Makarova's backhand technique

[thomasferrett]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2miUXLtXDY

Look at the follow-through, it is definitely not a traditional over-the-shoulder followthrough with the racket strings pointing towards the side fences. Instead, the racket strings point towards the front and back fences at the end of her swing, and, at the end of the followthrough, the same side of the racket that hit the ball continues to point forwards, towards the opponent, suggesting a windshield-wiper swing path.

However, she seems to hit the backhand very flat (typical of a WTA player), and that is NOT suggestive of a windshield-wiper swing path.

What is happening in her backhand technique?

 

[President]

It's hard to analyze strokes IMO from real time footage. Is there any slow-mo of her?

 

[thomasferrett]

It's hard to analyze strokes IMO from real time footage. Is there any slow-mo of her?

Yeah, I know.

I could not find slo-mo footage of her backhand.

That may well change as she gains increasing... prominence... with her recent match (no spoilers).

 

[ollinger]

Truth be told, nothing much matters after the ball leaves the strings. That one follows through at all bears at least some relationship to what you do before the moment of contact, but where you follow through will not affect your shot.

 

[bluetrain4]

Looking at it in real time, it doesn't look that weird. She does take it up over her shoulder sometimes. It reminds me of Seles. Note that I said "reminds" me. It may in reality be different. But, it real time, it gives me shades of Seles.