the video I posted say outright that Sampras' forehand is better.

 

[abmk]

The Bleacher Report list is from 2000-2010 so that clearly explains why their list is the way it is, whether you agree or not. Steve Flink, a sports journalist and historian who was elected into the tennis hall of fame, compiled the other list. Sorry but his list is much more reputable than yours or mine for that matter. Your idea of Agassi having a better forehand than Sampras is definitely in the minority as the majority of journalists and commentators think otherwise. Even the commentators in the video I posted say outright that Sampras' forehand is better.

From 2000-2010 , its even more hilarious to put Sampras' ahead of Agassi in terms of FH.
Sampras approached the net more in that time from 2000-02, his FH/BH both went down.
stop parroting that list as anything relevant. its not about agreeing or disagreeing. its just a blog list.

re : Flink's list, ok, fair enough. I don't agree with it, but atleast its from a known journalist. Just FYI, Flink was a pretty big Sampras fan, so I'm not sure that he was completely objective either while making that list.

1 list shows absolutely nothing.

re : about commentators in that video, at what stage in that video ? I haven't watched it.

 

[flanker2000fr]

Depends on the period.

On his way to becoming - and staying - number 1, Djokovic improved his FH behind any recognition, and it was second only to Fedal. At that time, clearly, it was better than Stan's.

Now, since he came back from his elbow surgery, and had to drop the SW of his racquet to manage his am, his FH is clearly not at the same level it was before. If there's one area of the game that has regressed since the injury layoff, it's the FH.

So now, I would probably put Stan's FH ahead. He seems to be able to do more damage than Djokovic, even if he is himself only recovering.

 

[TheFifthSet]

Nadal doesn’t produce the most winners even when he wins. With Nadal, what you probably need to do is count the Forced errors his forehand has caused the opponent.

Yes, this is elementary.

I am simply drawing attention to the small sample size.

(but his forehand was dreadful in that match)

 

[Tshooter]

Djokovic's is better but I'd take Wawrinka's. The set up and clean smack through the ball looks absolutely brutal in person. The thing of other player's nightmares.

The Stan FH finishing the point at 7:20 in...

 

[junior74]

That same tournament, Djokovic hit 23 FH winners to Nadal's 3. Does Djokovic have a better fh than Nadal now?

Nadal 15 is no standard. He was terrible, as in Finnish. And you left out the part where I explained why Djokovic has a better forehand.

 

[Shank Volley]

The Stan FH finishing the point at 7:20 in...

Ive watched that on repeat in the past. Just glorious hitting, and so casual. Guy is a tank plain and simple.

 

[papertank]

Peak Djokovic's forehand is only beaten by Nadal and Federer. It's extremely versatile and precise. Stan's is good but definitely a class below.

 

[TheFifthSet]

Nadal 15 is no standard. He was terrible, as in Finnish. And you left out the part where I explained why Djokovic has a better forehand.

You’re right, I misread the last part that I omitted (which I agree with)...my mistake.

 

[ReturnAndVolley]

It's like comparing their backhands. Stan needs more time to load and generates more power but Djokovic's is more reliable and consistent

 

[ReturnAndVolley]

Personally, I can think of at least a dozen forehands that I’d pick over his.

1- Federer
2- Del Potro
3- Nadal
4- González
5- Blake
6- Sampras
7- Agassi
8- Lendl
8- Soderling
10- Monfils
11- Kyrgios
12- Verdasco

"Monfils"
You really said Monfils

 

[captainbryce]

"Monfils"
You really said Monfils

Did you really, NOT???

 

[captainbryce]

It's like comparing their backhands. Stan needs more time to load and generates more power but Djokovic's is more reliable and consistent

But which would YOU rather have as a shot in your arsenal?

 

[ReturnAndVolley]

But which would YOU rather have as a shot in your arsenal?

Stan's because it does more damage. Djokovic has the advantage of being the better player overall

 

[BlackSilver]

Wawrinka on clay and Djokovic on HC. Simple like that.

 

[RS]

Peak Djokovic's forehand is only beaten by Nadal and Federer. It's extremely versatile and precise. Stan's is good but definitely a class below.

