Nadal slice backhand

[123456789]

If Nadal hits his slice backhand closer to the line and with lower clearance, wouldn't that force Djokovic to hit a slice backhand (which is not his strongest area) or a relatively neutral backhand to Nadals forehand? Nadal in Doha, Beijing for the most part hit loopy slices that weren't close enough DTL allowing Djokovic to hit an aggressive backhand back down the line or one that paints the cross court line, not allowing Nadal to gain control of the rally. Is this something you think Nadal will work extremely hard on before the AO starts? A slice backhand that is closer down the line and with lower net clearance?

 

[crazyups]

I think a key pattern that would help Nadal is to hit plenty of low, deep slices to Novak's forehand when Novak is on the add side, meaning Novak will have to run to hit it with his extreme forehand. Novak doesn't like low slices with little pace to his forehand. This would enable Nadal to cheat half a step to his own forehand that he sometimes has trouble reaching and it's much easier to retrieve deep backhands with a slice. To make Novak be on the add side more Nadal would have to make the DTL topspin backhand work too. Low slices over the low part of the net.

 

[Nathaniel_Near]

Too much training against Fed.

 

[metsman]

nadal had great success slicing low to novak's forehand in 2013, however like Federer, I don't know if he can even hit that slice anymore. Both of their slices float now and are easily attackable shots. If they had their old slices it would be a great thing to use against Novak.

 

[BrooklynNY]

this is one of those things that in theory it's the perfect plan. In reality, it's not going to work

 

[Jaitock1991]

The most important part of Nadal's game is his forehand. He needs to have a pattern of play that will enable him to be aggressive with it. And IMO, the slice should certainly be a part of his toolbox. I remember in the USO13 final, he used his slice to set up his forehand(which at the time was a monstrous weapon) with great success. I don't think he'd won that match without that slice. That said, I think it's also quite obvious Rafa's forehand these days isn't anywhere near its best.

 

[crazyups]

this is one of those things that in theory it's the perfect plan. In reality, it's not going to work

It's not the perfect plan, it's a part of the plan.

 

[bjsnider]

If Nadal hits his slice backhand closer to the line and with lower clearance, wouldn't that force Djokovic to hit a slice backhand (which is not his strongest area) or a relatively neutral backhand to Nadals forehand? Nadal in Doha, Beijing for the most part hit loopy slices that weren't close enough DTL allowing Djokovic to hit an aggressive backhand back down the line or one that paints the cross court line, not allowing Nadal to gain control of the rally. Is this something you think Nadal will work extremely hard on before the AO starts? A slice backhand that is closer down the line and with lower net clearance?

Have a look at the 2012 AO final, during which Cahill and the others were begging Nadal to stop hitting slice backhands, because he just about always lost those points. He's got no instinct for it. It gives Djokovic more time to attack.

 

[123456789]

If Nadal was able to hit his slices much closer to the Line, Djokovic would have to hit a neutral ball to Rafas forehand cross court. Hitting it back down the line would be an extremely low percentage shot,or near impossible. Nadal I think uses an eastern backhand grip for his slice...if he can change it closer to continental that would make the process of hitting it with lower clearance and deeper easier. It may also help him control the direction of the ball better, allowing him to hit closer to the lines.

 

[123456789]

Have a look at the 2012 AO final, during which Cahill and the others were begging Nadal to stop hitting slice backhands, because he just about always lost those points. He's got no instinct for it. It gives Djokovic more time to attack.

That's because they are loopy, short, and angled poorly.

 

[Noelan]

Nadal BH slice is now pure defensive shot, while Novak improved his own and reacts better when opponent hit low to his FH.

 

[crazyups]

Have a look at the 2012 AO final, during which Cahill and the others were begging Nadal to stop hitting slice backhands, because he just about always lost those points. He's got no instinct for it. It gives Djokovic more time to attack.

Well if we recall, Nadal did pretty well in that final which became epic and yes, Nadal should not have hit too many slices to Novak's backhand but forehand is a different story. Nadal has to concentrate on defense more now against such a powerful robot.

 

[123456789]

Nadal BH slice is now pure defensive shot, while Novak improved his own and reacts better when opponent hit low to his FH.

Like I said, if he works on this shot, it could help him offensively if he happens to meet Djokovic in the latter stages of the AO. I think what Nadal was working on for the past few months was just to stop making so many errors. He's not doing that so that's something to work off of. Now he needs to work on a specific shot that helps him offensively.

 

[123456789]

The reason Nadal was lacking depth was because its not 2008 or 2010 and he no longer is able to hit quality shots on defense. Down the line he can come up with impossible winners. But when he is on the run and has to hit cross court his buggy whip forehand falls insanely short. This would not happen if he already has control of the rally which is why he has to go for the lines early. Instead of the buggy whip, his WW forehand would be more effective in these cases for starting the rally strong and gaining control. If this leads to to many errors he should resort to a slice backhand DTL or cross court that is deep, better angled, and lower net clearance than the junk he has been coughing up in Doha or any hard court recently. This will give him a better chance of opening up easier looks on his forehand. If he is able to do this early on in the match against Djokovic, assumimg that he happens to meet him, alongside with the help of the slower AO surface, he can at least somewhat contest him.

 

[Bobby Jr]

If Nadal hits his slice backhand closer to the line and with lower clearance, wouldn't that force Djokovic to hit a slice backhand ..

Here's the problem with it though. Nadal can't hit his slice backhand consistently down the line near to the line because he hits inside it too much. His slice lacks confidence and consistent depth - and his peers pretty much know now that if he's hitting slice backhands you've probably got him on the ropes, or close to.

