Lots of Superstars Playing Doubles

[Matthew]

Anyone notice a lot of normally singles players playing some doubles in Monte Carlo? Perhaps the new format for doubles has actually succeeded in attracting more singles players to the doubles game.

Some players I noticed in the doubles draw...

Federer
Safin
Murray
Henman
Coria
Srichaphan
Kiefer

 

[8PAQ]

Anyone notice a lot of normally singles players playing some doubles in Monte Carlo? Perhaps the new format for doubles has actually succeeded in attracting more singles players to the doubles game.

Some players I noticed in the doubles draw...

Federer
Safin
Murray
Henman
Coria
Srichaphan
Kiefer

LOL @ Kiefer being a superstar.

 

[simi]

I'm kinda thinking that they just want to get in some clay court time and competition, to help make the transition from the spring hard court season to the clay court season.

Yesterday, while watching Henman with his struggles, considering his current mental state about his performances and a possible retirement . . . I was thinking that if he really loves the game and wants to continue, that he would make a decent doubles player. He's lost a little pace on his serve, but still has one of the best net games among single players. I suspect he could make a few coin on the doubles circuit. Not as much glory, but he could earn a steady paycheck. (Not as if he really needs one.) He could be quite competitive for another five years playing doubles.

 

[diegaa]

I'm kinda thinking that they just want to get in some clay court time and competition, to help make the transition from the spring hard court season to the clay court season.

Yeap. I heard coria saying that he needs the competition as he has been in & out of the tour. Also said that this is a opportunity to work his (crappy) serve.

 

[VamosRafa]

Toni said that Rafa is going to play more doubles, too, because with the new format he only is on court for an hour in doubles. It's a good way to work on what passes for his S&V game (I said that, not Toni). Rafa did play doubles at IW, and although he probably will pass on doubles during the clay season, I bet he'll play more doubles after that.

 

[arky-tennis]

Vamos- ha ha ha. Sorry, Rafael Nadal is a great tennis player but serve and volley + Nadal = funny.

 

[sureshs]

ATP and TDs might be putting unofficial pressure on them.

 

[Andres]

Vamos- ha ha ha. Sorry, Rafael Nadal is a great tennis player but serve and volley + Nadal = funny.

He is lefty, though.
Being lefty, decently tall, and able to achieve good angles won't hurt on him if he wants so S&V.

+ slice, - topspin, lefty, good return, and great speed = Nadal being a decent-to-good serve and volleyer.

 

[Alexandros]

He is lefty, though.
Being lefty, decently tall, and able to achieve good angles won't hurt on him if he wants so S&V.

+ slice, - topspin, lefty, good return, and great speed = Nadal being a decent-to-good serve and volleyer.

Uh, actually the main components of a good serve and volleyer are... a good serve and a good volley. Since when does topspin help in volleying? Approach shots are typically sliced for a reason - so the ball is low and the opponent has to hit up more to pass.

Anyway, Nadal is more than adequate at the net with putaway shots and he has fairly deft hands, but I don't think he handles low pick ups and or touch shots that well. Plus his serve, while not a liability, is the weakest part of his game and not something that he can feasibly come in off, not regularly.

The only real thing Nadal has going for him if he were to serve and volley is the blitzing foot speed and acceleration, letting him get to the net quickly.

 

[VamosRafa]

Uh, actually the main components of a good serve and volleyer are... a good serve and a good volley. Nadal is more than adequate at the net with putaway shots and he has fairly deft hands, but I don't think he handles low pick ups and or touch shots that well. Plus his serve, while not a liability, is the weakest part of his game and not something that he can feasibly come in off, not regularly.

The only real thing Nadal has going for him if he were to serve and volley is the blitzing foot speed and acceleration, letting him get to the net quickly.

Interesting thoughts. One thing Rafa has said before, and confirmed today is that he gets tapes of all his matches and watches them later to see what he's done wrong, what he's done right, and what he can improve and such.

I wonder if all pros do that? They must, but you don't hear them talking about it as much. Rafa said today, in English, mind you:

Q. Can we compare your level of play now compared with last year at the same time.

RAFAEL NADAL: No, I can't compare that, no, because I don't know very good exactly. But last year I don't play good the first match here, too, no. I remember very well because I have the match, I watch all matches on TV.

 

[Alexandros]

Andy Roddick has said recently he's been watching tapes of himself in his heyday. Federer mentions occasionally that he likes watching himself, if that counts.