Drop Shot Etiquette

[reaper]

Is there a new convention I don't know about? Three times today I saw players (Zverev against Murray, Groth in his match, and now Istomin against Tomic) chase down a really bad drop shot by their opponent (IE one that is high and lands just short of the service line) and instead of cranking the ball for a winner they play a ridiculous little dink in response. On each occasion they reached the ball at around the service line at about the height of the net on their forehand side. A ten year old should know that you play a hard offensive shot to try and finish the point. It's bizarre, because it's not just today. This has been going on for about 5 years. The point goes like this: Player A hits bad drop shot then moves forward to around mid court. Player B runs forward and hits a dink. Player A could just hit it into the open court for a winner, but instead hits a deft lob because their opponent has moved forward. Player B chases down the lob and instead of hitting an orthodox shot then plays a low percentage "tweener" and usually misses the shot. If that shot goes in then player A who could just volley it into the open court, then hits another drop shot...etc. it doesn't matter how big the point is either..it could be set or match point. is there some etiquette in the game, that once a bad drop shot is played the point turns into hit and giggle social tennis?

 

[NoZak Djokovic]

Maybe it just turns out that all tennis professionals have no brain?

 

[Kalin]

Rafa did the same vs Verdasco and lost the point.

 

[Tennis_Hands]

They are just are panicking at the net.

However, one guy is not always panicking (5:26 onwards):

 

[heninfan99]

Drop shotting a drop shot can be a good play but some non-Federesque players get too cute.
Nishi did this vs. Kohls too. He tried to do a federeresque delicate angle off a dropper and failed.

 

[xan]

don't forget it's also important to have fun out there on the tennis court. maybe they just appreciate the opportunity to play a silly shot they don't usually get the chance to play and just go for it?

 

[BHud]

Is there a new convention I don't know about? A ten year old should know that you play a hard offensive shot to try and finish the point.

Unless of course your opponent is still standing 10 feet behind the baseline...

 

[jrs]

Hitting a drop shot off a drop shot is good play. It ensures you have another shot as you are in position to cover the next shot.

 

[reaper]

Djokovic just did this on game point at 3-2 in the 4th set. Could have put a backhand volley anywhere after a drop shot...goes for the obligatory lob which Simon smashes away.

 

[reaper]

At 0-30 on serve Murray does the drop shot then lob, when a simple pass would have done. Tomic's tweener attempt superfluous as the lob just flies long. Murray serve broken a point later.