 

[jm1980]

Outside of a couple of matches here and there, Nadal's slice isn't that great. It sits up way too much and I'm astounded players don't take advantage of it a little more

Slicing against Novak, specially now, is a tough proposition. Not only does he have a good enough slice to counter it, but he can hit topspin off the slice on both wings. Djoker quite often hits topsin BHs in positions where other players would hit a slice back. The result is you'll be doing a lot of running if you keep slicing to him. You may win a few points here and there but over the course of the match this strategy is dubious against Djokovic.

 

[123456789]

Here's the problem with it though. Nadal can't hit his slice backhand consistently down the line near to the line because he hits inside it too much. His slice lacks confidence and consistent depth - and his peers pretty much know now that if he's hitting slice backhands you've probably got him on the ropes, or close to.

But thats why I am saying that this is the shot he needs to work on before the AO. If he can make it back into a weapon like he did in 2013 USO, he stands a much better chance of making it a contest against Djokovic. This and using the WW forehand atleast 55-60% of the time. I would think that the depth and explosivity of this WW forehand heavily outweighs the errors that it brings.

 

[metsman]

Outside of a couple of matches here and there, Nadal's slice isn't that great. It sits up way too much and I'm astounded players don't take advantage of it a little more

Slicing against Novak, specially now, is a tough proposition. Not only does he have a good enough slice to counter it, but he can hit topspin off the slice on both wings. Djoker quite often hits topsin BHs in positions where other players would hit a slice back. The result is you'll be doing a lot of running if you keep slicing to him. You may win a few points here and there but over the course of the match this strategy is dubious against Djokovic.

on a faster court slicing to novak's FH gives him trouble. Federer, Murray, and Nadal have all done this to good success. No one is talking about slicing to his backhand.

 

[123456789]

Outside of a couple of matches here and there, Nadal's slice isn't that great. It sits up way too much and I'm astounded players don't take advantage of it a little more

Slicing against Novak, specially now, is a tough proposition. Not only does he have a good enough slice to counter it, but he can hit topspin off the slice on both wings. Djoker quite often hits topsin BHs in positions where other players would hit a slice back. The result is you'll be doing a lot of running if you keep slicing to him. You may win a few points here and there but over the course of the match this strategy is dubious against Djokovic.

This is because Nadals slice is currently not a weapon and Djokovic can do whatever he wants. But if he works on it this year he can at least stop getting destroyed. I don't think Novak would be able to expose a more deadly slice.

 

[123456789]

This is because Nadals slice is currently not a weapon and Djokovic can do whatever he wants. But if he works on it this year he can at least stop getting destroyed. I don't think Novak would be able to expose a more deadly and penetrating slice.

 

[123456789]

yeah I think mets man is right actually. Novaks western grip on the forehand would be trouble For him IF Nadal is able to make his slice deadly again like 2013 USO

 

[jm1980]

This is because Nadals slice is currently not a weapon and Djokovic can do whatever he wants. But if he works on it this year he can at least stop getting destroyed. I don't think Novak would be able to expose a more deadly slice.

Nadal's slice has always been mediocre and mostly a defensive shot.

 

[Noelan]

Outside of a couple of matches here and there, Nadal's slice isn't that great. It sits up way too much and I'm astounded players don't take advantage of it a little more

Slicing against Novak, specially now, is a tough proposition. Not only does he have a good enough slice to counter it, but he can hit topspin off the slice on both wings. Djoker quite often hits topsin BHs in positions where other players would hit a slice back. The result is you'll be doing a lot of running if you keep slicing to him. You may win a few points here and there but over the course of the match this strategy is dubious against Djokovic.

That's exactly what he was doing to Berdych in Doha, then hes capable to win the slice battle against Murray whose slice BH is much better shot than Nadals.

 

[crazyups]

Novak has trouble handling a low slice to his forehand when he is a bit tired, but that seems almost impossible these days.

 

[123456789]

Nadal's slice has always been mediocre and mostly a defensive shot.

I wouldn't say it was mediocre during the years he won the USO

 

[thomasferrett]

Nadal has a whole heap of options. He can also choose to ramp up the topspin on his cross-court forehand even more than he does against Federer. That will cause the ball to kick up outside of even Djokovic's backhand strike zone, he will get short balls and can go to town on them.

 

[metsman]

Nadal has a whole heap of options. He can also choose to ramp up the topspin on his cross-court forehand even more than he does against Federer. That will cause the ball to kick up outside of even Djokovic's backhand strike zone, he will get short balls and can go to town on them.

nadal used to be able to do that with his CC forehand. He just doesn't seem to have the same bite and angle on it anymore to trouble the Djokovic backhand and it's not a current thing, that's been an issue since 2011. Watching some matches before 2011, you can see Nadal get Djokovic off balance and off the court with deep angled CC forehands with vicious spin. After 2011...lots of slop closer to the middle of the court just past the service line which djoker can tee off on with his backhand. His DTL forehand improved which is why he was still able to beat Djoker 2012-2013 but that doesn't compensate for decline in the bread and butter of nadal's game...CC forehand and defense. Everything declined last year, some aspects very sharply, hence the disastrous results against Djokovic.

 

[thomasferrett]

I heard Nadal changed his string to get more topspin?

It's because he knows he has enough spin to bounce over Federer's backhand strike zone, but he's now looking for enough spin to bounce over Djokovic's backhand strike zone.

That's the thing with tennis, it's not a game of strategy, but one of execution.

Don't do different: do better.