Greatest Shots in Tennis History

[laurie]

Lets monitor Tennis Magazine's feature in this thread. They concentrate on the serve in the first part. I'm sure you opiniated people here will have a word or two to say about their choices:

http://www.tennis.com/features/greatestshots/greatestshots.aspx?id=108744

Greatest Shots in Tennis History


The Serve: Pete Sampras


What are the greatest shots in tennis history? We pick out the game’s most fearsome weapons stroke by stroke, concentrating on the Open Era (since 1968).

By Joel Drucker

Part I: The Serve

Final Pick
Pete Sampras

Shortlist
Pete Sampras
Goran Ivanisevic
Pancho Gonzalez
Roscoe Tanner
John McEnroe
John Newcombe
Jack Kramer
Ellsworth Vines
Bill Tilden

Venus Williams
Steffi Graf
Serena Williams
Brenda Schultz-McCarthy
Martina Navratilova
Margaret Court
Althea Gibson

Contemporary Picks
Ivo Karlovic
John Isner
Andy Roddick

The Pete Sampras serve. Deadly, fast, accurate, versatile – the leading weapon that opened up a superb arsenal. And best of all, reliable.
Recreational players rarely ace one another, so there is a tendency to discount the profound impact of an ace. But to be a pro on Andre Agassi’s level and find yourself unable to even touch the ball on a big point – that is exceptionally demoralizing. As Sampras once said, “I love getting out there and stepping on the gas.” Let others open the match with a few groundstrokes. Sampras favored the 126 mph ace straight down the T – a lead-off home run that let the opponent know it was only the start of a relentless assault. His second serve was also the most feared on the circuit, so opponents had little respite even when he missed his first delivery.

Certainly there have been other serves rivaling Sampras. Though they couldn’t back it up as effectively, southpaws like Goran Ivanisevic and Roscoe Tanner could strike every corner. Though he couldn’t hit it as hard, John McEnroe’s lefty delivery was terrifying.

Other champions such as John Newcombe, Pancho Gonzales and Jack Kramer were powerful and accurate too, particularly when the chips were down. Way back in the early ‘30s, there was Ellsworth Vines, a man whose motion was quite similar to Sampras’. And one of Bill Tilden’s many strengths was a first-rate serve.

Recently, a new breed of giants like Ivo Karlovic and John Isner have begun carving their own legends with this stroke – though not with much else. Andy Roddick's record-setting delivery is the current bar at the top of the men's game.

But with apologies to all, none consistently sent down such high-quality serves as Sampras. Bless the hearts of Vines and Tilden, but they were often playing the club president in the first round and Biff from Yale in the second. Well into the ‘80s, most backhand returns were chipped rather than ripped. For all the talk about power serves over the last two decades, it turned out to be the service return that revolutionized the court, everything from the two-handed backhand to slower courts and heavier balls tipping the odds more in the receiver’s direction.

Little of that fazed Sampras. Under the guidance of his coach, Pete Fischer, he built an exemplary motion, a fully-coordinated lucid blend of legs, hips, shoulders and arms that was magnificently relaxed, well-disguised and powerful. No one nicked more corners with a serve than Sampras. Given all his accomplishments, the Sampras serve might well be the most single devastating shot in tennis history.

Joel Drucker is a contributing editor at TENNIS magazine. The author is grateful for the assistance of many experts and former pros, including Brent Abel, John Barrett, Steve Flink, Mary Carillo, Trey Waltke, Chris Lewis, John Newcombe, Owen Davidson, Fred Stolle and Brian Gottfried.

 

[FedForGOAT]

If you're talking about service games that would make more sense. Sampras was the best at backing up his serve. But just the serve, I have to disagree. If you talk about just the serve, then the way one backs it up is irrelevent. Goran Ivanisevic, a contemporary of Sampras' served 1477 aces in a season. that's 466 higher than Sampras' highest season. Sampras wasn't even the best server in his era! and the argument that Sampras had a better 2nd serve doesn't work, because Goran had more 1st serve aces than Sampras had from both his serves.

Ellsworth Vines hit 30 aces in 12 sevice games. Pancho Gonzalez and Bill Tilden are other great choices. choices

 

[avmoghe]

Agreed with FedForGOAT.

Sampras serve is not the single best serve in tennis history - that would be Ivanisevic.

The simple litmus test for determining which player was the greatest server is to measure the number of aces and unreturned serves. There is no comparison here... Ivanisevic is the clear winner.

Another way of putting this is that if a player is put into a match where the only stroke they could hit was the serve (no other shots allowed to be hit, who would fare better? Ivanisevic is again the winner.

Sampras is the greatest serve-holder I believe.... and perhaps if you only looked at second serve numbers, he may beat Ivanisevic.

But overall, if we consider the "serve" as one stroke... Ivanisevic is the winner.


EDIT: Even the writer agrees with this if I'm reading this correctly ... (Ivanisevic is not mentioned after this quote)

Certainly there have been other serves rivaling Sampras. Though they couldn’t back it up as effectively, southpaws like Goran Ivanisevic and Roscoe Tanner could strike every corner. Though he couldn’t hit it as hard, John McEnroe’s lefty delivery was terrifying.

So, he took into consideration how players "back it up".... So, in effect.. he is not claiming that the Sampras serve is the greatest in tennis history.

 

[tzinc]

Wow all that research and they BLEW IT. The correct answer is Ivanisevic!

 

[Nickognito]

Maybe Karlovic. Todd Martin recently said that Karlovic's serve is better than Sampras or Ivanisevic's.

Statistics tell us that Karlovic helds his serve more frequently that Sampras and Ivanisevic but tennis is chenged since then.

c.

