Nadal has changed his swing!!!!

[Jimmyk459]

I just recently saw a highlight film of some of Nadal's matches from the masters cup in 2006. It was during this that i realized that Nadal has definately changed his forehand stroke from last year. If you watch this film (click the first link below), you will notice that his strokes are closer to his body and more up and down instead of the flatter back and forth forehand stoke that he has now. In the old video, he seems to be generating more topspin but less penetration than he does now.

Then, if you watch the second clip against Gasquet, you can notice that his backswing goes more linear instead of a huge loop that it did in 06. It seems as if his racquet is heavier now and that he is just letting it's momentum do most of the work.

What do you think??? Am i just imagining this???
Is this a good thing or bad thing for Nadal's Game?





(Nadal 06 Masters cup)

[URL="http://youtube.com/watch?v=_zeRKntVYOc"]
(Nadal 07 Masters cup)

 

[Jimmyk459]

CHECK OUT TIME 4:30 in the Gasquet Nadal clip to see what i am talking about when i say more LINEAR SWING

 

[Jimmyk459]

And Minute 3:00

 

[Steven87]

Illusions caused by racquet

 

[Clay lover]

I actually think Nadal hit flat more seldom on hard courts now than he was in the past.

 

[Jimmyk459]

i thought about that too... could it be that the white from his aeropro drive cortex gives this illusion???

 

[Bertie B]

I've noticed Federer hitting Nadal's forehand, follow-through and all, against Sampras in their exhibition match.

 

[127mph]

nadal also slightly tweeks his serve motion every 2 months. If you watch his serve during AO 2006 compared to hamburg 2006, quite a difference.