Del Po maybe? For offence but not defense. As for past eras Lendl had a amazing FH too.

 

[captainbryce]

Stan's because it does more damage. Djokovic has the advantage of being the better player overall

Exactly!

 

[Rafa's OCD]

I mean you give me a sitter at that height and I can smash a forehand over 100mph, too.

 

[Rafa's OCD]

Stan's because it does more damage. Djokovic has the advantage of being the better player overall

this. Stan is a bigger hitter, arguably from both wings, but lots of men's players hit bigger than Novak. I think Novak's FH is a great shot, but overall, if you were signing up for one, you'd want Stan's. that said, you're taking Novak's career over Sir Pocky.

 

[chjtennis]

Djokovic's, any time any day.

Just more consistent and versatile.

 

[True Fanerer]

Did you really, NOT???

LMAO at Djokovic.

0:51

 

[BlackSilver]

I would banish the user that mentioned Kyrgios and Monfils. And no I am not kidding.

The army of genuis are forgetting Wawrinka big superiority of on that wing. But this is TTW, you can expect much from nearly anyone

 

[Cabeza del Demonio]

Fedr

Spring

 

[hipolymer]

Forehand winners: Wawrinka
Running forehand: Djokovic
Cross-Court forehand: Djokovic
Inside-Out Forehand: Wawrinka
Rally forehand (average consistency): Djokovic

 

[BeatlesFan]

Djoker's FH all the way, at least since 2011. It's a much more consistent shot, he can change directions with it better than Stan, he hits it with greater depth and is able to hit with greater angles. No comparison for me, Novak wins this hands down.

 

[ONgame]

I think you can't go wrong with either one. If you are aggressive, you go with Stan's.

 

[Chanwan]

The Bleacher Report list is from 2000-2010 so that clearly explains why their list is the way it is, whether you agree or not. Steve Flink, a sports journalist and historian who was elected into the tennis hall of fame, compiled the other list. Sorry but his list is much more reputable than yours or mine for that matter. Your idea of Agassi having a better forehand than Sampras is definitely in the minority as the majority of journalists and commentators think otherwise. Even the commentators in the video I posted say outright that Sampras' forehand is better.

You do realize that pretty much anyone could post stuff on Bleacher Report right? (not sure how it works these days). It's not 'their' list. It's a random dude's list. Just like on TTW except with more words. @abmk

 

[Chanwan]

Thing is Novak and Agassi have very similar games but Novak is considered a better player. Both have top backhands. Why isn’t Djokovic’s forehand better than Agassi?

Have you compared Agassi’s court coverage to Novak’s? That’s why he’s won more and is considered the better player, plus he has better serve. FH to FH, Agassi’s was better.

This. You could add better serve too. And more clutch.

To the question:
I think it's funny to see two sides arguing that people are downright stupid if they pick X rather than Y here. I think there are plenty of good arguments for both of them.
Career, def. Novak. Stan's transformation from a top-15-30 player to Stanimal had a lot to do with a much improved forehand. That said, he hasn't got anything close to Novak's consistency day in and day out. But when he's on a roll in a tournament, I could lean towards him (and this is a peak question).

As per the Agassi comment above, what makes Novak's forehand look better (if it is) compared to Stan's is that he's a much better mover. He's in a better position to hit his forehands than Stan is. He can also take it earlier and defends better on the forehand side. So where Stan's better, is when he's in a good (enough) position to hit it. His forehand is a better kill shot. Does more damage at it's best (though Novak's plenty damaging too)
Does it make it better? Not sure. Is Rafa's, Fed's, Djoko's movement part of their forehand package? In a way it very much is. It's (part of) what allows them to hit forehands, that other people cannot.

All in all: Career or day to day: Def. Novak. Peak: More blurry, but there are arguments for Stan without sounding stupid. How else would he even compete with Novak, when Novak's backhand is at least on a similar level, his return, defence and movement are leagues above and their serves are pretty comparable (Stan's bigger, Novak's more precise).

 

[mikeeeee]

Why

Did you see the 2014 AO or 2015 FO???