 

[Tshooter]

I've only been watching live as far back as Rosewall. So I can't comment on players such as Vines.
But I think Sampras had the best serve + 2nd stroke. Like the other poster said, you have to include his backup. But as for just the serve. Have you folks seen Karlovic -- live?
It's crazy good. You can't really appreciate the angle Karlovic can get unless you see it courtside. It's ridiculous. And it's tougher to return than Sampras'
I think if you check the serving stats, Karlovic will also win.
Also, not one of those "experts" ever faced Karlovics serve.

PS, Walke had a really nice looking slice backhand.

 

[FedForGOAT]

I've only been watching live as far back as Rosewall. So I can't comment on players such as Vines.
But I think Sampras had the best serve + 2nd stroke. Like the other poster said, you have to include his backup. But as for just the serve. Have you folks seen Karlovic -- live?
It's crazy good. You can't really appreciate the angle Karlovic can get unless you see it courtside. It's ridiculous. And it's tougher to return than Sampras'
I think if you check the serving stats, Karlovic will also win.
Also, not one of those "experts" ever faced Karlovics serve.

PS, Walke had a really nice looking slice backhand.

I agree. Karlovic will soon replace Ivanisevic as the best open era server.

 

[avmoghe]

I've only been watching live as far back as Rosewall. So I can't comment on players such as Vines.
But I think Sampras had the best serve + 2nd stroke. Like the other poster said, you have to include his backup. But as for just the serve. Have you folks seen Karlovic -- live?
It's crazy good. You can't really appreciate the angle Karlovic can get unless you see it courtside. It's ridiculous. And it's tougher to return than Sampras'
I think if you check the serving stats, Karlovic will also win.
Also, not one of those "experts" ever faced Karlovics serve.

PS, Walke had a really nice looking slice backhand.

Hm... I've heard much about Karlovic but never seen him in full fury I suppose.

I'm not sure where we could get numbers from... but it would be nice to see Ivanisevic vs Karlovic in the (Aces + Service Winners) total category over the span of say.. a year. From what I know Ivanisevic's record of most aces still stands today... not sure if anyone keeps track of service winners.

Could someone familiar with the past champions educate me here? This fellow seems to be claiming that Newcombe, Tilden, Kramer etc.... belong on the "shortlist".. but someone like Krajicek or Rusedski doesn't?

Was the serve as devastating a weapon back then as it is today? What were the approximate (Ace + Service Winner) totals per match at that time? I'm having a hard time believing that these old greats with wooden rackets and both their feet on the ground (they weren't allowed to jump IIRC) produced more devastating serves than Krajicek....

Todd Martin recently said that Karlovic's serve is better than Sampras or Ivanisevic's.

Could I have the source please? Thanks

 

[urban]

One serve missing is that of Neale Fraser, probably the best lefthander serve of all time. Hoad rated it higher than the Gonzales serve.

 

[CGMemphis]

Ivanisevic, killer, out right. I remember watching some matches with my dad back in Gorans heyday and we both were speechless at the pop and the aces this guy was dealing out.

Sampras wins undoubtedly for service game though. He lets that ****-armed follow through carry him to the net like no other, was/is the best at the split step and punch.

 

[lambielspins]

I thought it was a good article. Thanks for posting it. I agree with it overall.

 

[iamke55]

Servers of the 90s had their ability inflated by the extremely fast conditions of the era. Ivo Karlovic and John Isner are clearly far better servers than anyone of the previous era, seeing as how they get similar, sometimes even better numbers in a tennis era with slower courts and slower balls.

 

[noeledmonds]

One of the reasons that Karlovic has such great serving statistics is that he rarely progreses far enough in tournaments to face great returners. Until recently Karlovic had a best ranking outsied the ATP top 50 in the world. The calibre of oponent he regularly faced would be no where near the calibre of oponent that Sampras consistantly faced during the 1990s. Karlovic does undoutably have a great serve but it is ultimately not good enough to win him many big matches and he does not have the ability to produce big serves under pressure like players like Sampras are able to.

We pick out the game’s most fearsome weapons stroke by stroke, concentrating on the Open Era

If this is meant to concentrate on the open-era then why are 4 of the 9 male players selected people who never performed during the open-era?

 

[laurie]

Good spot Mr Edmonds, Tennis magazine have contracdicted themselves.

 

[noeledmonds]

I notice the part II has now come out. The catergory is "return of serve" and the list is as follows.

Final Pick
Jimmy Connors

Shortlist
Andre Agassi
Lleyton Hewitt
Roger Federer

Monica Seles
Lindsay Davenport

Contemporary Picks
Roger Federer
Rafael Nadal
Lleyton Hewitt
David Ferrer
David Nalbandian
Jonas Bjorkman
Marat Safin

Lindsay Davenport
Serena Williams

I have had a Connors vs. Agassi service return debate many times so I will not comment on this here. Let it be suffice to say that I am disapointed to see Agassi's return ranked below Connors'. Perhaps if Connors had face the majority of career playing regularly against 2 of the finest servers, in the form of Sampras (winner of Part I) and Ivanisivicic (shortlist for Part I and people's choice based on above debate) and not just McEnroe (shortlise for Part I) relatively late in his career after Connors had won most of his grand slams, then his return would be considered less deadly.

 

[laurie]

Here's the full thing

The Return of Serve: Jimmy Connors

http://www.tennis.com/features/greatestshots/greatestshots.aspx?id=108748

What are the greatest shots in tennis history? We pick out the game’s most fearsome weapons stroke by stroke, concentrating on the Open Era (since 1968).

