I know who Rublev's forehand reminds me of now

[Clay lover]

James Blake. The mechanics and the timing of the shots are of course different. Rublev hits with more spin. James Blake was an earlier hitter. But their approaches are similar, and they also both hit straight-arm.

Blake had a simple takeback. Rublev arguably had a bigger takeback but would simplify it mid-rally when going for those blistering redirection winners. They're both simplifying the shot by taking out the excessive movements and channeling all that energy into one explosive action.

Talk about violent.

 

[aldeayeah]

What's the difference between a spinnier version of Blake's forehand and Fed's normal forehand? Grip?

(I suck at analyzing shot mechanics)

I see the resemblance though, the sudden abbreviated movements + early hitting, taking away time from the opponent and making it seem like it comes out of nowhere. Almost impossible to defend.

 

[DSH]

BWEEEEEH!

 

[RaulRamirez]

Rublev certainly generates some power, and his timing is exquisite. Admittedly, between his strange wardrobe (I don't care about kits unless they assault me...a visceral reaction) and ugly grunt, I can't warm up to him.

 

[smalahove]

What's the difference between a spinnier version of Blake's forehand and Fed's normal forehand? Grip?

(I suck at analyzing shot mechanics)

I see the resemblance though, the sudden abbreviated movements + early hitting, taking away time from the opponent and making it seem like it comes out of nowhere. Almost impossible to defend.

One major difference is that Federer, more often than not, fully extends his elbow joint in the take back as/just before he starts his forward movement. Nadal FH is pretty similar in that regard as well, albeit he fully extends somewhat later (just after he starts hos forward movement). They fully extend because they hit the ball with a straight arm.

In the same "position", or the similar part in the sequence, both Rublev and Blake still have slightly bent elbow.

It's a matter of natural preferences: do you find the tennis swing more similar to throwing a punch or throwing a skipping stone (bent), or throwing a javelin or a medicine ball (straight)? The former lets you rip the ball with a shorter/abbreviated unit turn, but requires extreme explosiveness and upper body (rotational and arm) strength - and great timing, which is also why it is not as common on the WTA tour as the ATP tour.

However, most of the time it's not a question of either-or. Most players adjust according to the ball they want or are forced to hit, and some are better at adjusting than others.