forehand backswing issue

[TheGrandSlam]

Hey guys, I am new on this forum so I decided to post my first question.
I have been playing tennis for a couple of years now, and I feel I am constantly getting better and better. Actually, when I lose a match, I don't think it is a problem in my game, I rather think I just can't keep up with the guy physically (which is pretty sad).

As most players, I use my forehand as my best shot, constructing points and pouncing on anything short. However, I have encountered an issue. Because I've been watching a lot of professional tennis lately, I've started copying their backswings. I've tried many (Ferrer's jerky straight back-straight forward, Murray's bit more fluid yet much Ferrer like, Djokovic's loopy forehand, Nadal's crazy loop backswing and Federer's graceful forehand backswing). Now, I can't come up with my own backswing, so I copy them, and whenever I feel like I am not doing well, I change. I feel it is holding me down, and if I am going to be constantly changing my technique, I'll never reach my full potential. Currently, I am trying Fognini's backswing (it is a bit jerky like Ferrer.). I could use some advice on which of these players to copy, because I have no idea, and as I said, I can't invent my own backswing. Thanks for all the answers, I know is sounds like a silly question, but I can't sleep over it.

 

[LeeD]

Add John McEnroe and ErnestoGuilbus to your list.
Now you've seen every forehand takeback.
Go out on court, hit 100 forehand. Look at the way the ball goes off your racket, do NOT even think about your backswing.
Now, how does the ball go? Forget the backswing.

 

[LeeD]

On every stroke, the followthru is more important than the backswing.

 

[TheGrandSlam]

But is the backswing really of no importance?

 

[LeeD]

Didn't SAY it was of no importance.
Most important is grip and how the face tilts as it hits the ball.
Next might be swingpath onto ball.
3rd might be consistent and full followthru AFTER you hit the ball.
Swing speed and consistency of is next.
So, 5th most important is how you take the racket back for your backswing.

 

[TheGrandSlam]

And? What is your advice on that 5th most important thing? Which player do you think I should copy? I mean, if I was just to hit the ball, I would have no backswing at all.

 

[Spin Doctor]

You haven't tried Berdych or Tsonga. I think you should tackle the whole Top 10. Maybe that's why you can't sleep at night -- the sense that you have not taken a task to completion.

 

[TheGrandSlam]

Well I would still have 1000 players or so left...

 

[Spin Doctor]

Well I would still have 1000 players or so left...

There are 10 players in the Top 10. You've already completed 5. Don't quit now!!

 

[Maximagq]

Federer, Dimitrov, and Djokovic have the three most fluid forehands on the men's tour. I would personally recommend Djokovic's as a model.

 

[TheGrandSlam]

Not really. I've tried the whole top ten actually. I find almost every backswing suitable, (the only exception being Gulbis, that guy is crazy) and that bothers me most. Why can't all pros have the same backswing? Things would be a lot easier for me. I mean, if I choose to emulate one that for some reason isn't technically good, I am stuck with it for the rest of my "career".

 

[Maximagq]

Not really. I've tried the whole top ten actually. I find almost every backswing suitable, (the only exception being Gulbis, that guy is crazy) and that bothers me most. Why can't all pros have the same backswing? Things would be a lot easier for me. I mean, if I choose to emulate one that for some reason isn't technically good, I am stuck with it for the rest of my "career".

You could always evolve your technique. I started off with a western forehand grip when I was around 9 and then I switched to eastern to emulate Sampras until I was around 14. Then, I started going back to more of an extreme eastern like Federer until I got to a semiwestern like Djokovic.

 

[TheGrandSlam]

Does fluidity in the stroke play an important role?

 

[jrs]

I would suggest look at their warm up videos, when they are doing the strokes in slow motion, controlled fashion.
Also, copy someone who has the same grip you use, I found in trying to copy some players my grip eastern was causing me problems - so I'm trying to switch to a more semiwestern grip. I'm thinking Fognini's FH is best suited for me - so I'm using that as a starting point. Although, Agassi and Berdych also has a fluid type motion. I'm looking to hit a compact, fluid stroke.