By Joel Drucker

Part II: The Return of Serve


Final Pick
Jimmy Connors

Shortlist
Andre Agassi
Lleyton Hewitt
Roger Federer

Monica Seles
Lindsay Davenport

Contemporary Picks
Roger Federer
Rafael Nadal
Lleyton Hewitt
David Ferrer
David Nalbandian
Jonas Bjorkman
Marat Safin

Lindsay Davenport
Serena Williams
— TENNIS.com

Lest the server think holding the balls and stepping up to serve is the best way to take control of a point, imagine serving to Monica Seles. Tempting as it is to call her double-handed return risky, ramming hard, deep, forceful returns was second nature to her. Rarely content to merely get the ball in play, Seles instead treated a great many serves as short balls. After all, the serve was bouncing short of the service line, so why not pounce on it? That mindset makes Seles owner of one of the game's finest returns of serve.

But even in relative terms, there have been far more big servers in the men’s game. So how to evaluate the best returners? Andre Agassi could punish a weak second serve off both sides like no other man. In today’s game, Lleyton Hewitt and Roger Federer are excellent at spitting rough deliveries back. But then again, these two know they are rarely playing the kind of volleyers who can take advantage of floating returns.

And so the award for best return goes to Jimmy Connors. He had built his game around the counterattack, on flinging back the aggression of netrushers – and doing so on fast surfaces. Connors not only denied tons of aces, he shot the ball back like a laser often for a winner and just about always down low in ways that would make life quite tough for the netrushers of his day. If not as punishing in commencing a baseline rally as Agassi, Connors’ spitback rate was significantly higher. What also made Connors’ return intimidating was the threat of forward movement. An incoming netrusher would know that once Connors got the return down, he was likely charging forward, possibly to take the first volley out of the air or step in and drill a passing shot. The doubt planted by Connors’ insistent opportunism only made it that much more dreadful to serve to him.

Joel Drucker is a contributing editor at TENNIS magazine. The author is grateful for the assistance of many experts and former pros, including Brent Abel, John Barrett, Steve Flink, Mary Carillo, Trey Waltke, Chris Lewis, John Newcombe, Owen Davidson, Fred Stolle and Brian Gottfried.

 

[A.Davidson]

I would agree that Ivanisevic had the better 1st serve (the 2nd is far more of an argument for Sampras), but Sampras always backed his serve up more with a more dominating game.

For that reason, I would put Sampras as the "better" server - because it led into a much more versatile and lethal arsenal.

 

[superman1]

It is surprising that they'd put Sampras as the greatest server, but not choose the returner that Sampras called the best returner of his serve.

 

[Polaris]

It is no surprise that they picked Sampras's serve as the best. That choice makes sense overall.

What does not make sense is that Joel Drucker describes Sampras's serve motion as lucid. That is a stupid statement. Goran's serve was lucid. Stich's serve was lucid. Roger's serve is lucid. Sampras's was not at all lucid.

 

[Tshooter]

"The calibre of oponent he regularly faced would be no where near the calibre of oponent that Sampras consistantly faced during the 1990s. "

That's a good point. Karlovic still doesn't progress that far in most GS or master level tournaments so Ivanesevic and Sampras would have faced generally tougher returners.

 

[FedForGOAT]

Karlovic has served around 1,300 aces without advancing deep into tournaments. He serves far more aces per serves than either Sampras or Ivanisevic.

 

[laurie]

Now the Forehand

The Forehand: Roger Federer


What are the greatest shots in tennis history? We pick out the game’s most fearsome weapons stroke by stroke, concentrating on the Open Era (since 1968).

By Joel Drucker

Part III: The Forehand



Final Pick
Roger Federer

Shortlist
Roger Federer
Pete Sampras
Ivan Lendl
Andre Agassi
John Newcombe
Jack Kramer
Fred Perry

Steffi Graf



Contemporary Picks
Roger Federer
Rafael Nadal
Andy Roddick
Fernando Gonzalez

Justine Henin
Ana Ivanovic
Sania Mirza
— TENNIS.com

Next to the serve, no shot is more terminal than the forehand – i.e., no single shot is best-poised to end a point more emphatically than a forehand. With increasing frequency since the days of Ivan Lendl, the big forehand has replaced the first volley as a primary offensive shot.

And no one has done more to demonstrate everything you’d ever want in a forehand than Roger Federer. In one sense, his forehand is utterly 21st century. Taking full advantage of his string mix of Luxilon and gut, Federer’s drive is lively, heavy, deep and just about always struck on his terms.

When pressed in a baseline rally, he can roll the ball with enough topspin for margin – and attain impressive depth. Should an opponent dare come to net against Federer’s forehand, his preparation is so good it seems that he always has the widest possible range of options. And at the other end, lay one in short – and the point is over, Federer able to flatten it out, or lace it with topspin, the ball exceptionally heavy and often unreturnable. Though perfectly content to drive his share of backhands, he is wise at using his backhand – such as when he slices it and forces opponents into awkward positions – to set up his forehand.
But as contemporary as Federer’s forehand is, it’s also a remarkable amalgamation of many great forehands from prior years – from the powerful topspin of Andre Agassi to the crackling penetration of Pete Sampras, or back to the forceful discipline of John Newcombe, the opportunism of Jack Kramer and even the flexibility of Fred Perry.

Able to change his grip to adjust with bounces – even when forced able to slice the old-school squash shot with underspin – Federer’s mechanics are at once austere and elegant. His head is always balanced, his eyes tracking the ball keenly, his feet rarely out of position. As any recreational player knows, the forehand’s very range of options make it easy to become lax. Never is this the case with Federer.

The best women's forehand surely belonged to Steffi Graf – often terminal like Federer, usually struck with offense in mind and quite adept at whipping boldly from comprised court positions.

Joel Drucker is a contributing editor at TENNIS magazine. The author is grateful for the assistance of many experts and former pros, including Brent Abel, John Barrett, Steve Flink, Mary Carillo, Trey Waltke, Chris Lewis, John Newcombe, Owen Davidson, Fred Stolle and Brian Gottfried.

 

[lambielspins]

I am going to take my guesses for the remaining categories:

Backhand: Chris Evert
Backhand: Ken Rosewall
Volley: Martina Navratilova
Volley: John McEnroe
Overhead (if they do it): Venus Williams
Overhead (if they do it): Pete Sampras

 

[noeledmonds]

I can pretty much agree with the forehand assessment. I still don't really understand the way that Tennis magazine are lumping a few pre-open era players on their shortlist without really paying them any attention. However Federer does certainly have a strong argument for the best forehand ever.

It will be interesting to see who wins the backhand. I suspect to see a short list of something like Rosewall, Budge, Vilas, Kuerten, Connors, Laver, Agassi and perhaps Edberg. Contempery picks of Federer, Safin and Gasquet. I suspect that the overall winner will be either Connors, Kuerten or Agassi. I personally think that the winner should be either Vilas, Laver or Budge but I don't think tennis magazine would make their winner a player to play pre open-era tennis or a less well known player such as Vilas.

 

[laurie]

The Backhand: Ken Rosewall


What are the greatest shots in tennis history? We pick out the game’s most fearsome weapons stroke by stroke, concentrating on the Open Era (since 1968).

By Joel Drucker

Part IV: The Backhand



Final Pick
Ken Rosewall

Shortlist
Ken Rosewall
Rod Laver
Jimmy Connors
Andre Agassi
Tony Trabert
Don Budge
Bill Tilden

Chris Evert
Evonne Goolagong
Gabriela Sabatini
Justine Henin
Serena Williams
Martina Hingis



Contemporary Picks
Roger Federer
David Nalbandian
Richard Gasquet
Mikhail Youzhny
Andrei Pavel
Gustavo Kuerten
Gaston Gaudio
Marat Safin

Justine Henin
Serena Williams
Venus Williams
Jelena Jankovic

Dare not impose the same demands on the backhand as a forehand. A forehand can end a point, but a backhand is almost always less about closure and more about creation.
Say hello to the diminutive man dubbed “Muscles,” Australian legend Ken Rosewall. His was a backhand of incomparable elegance and precision. The contemporary rap on Rosewall’s backhand is that it was a slice, lacking the dipping topspin of his rival Rod Laver or the penetrating flatness of Jimmy Connors’ superb drive.

But Rosewall’s backhand was no cut, no chop, no drifting hack like the kind we see at parks and clubs all over the world. His racket face was opened barely a scintilla, giving him just enough safety and, worst of all for his opponents, an extraordinary degree of bite and accuracy. So keenly prepared was Rosewall that against the game’s biggest servers he was able to let the ball come well into his hitting zone and then lash the ball sharply enough to compromise both netrushers and baseliners. Most deadly of all, in the true spirit of what a backhand should do, Rosewall used the shot with transitional genius, knowing that if did his job well, he could smoothly glide forward and further control the point.

A superb counterpuncher, Rosewall deployed his backhand with variety, spreading out his opponents with deadly lobs and pinpoint drop shots. Connors too had command of these shots, but in talking with dozens of players who competed against each, the general thinking is that while Rosewall’s drive was not as hard as Connors’, his diversity was exceptional.

Other honorable mentions go to the laser-like simplicity of Andre Agassi and Lindsay Davenport; and, of course, the unteachable élan of Justine Henin.

Joel Drucker is a contributing editor at TENNIS magazine. The author is grateful for the assistance of many experts and former pros, including Brent Abel, John Barrett, Steve Flink, Mary Carillo, Trey Waltke, Chris Lewis, John Newcombe, Owen Davidson, Fred Stolle and Brian Gottfried.

 

[laurie]

By Joel Drucker

Part V: The Forehand Volley



Final Pick
John Newcombe

Shortlist
John Newcombe
Stefan Edberg
John McEnroe
Pat Cash
Tim Henman
Patrick Rafter
Boris Becker
Michael Stich
Jack Kramer
Budge Patty
Lew Hoad
Bill Tilden

Margaret Court
Martina Navratilova
Jana Novotna
Natasha Zvereva


Today's Best
Roger Federer
Fabrice Santoro

Amelie Mauresmo
Justine Henin
Venus Williams
Ana Ivanovic
—TENNIS.com

The annals of tennis are peppered with so many great backhand volleys, hunting for the best is like walking into a rich body of water. Seeking the best forehand volley, however, is akin to entering the desert. While many have struck this shot quite skillfully, the forehand volley’s deceptive technical difficulty makes it hard for many supreme practitioners to emerge.

During tennis’ first few decades, it hardly existed given the dominance of baseline play. Then came the onset of netrushing, with two Southern Californians bringing the forehand volley to the forefront of the sport. Jack Kramer's "big game" poineered the serve-and-volley style, his forehand volley sharply placed into one corner after another. But it’s tough to call Kramer’s the best ever when he played no more than half a dozen familiar opponents annually during the last seven years of his career – and mostly on fast surfaces to boot. Kramer’s contemporary, Budge Patty, the 1950 Wimbledon champ still able to deliver an able demonstration of his technique at age 80, made it seem as simple as turning a key into a lock. Simple, but not easy –forehand volley is prone to all sort of awkward fine motor and lazy gross motor movements.

More recently, Tim Henman played this shot with exceptional skill, an effort even more impressive given his lack of a forceful serve and the sheer power of contemporary service returns. But never did this fine shot help the Brit reach a single Slam final.
And so, once again, as is often the case in matters of the forecourt, we head Down Under to the Aussies. Australian Hall of Famer Fred Stolle speaks frequently of how Australians are taught how to use their shoulders far more effectively than Americans. John Newcombe, Patrick Rafter and Tony Roche – who served as both Newcombe's doubles partner and Rafter's coach at various times – are all considered to have possessed fine forehand volleys, albeit each struck quite idiosyncratically – from Newcombe’s forthright swing to Rafter’s muscled punch to Roche’s ability to swing the racket up and through the ball.

After much huddling and research, Newcombe emeges as the final choice. Granted, his way to the net was often paved by a thundering serve, but time after time, he was able to strike this shot effectively. On low balls, he was supremely disciplined, using his legs to thrust into the ball and attain significant penetration. On high balls – the benign, seemingly easy volley so many players at all levels can miss – he was ruthless. Though he did in fact swing more than is commonly taught, the underpinning of Newcombe’s savage forehand volley was the way he commanded his entire body.

Joel Drucker is a contributing editor at TENNIS magazine. The author is grateful for the assistance of many experts and former pros, including Brent Abel, John Barrett, Steve Flink, Mary Carillo, Trey Waltke, Chris Lewis, John Newcombe, Owen Davidson, Fred Stolle and Brian Gottfried.

 

[Jack Romeo]

why are mirza and ivanovic in the list for forehands? davenport, pierce and capriati, as well as kuznetsova and clijsters are more obvious choices.

 

[Jack Romeo]

i also think pete sampras' forehand volley should have been on the list.

 

[downdaline]

^^^ Yeah i think pete's forehand volley should be there too. Simply bcos it was a textbook forehand volley.

Unfortunately, it seems the criteria for making one the Greatest Shots in Tennis History is that you got to add something to the shot. Pete didnt add anything special to his forehand volley, but it was still almost technically perfect.

 

[FedForGOAT]

I think that the magazines choosing also has to do with how great the player is overall. That's why Sampras' serve was chosen over Ivanisevic's, and that's the reason they said henman's wasn't chosen.

I think it should have been McEnroe's. I loved his lefty volley.

 

[laurie]

Part VI: The Backhand Volley

Final Pick
Martina Navratilova

Shortlist
Martina Navratilova
Billie Jean King
Jana Novotna
Margaret Court
Evonne Goolagong Cawley
Gigi Fernandez

Stefan Edberg
John McEnroe
Tony Roche
Pete Sampras
Vitas Gerulatis
Ken Rosewall

Today's Best
Roger Federer
Jonas Bjorkman
Richard Gasquet

Justine Henin
Amelie Mauresmo
Lisa Raymond

It’s cruel that this shot is so much easier to hit than the forehand volley, thanks largely to the instant shoulder-body turn that puts the pieces in place so efficiently. From Ken Rosewall and Billie Jean King to Martina Navratilova and Stefan Edberg, tennis history is filled with tales of exceptional backhand volleys. Viewed in singular focus, it’s one of the most pleasing shots to photograph, as tidy as a man walking out of a barber’s chair – and an exceptional showcase of athleticism and even artistry.
Because the backhand volley is often about knifing and angling the ball, it’s very much the province of lefthanders. John McEnroe, Rod Laver and, most notably, Tony Roche were all southpaws who struck this shot marvelously – often aided by the swinging ad court serve made it 80-percent likely they’d have to crisply angle a backhand volley.

So it’s fitting that the person whose backhand volley was most eternally forceful and crisp was the lefthanded Navratilova. Much like the great Roche, her backhand volley was, yes, knife-like – but in the powerful and versatile manner of a Swiss Army knife. There was virtually nothing Navratilova couldn't do with this shot, from handling pace to knocking off sharp first volleys, lunging after passing shots or flicking away that most difficult of shots, the backhand overhead. Even near age 50, competing against players more than half her age, Navratilova was able to nimbly blunt pace and direct the ball into the right place. Her solid hands, though, were as much driven by solid legs and body movement. There was never anything flimsy about the Navratilova backhand volley. Her wrist firmly locked, shoulder turned compact, no other shot contributed more to her massive legacy.

Joel Drucker is a contributing editor at TENNIS magazine. The author is grateful for the assistance of many experts and former pros, including Brent Abel, John Barrett, Steve Flink, Mary Carillo, Trey Waltke, Chris Lewis, John Newcombe, Owen Davidson, Fred Stolle and Brian Gottfried.

 

[helloworld]

Part VI: The Backhand Volley

Final Pick
Martina Navratilova

Shortlist
Martina Navratilova
Billie Jean King
Jana Novotna
Margaret Court
Evonne Goolagong Cawley
Gigi Fernandez

Stefan Edberg
John McEnroe
Tony Roche
Pete Sampras
Vitas Gerulatis
Ken Rosewall

Today's Best
Roger Federer
Jonas Bjorkman
Richard Gasquet

Justine Henin
Amelie Mauresmo
Lisa Raymond

It’s cruel that this shot is so much easier to hit than the forehand volley, thanks largely to the instant shoulder-body turn that puts the pieces in place so efficiently. From Ken Rosewall and Billie Jean King to Martina Navratilova and Stefan Edberg, tennis history is filled with tales of exceptional backhand volleys. Viewed in singular focus, it’s one of the most pleasing shots to photograph, as tidy as a man walking out of a barber’s chair – and an exceptional showcase of athleticism and even artistry.
Because the backhand volley is often about knifing and angling the ball, it’s very much the province of lefthanders. John McEnroe, Rod Laver and, most notably, Tony Roche were all southpaws who struck this shot marvelously – often aided by the swinging ad court serve made it 80-percent likely they’d have to crisply angle a backhand volley.

So it’s fitting that the person whose backhand volley was most eternally forceful and crisp was the lefthanded Navratilova. Much like the great Roche, her backhand volley was, yes, knife-like – but in the powerful and versatile manner of a Swiss Army knife. There was virtually nothing Navratilova couldn't do with this shot, from handling pace to knocking off sharp first volleys, lunging after passing shots or flicking away that most difficult of shots, the backhand overhead. Even near age 50, competing against players more than half her age, Navratilova was able to nimbly blunt pace and direct the ball into the right place. Her solid hands, though, were as much driven by solid legs and body movement. There was never anything flimsy about the Navratilova backhand volley. Her wrist firmly locked, shoulder turned compact, no other shot contributed more to her massive legacy.

Joel Drucker is a contributing editor at TENNIS magazine. The author is grateful for the assistance of many experts and former pros, including Brent Abel, John Barrett, Steve Flink, Mary Carillo, Trey Waltke, Chris Lewis, John Newcombe, Owen Davidson, Fred Stolle and Brian Gottfried.

This choice looks like something to please the women cercuit since other categories were taken by men. Martina has a great backhand volley though(for a woman), but we all know even Bupathi can volley better than her.

 

[helloworld]

I think that the magazines choosing also has to do with how great the player is overall. That's why Sampras' serve was chosen over Ivanisevic's, and that's the reason they said henman's wasn't chosen.

I think it should have been McEnroe's. I loved his lefty volley.

I don't think Ivanisevic has better serve than Sampras. His second serve was a disaster. Even Roger Federer has a better second serve than him. First serve alone doesn't make you the best server ever.

 

[laurie]

Never heard of this guy -

The Overhead: Chuck McKinley


What are the greatest shots in tennis history? We pick out the game’s most fearsome weapons stroke by stroke, concentrating on the Open Era (since 1968).

By Joel Drucker

Part VII: The Overhead



Final Pick
Chuck McKinley

Shortlist
Pete Sampras
Lew Hoad
Greg Rusedski
Richard Krajicek
Mark Philippoussis
Yannick Noah
John McEnroe
John Newcombe
Illie Nastase
Stan Smith
Dick Stockton
Jeff Borowiak

Billie Jean King
Martina Navratilova
Steffi Graf
Justine Henin
— TENNIS.com

A tough pick. Today’s players come to net so rarely and strike passing shots so well that it’s rare to see players forced to play too many overheads. Yet it was even more rare to see Pete Sampras miss a smash. His was accurate, thundering and rarely failed to end a point.
In the netrushing prime of 1946-‘80, it was impossible for a player to even be on the tour without owning a fine smash. Among Americans alone, Jack Kramer, Pancho Gonzales, Tony Trabert, Chuck McKinley, Stan Smith and John McEnroe were all adept at rapidly getting into position and obliterating lobs that came their way. McEnroe was exceptionally quick. Trabert and Smith were quite powerful – each able to bounce backhand overheads over the fence. Finding an Australian without a good overhead is as rare as finding one who has never had a beer (though, curiously, Rod Laver’s smash was not considered quite as supreme as the rest of his game). Others who many lobbed at their own peril were Dick Stockton and Jeff Borowiak.

But the one with cult-like appreciation belongs to 1963 Wimbledon champion and Hall of Famer McKinley. He stood just a mere 5’ 9”, but to be a champ in his era McKinley knew he’d have to come to net and work very hard on his overhead. He did, learning to jump up in the air to field any but the very best lobs. And as for the weak lobs, he was savage, taking particular delight in bludgeoning them with all his might – a dangerous occasion for any doubles opponent in his way.

Joel Drucker is a contributing editor at TENNIS magazine. The author is grateful for the assistance of many experts and former pros, including Brent Abel, John Barrett, Steve Flink, Mary Carillo, Trey Waltke, Chris Lewis, John Newcombe, Owen Davidson, Fred Stolle and Brian Gottfried.

 

[federerfanatic]

I dont like at all how they are putting men and women together and the women get slighted with only 1 pick of their own. They should do a choice for both genders. You cant directly compare men and women.

 

[helloworld]

I dont like at all how they are putting men and women together and the women get slighted with only 1 pick of their own. They should do a choice for both genders. You cant directly compare men and women.

Yeah, it does look silly when you put men and women together. Chris Evert obviously had one of the best backhand in women's tour, but it's just silly when you put her name next to other men... Steffi Graf should have the best forehand ever, but again next to Federer, her forehand just cannot compare...

 

[joesixtoe]

john isner and doctor ivo are big tall guys. of course their serve is going to be pretty good. think about when you play, and think of the net being 7-8 inches shorter, and tell me how much better your serve would be, plus your oppenent being 7-8 inches shorter. pete's serve was great and prob the best ever, and one to emulate. but look at guys like I might get this wrong, but umm johanson, the shorter one who is 5'11. i believe he hits a huge serve, yet he is small compared to the others.

 

[laurie]

Movement: Roger Federer


What are the greatest shots in tennis history? We pick out the game’s most fearsome weapons stroke by stroke, concentrating on the Open Era (since 1968).

By Joel Drucker



Part X: Movement

Final Pick
Roger Federer

SPEED

Final Pick
Venus Williams

Shortlist
Venus Williams
Steffi Graf
Serena Williams
Kim Clijsters
Arantxa Sanchez Vicario

Rafael Nadal
Bjorn Borg
Vitas Gerulaitis
Michael Chang
Lleyton Hewitt
Sergi Bruguera
Johan Kriek

Today's Best
Rafael Nadal
Nikolay Davydenko
David Ferrer
James Blake
Lleyton Hewitt
Sebastien Grosjean
Arnaud Clement
Gael Monfils
Olivier Rochus

Justine Henin
Jelena Jankovic
Serena Williams
Venus Williams
Elena Dementiva

FOOTWORK

Final Pick
Jimmy Connors

Shortlist
Roger Federer
Jimmy Connors
John McEnroe
Vitas Gerulatis
Rod Laver
Ken Rosewall
Stefan Edberg
Miloslav Mecir
Marcelo Rios
Michael Chang

Steffi Graf
Chris Evert
Martina Hingis
Tracy Austin
Maria Bueno
Suzanne Lenglen

Today's Best
Roger Federer
Guillermo Coria
Novak Djokovic
Lleyton Hewitt
David Nalbandian

Justine Henin
Amelie Mauresmo
Venus Williams
Anna Chakvetadze
Elena Dementieva
— TENNIS.com

Initially when we talk of movement in tennis we think of those who best track down one ball after another. These are the rabbits, the men and women who oppress opponents by dint of their exceptional defense. Two Open era men that come to mind are a pair of claycourt masters, Bjorn Borg and Rafael Nadal.
Borg was one of the game’s first lopers, a gazelle of a man with an exceptionally low pulse and a wonderfully tapered physique. Many pros felt that on clay the Swede was so fast it was nearly impossible to win a point against him. In an era where there are even more thundering baseliners, Nadal has taken that defensive model to new heights, scampering to corners, moving forward and turning up the volume, particularly with his forehand. Honorable mention in recent times goes to Lleyton Hewitt and Michael Chang.

But another way to look at footspeed is to see how a player uses his or her wheels for offense. Vitas Gerulaitis hummed into volleying position. Pete Sampras moved fast enough to put himself constantly on the aggressive end of a point.

Our choice for raw velocity is a woman who’s played her fair share of both – Venus Williams. Raised to conceive of herself as an offensive player, but for much of her career, the hallmark of her career has been her pterodactyl-like defense. Still, as seen during her four Wimbledon victories, when Williams transitions that sweeping defense into offense, she is one rough customer.

Then there’s footwork, not to be confused with footspeed. The race in tennis is not necessarily won by the one who is most swift. After all, the vast majority of movement in tennis is rarely further than four yards. And as every recreational player knows, the balls that come slow and soft reveal with a vengeance the limits of a player’s footwork. It’s how adeptly you move around the ball that can be exceptionally telling.

So how best to define footwork? Think of it this way: How well did the player make all those little adjustment steps so that he or she could repeatedly be in the best possible position to most effectively strike the ball? By this definition, someone with the superb footspeed of Venus Williams – constantly forced to improvise and get out of her own way – does not have anywhere near the footwork of, say, the exceptionally consistent, proficient and reliable Chris Evert. Evert’s discipline was extraordinary. Rarely was she seen off-balance or unable to strike the ball emphatically.

Over the course of careers that each lasted 20 years – twice the length of most – Ken Rosewall and Jimmy Connors each showed sublime footwork. Rosewall was an acoustic glider in the manner of Fred Astaire, Connors a squeaky shuffler. Like Evert, each usually was poised for quality contact.

Steffi Graf represents an unusual case, combining both Olympic-like speed and exceptional discipline. Though it’s impossible to assail her Slam tally, it's fascinating that Graf employed her speed much more side-to-side than to come forward. Still, she ranks among the very best in both departments.

But when it comes to harnessing speed and discipline together, no one does it better than Roger Federer. So adept is Federer at tracking the ball that he seems able to float to it. Of course he’s actually moving swiftly. Yet Federer’s feet rarely scamper. With unsurpassed posture, he is always able to adjust his feet and strike the ball precisely on his terms. That is the true goal of footwork: To get there in time – and place – so that you have the widest range of options.

Joel Drucker is a contributing editor at TENNIS magazine. The author is grateful for the assistance of many experts and former pros, including Brent Abel, John Barrett, Steve Flink, Mary Carillo, Trey Waltke, Chris Lewis, John Newcombe, Owen Davidson, Fred Stolle and Brian Gottfried.

 

[laurie]

Every time I paste an artcle, 1969 comes out with an emoticon wearing shades.

 

[federerfanatic]

Every time I paste an artcle, 1969 comes out with an emoticon wearing shades.

You need to put a space between the 9 and the ). (1969 )

 

[helloworld]

I don't see Nadal and Borg in the shortlist, yet they mentioned them in the analysis...

 

[latinking]

IMO Roddick should not be on short list for best forehand today. I can think of many with better.

 

[latinking]

IMO, they should have Novak and Baghdatis on the Backhand short list for today best.

 

[laurie]

Hmm! Joel Drucker has since changed his mind and has rightly given the Overhead category to Sampras

The Overhead: Pete Sampras


What are the greatest shots in tennis history? We pick out the game’s most fearsome weapons stroke by stroke, concentrating on the Open Era (since 1968).

By Joel Drucker

Part VII: The Overhead Updated



Final Pick
Pete Sampras

Shortlist
Chuck McKinley
Lew Hoad
Greg Rusedski
Richard Krajicek
Mark Philippoussis
Yannick Noah
John McEnroe
John Newcombe
Illie Nastase
Stan Smith
Dick Stockton
Jeff Borowiak

Billie Jean King
Martina Navratilova
Steffi Graf
Martina Hingis
Justine Henin
— TENNIS.com

Of all shots, grasping the best here has been a process in tennis evolution. Contemporary players come to net so rarely and strike passing shots so well that it’s rare to see players forced to play too many overheads. But still, the revised pick for the Open Era is Pete Sampras. No way did he have to hit as many as his netrushing predessors, but the fact that his smash was so good cast a strong shadow of doubt in his opponents’ minds. Had his overhead been anything less than first-rate and the netrushing Sampras would have faced a slew of lobs. But those he faced were rarely missed. Just about every smash he struck was terminal.

The original pick was a player with a cult-like appreciation whose prime was just before the Open Era – 1963 Wimbledon champion and Hall of Famer Chuck McKinley. He stood just a mere 5’ 9”, but to be a champ in his time McKinley knew he’d have to come to net and work very hard on his overhead. He did, learning to jump up in the air to field any but the very best lobs. And as for the weak lobs, he was savage, taking particular delight in bludgeoning them with all his might – a dangerous occasion for any doubles opponent in his way.

In the netrushing heyday of 1946-‘80, it was impossible for a player to even be on the tour without owning a fine smash. Other Americans every bit as good as McKinley – if not better given their height -- included Jack Kramer, Pancho Gonzales, Tony Trabert, Stan Smith and John McEnroe. As indifferent as McEnroe appeared towards practice, the overhead was the one shot he made sure to practice excessively. Trabert and Smith were quite powerful – each able to bounce backhand overheads over the fence. Finding an Australian without a good overhead is as rare as finding one who has never had a beer (though, curiously, Rod Laver’s smash was not considered quite as supreme as the rest of his game). Others who many lobbed at their own peril were Dick Stockton and Jeff Borowiak.

Joel Drucker is a contributing editor at TENNIS magazine. The author is grateful for the assistance of many experts and former pros, including Brent Abel, John Barrett, Steve Flink, Mary Carillo, Trey Waltke, Chris Lewis, John Newcombe, Owen Davidson, Fred Stolle and Brian Gottfried

 

[federerfanatic]

Hehe, wonder what brought about that change of heart. I agree with Sampras getting the overhead in his correction, just intersting to see someone making choices like this actually go back and reverse their pick. I was surprised initialy Sampras did not get the overhead, however all the same I have never seen McKinley for example play, not even on tape.

 

[helloworld]

Is footspeed considered a "shot" ??? This whole thing is getting lame here... What's next, mental toughness? Wow, what a shot!

 

[Polaris]

Hehe, wonder what brought about that change of heart. I agree with Sampras getting the overhead in his correction, just intersting to see someone making choices like this actually go back and reverse their pick. I was surprised initialy Sampras did not get the overhead, however all the same I have never seen McKinley for example play, not even on tape.

Who knows, may be Bodo shot him an email . The guy worships Sampras.

 

[laurie]

Is footspeed considered a "shot" ??? This whole thing is getting lame here... What's next, mental toughness? Wow, what a shot!

To answer your question - Yes


Head: Billie Jean King


What are the greatest shots in tennis history? We pick out the game’s most fearsome weapons stroke by stroke, concentrating on the Open Era (since 1968).

Final Pick
Billie Jean King

MENTAL STRENGTH

Shortlist
Chris Evert
Billie Jean King
Tracy Austin
Steffi Graf
Monica Seles
Arantxa Sanchez Vicario
Maureen Connolly
Helen Wills Moody
Serena Williams
Justine Henin
Maria Sharapova

Bjorn Borg
Pete Sampras
Roger Federer
Rafael Nadal
Jimmy Connors
Guillermo Vilas
Rod Laver
Ken Rosewall
Pancho Gonzalez
Ivan Lendl
Don Budge
Bill Tilden

Today's Best
Roger Federer
Rafael Nadal
Novak Djokovic
Lleyton Hewitt
Andy Roddick

Justine Henin
Serena Williams
Maria Sharapova

TACTICAL ABILITY

Shortlist
Martina Hingis
Billie Jean King
Martina Navratilova

Roger Federer
John McEnroe
Mats Wilander
Ivan Lendl
Brad Gilbert
Andre Agassi
Arthur Ashe
John Newcombe
Ken Rosewall
Bobby Riggs
Jack Kramer
Rene Lacoste
Bill Tilden

Today's Best
Roger Federer
Andy Murray
David Nalbandian

Justine Henin
Anna Chakvetadze
Daniela Hantuchova
— TENNIS.com

By Joel Drucker

Part XI: Head


Years ago, pondering who was the smartest player in tennis, the answers seemed simple: Bjorn Borg and Chris Evert. After all, they won the most, so logic dictated each was surely the smartest – as obvious as the kid with the best grades being the smartest in the class.
But more recently, I’ve come to see this topic more broadly. To be sure, Borg and Evert were possessed abundant qualities of self-knowledge, rarely if ever attempting shots they didn’t own.

But perhaps a great tennis mind stretches further, pushing the boundaries of skill by creating game plans, making adjustments and grasping the emotional and tactical flow of a match just enough to alter it subtly.

John McEnroe and Martina Hingis possessed savant-like court management skills. It’s easy to let McEnroe’s breathtaking drop volleys and acute angles cloud the fact that his tennis game was based on logic and skill at never overplaying a shot and delicately probing for weaknesses. In an era of ascending Big Babe tennis, Hingis too reminded us of tennis’ chess-like qualities.

Sadly, though, as each of these players aged, neither was able to adjust as well to upgrades in power. After all, implementing a tactic also requires enough fitness and strength to execute it with frequency.

So here’s my choice for the keenest mind in tennis history: Billie Jean King.

Over the long haul, well aware of what she could and couldn’t do, able to preside over the court like a field marshal, King understood everything from the mental to the tactical, from managing her energy between points to grasping what would unravel an opponent – and was capable of that special quality champions possess, the ability to surprise.

One of her trademark phrases is that “the ball tells me what to do with it.” But only if you’re paying as much attention as possible.

Joel Drucker is a contributing editor at TENNIS magazine. The author is grateful for the assistance of many experts and former pros, including Brent Abel, John Barrett, Steve Flink, Mary Carillo, Trey Waltke, Chris Lewis, John Newcombe, Owen Davidson, Fred Stolle and Brian Gottfried.

 

[tintin]

wtf is Hantuchova doing in the list for tactical ability?:shock:
I'd put Mauresmo and all of her variety there instead of that brainless,one dimensional baseliner!
if Hantuchova was so good,she would have won more titles than the 5 she's got.The 5th one she won this year was due to the facts that the best players were not playing in IW and she lost to a choking Kuznetsova
give me a break:roll:
with Justine,Serena,Venus,Maria,Amelie,Lindsay all coming back healthy this 2008 season,the likes of Hantuchova,Bartoli won't be in the top 10 very long.These ladies are the true top 10 players.Jankovic,Ivanovic,Kuznetsova all have their places in the top top 10 as well but Daniela and Marion? Please! :roll: