Rank the greatest strokes of all time:

1- forehand - Federer

2- backhand.....tough one ....Connors ?

3- 1st serve - Sampras

4- 2nd serve - Sampras

5- volley - McEnroe

6- speed - Nadal

7- mental - Borg

8- overhead - Sampras

9- serve and volley - Sampras

10- slice - Federer

11- topspin - Nadal

12- Flat - Connors

13- return of serve : Djokovic

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Thanks for proving to anyone that you have never watched a tennis match and only open livescore.com and the atp website.
 
1- forehand - Federer

2- backhand.....tough one ....Connors ?

3- 1st serve - Sampras

4- 2nd serve - Sampras

5- volley - McEnroe

6- speed - Nadal

7- mental - Borg

8- overhead - Sampras

9- serve and volley - Sampras

10- slice - Federer

11- topspin - Nadal

12- Flat - Connors

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Djokovic has a much better backhand than Connors and McEnroe's serve and volley was on par with Sampras. I agree with most of the other points here though!
 
1- forehand - Federer

2- backhand.....tough one ....Connors/Agassi/Nalby/Safin/Djoker/Murray ?

3- 1st serve - Karlovic/Goran

4- 2nd serve - Sampras

5- volley - McEnroe/Edberg

6- speed - Nadal

7- mental - Borg

8- overhead - Federer/Nadal, followed by Sampras -- Federer & Nadal seldom miss overheads, and Federer has the beautiful BH smash. In contrast, Sampras has the needlessly theatrical slam dunk overhead, which is spectacular to watch, but no more effective than the overheads of Federer/Nadal. i don't recall Sampras being as devastating as Federer off his BH smash

9- serve and volley - Sampras

10- slice - Federer

11- topspin - Nadal

12- Flat - Connors

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fixed it for you...
 
Best backhand has got to belong to Richard Gasquet. Best 2-handed BHs would include Safin and Nalbandian. Others to consider are Agassi, Murray, Djokovic and Connors.

Yes, JMac had an excellent volley. Others to consider include Edberg, Boris Becker, Rafter, Sampras, Pat Cash, Henman, Krajicek, Stich, Ivanisevic and Rod Laver. Of the current crop of top 10 players, I would have to say that Nadal has the best hands (Note: I am not saying that he belongs in my list above).

Other volleyers of the past to consider are Navritilova, Novatna, Billie Jean King and Ken Rosewall.
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Best backhand has got to belong to Richard Gasquet. Best 2-handed BHs would include Safin and Nalbandian. Others to consider are Agassi, Murray, Djokovic and Connors.

Yes, JMac had an excellent volley. Others to consider include Edberg, Boris Becker, Rafter, Sampras, Pat Cash, Henman, Krajicek, Stich, Ivanisevic and Rod Laver. Of the current crop of players, I would have to say that Nadal is the best. Other volleyers of the past to consider are Navritilova, Novatna, Billie Jean King and Ken Rosewall.


what?????? :shock::shock::shock::shock:
 
Best backhand has got to belong to Richard Gasquet. Best 2-handed BHs would include Safin and Nalbandian. Others to consider are Agassi, Murray, Djokovic and Connors.

Yes, JMac had an excellent volley. Others to consider include Edberg, Boris Becker, Rafter, Sampras, Pat Cash, Henman, Krajicek, Stich, Ivanisevic and Rod Laver. Of the current crop of players, I would have to say that Nadal is the best. Other volleyers of the past to consider are Navritilova, Novatna, Billie Jean King and Ken Rosewall.

What the...?
 
Nadal has excellent touch/volley skills. He's got very good hands rather than superior volley technique. Not saying that his volleying skills are at the same level as the other that I listed. Of the current crop of top 10 singles players, Rafa should be mentioned. Of course, many of the current doubles players undoubtedly have superior volley skills.
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2- backhand.....tough one ....Connors ?

8- overhead - Sampras


12- Flat - Connors

Backhand - Agassi or Safin

Overhead - Sampras? LOLWUT? Based on the dunks he made? Nadal very rarely misses an overhead but I would put Federer and Roddick here as not only they never miss but can smack the ball for winners from far back

Flat - Agassi by far
 
Best backhand has got to belong to Richard Gasquet. Best 2-handed BHs would include Safin and Nalbandian. Others to consider are Agassi, Murray, Djokovic and Connors.

Yes, JMac had an excellent volley. Others to consider include Edberg, Boris Becker, Rafter, Sampras, Pat Cash, Henman, Krajicek, Stich, Ivanisevic and Rod Laver. Of the current crop of players, I would have to say that Nadal is the best. Other volleyers of the past to consider are Navritilova, Novatna, Billie Jean King and Ken Rosewall.

But he just prefers to slug it out in 2-minute rallies:)
 
Nadal has excellent touch/volley skills. He's got very good hands rather than superior volley technique. Not saying that his volleying skills are at the same level as the other that I listed. Of the current crop of top 10 singles players, Rafa should be mentioned. Of course, many of the current doubles players undoubtedly have superior volley skills.
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I agree, and more importantly McEnroe says this constantly!

Especially considering the strings that Nadal uses!
 
Nadal has excellent touch/volley skills. He's got very good hands rather than superior volley technique. Not saying that his volleying skills are at the same level as the other that I listed. Of the current crop of top 10 singles players, Rafa should be mentioned. Of course, many of the current doubles players undoubtedly have superior volley skills.
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Do not know whther this post was made seriously or in jest but HILARIOUS either way! Kudos!
 
1- Forehand - Federer

2- 1h backhand- Edberg 2h backhand-Agassi

3- 1st serve - Sampras

4- 2nd serve - Sampras

5- Volley - Edberg

6- Speed - Monfils( Mach Speed, though consistent max level is Rafa)

7- Mental - Borg

8- Overhead - Sampras

9- Serve and Volley - Edberg/McEnroe....hard to pick from between these two

10- Slice - Federer/Rosewall

11- Topspin - Nadal

12- Flat - Connors
 
1- Forehand - Federer

2- 1h backhand- Edberg 2h backhand-Agassi

3- 1st serve - Sampras

4- 2nd serve - Sampras

5- Volley - Edberg

6- Speed - Monfils( Mach Speed, though consistent max level is Rafa)

7- Mental - Borg

8- Overhead - Sampras

9- Serve and Volley - Edberg/McEnroe....hard to pick from between these two

10- Slice - Federer/Rosewall

11- Topspin - Nadal

12- Flat - Connors

Ahh, never forget the 90 mph Rosewall slices!
 
1- Forehand (All shot variants inclusive) - Federer

2a - 1H backhand - Federer/Henin
2b - 2H Backhand - Nalbandian/Safin

3- 1st serve - Ivanisavic/Karlovic/Stich

4- 2nd serve - Sampras

5- Volley - McEnroe

6- Movement - Federer

7- Overhead - Sampras

8- Backhand Overhead - Federer

9- Mental Toughness - Borg

10- Physical Toughness - Lendl

11- Showmanship - Becker
 
1- Forehand - Federer

2- 1h backhand- Edberg 2h backhand-Agassi

3- 1st serve - Sampras

4- 2nd serve - Sampras

5- Volley - Edberg

6- Speed - Monfils( Mach Speed, though consistent max level is Rafa)

7- Mental - Borg

8- Overhead - Sampras

9- Serve and Volley - Edberg/McEnroe....hard to pick from between these two

10- Slice - Federer/Rosewall

11- Topspin - Nadal

12- Flat - Connors

I'd just change first serve to Goran but I otherwise agree
 
Fed Rulz, I do agree Fed and Nadal's overhands are devestating, I think Fed is great and has alot of variety, Nadal's is more devastating a la Sampras. Also, whoever says Nadal doesn't have touch doesn't pay attention, he does indeed look extremly awkward and unnatural at net, but suprisingly he does volley extremely well for someone you would expect to be terrible, and makes many more difficult volleys than people want to give him credit for, personally, I think if he could develop this aspect of his game and be even more willing to use a net game as his tactics, with his lefty hook, and monster forehand, it is an unstoppable combination.

Sampras seldom missed, and also hits many leaping backward overheads from No man's land, well past the service line, even hitting the slice variety. I actually think his overhand is second to none, and his overhand from the baseline is amazing as well, you can see Federer use this shot alot as well.

Personally, my favorite overhand of Federer's is his slice "inside in" overhead,he hits it often, and its so deceptive, he even hits it off pace, and inside out.

I think this is close, as they all have strengths in each of there overhand, to me this is a "pick em" category, where you really don't have an wrong answer with either of these....but I would go with Sampras because of his style of play, he tends to hit more overhands, more often. Hence his opportunities to even hit as many brutal slam dunks...or you could just say I am a moron Pete-**** or whatever you variety you come up with today ;)
 
your statement holds water if Federer was outside the top 10 atm. Not sure how you can put Nadal ahead of Federer...

Did not intend to put Rafa ahead of Roger. I probably should not have mentioned Nadal w/o also mentioning Federer. Both are decent volleyers. To my mind it is a tossup to which is actually better. We just don't get to see them volley enough. I would certainly put the Bryan Bros and other doubles players ahead of Rafa & Roger for volley skills. Neither Federer nor Nadal actually belongs in the group of great volleyers that I listed in post #9.


I agree, and more importantly McEnroe says this constantly!

Especially considering the strings that Nadal uses!

Hey, if it's coming from JMac, one of the all-time top volleyers in the game, it's good enough for me.
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1- Forehand (All shot variants inclusive) - Federer

2a - 1H backhand - Federer/Henin
2b - 2H Backhand - Nalbandian/Safin

3- 1st serve - Ivanisavic/Karlovic/Stich

4- 2nd serve - Sampras

5- Volley - McEnroe

6- Movement - Federer

7- Overhead - Sampras

8- Backhand Overhead - Federer

9- Mental Toughness - Borg

10- Physical Toughness - Lendl

11- Showmanship - Becker

So basically anybody but Nadal or Djoker??? Would Lendl have survived an encounter with Rafa or Novak at the Aussie?

Is Federer's movement really better than Borg's, Nadal's, and Djoker's?

Is Safin's 2hBH really better than Djoker's??
 
1- forehand - Federer

2- backhand.....tough one ....Connors ?

3- 1st serve - Sampras

4- 2nd serve - Sampras

5- volley - McEnroe

6- speed - Nadal

7- mental - Borg

8- overhead - Sampras

9- serve and volley - Sampras

10- slice - Federer

11- topspin - Nadal

12- Flat - Connors

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that's a decent list

Backhand Id give to Guga or Edberg

Return Id give to Novak DJ or Agassi

Serve placement to McEnroe

Approach shot Edberg

Fight to Connors
 
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dropper: fed/stepanek
ohbh: how can ppl forget to include edberg, gaston gaudio, gasquet
slice: graf
squash fh shot: fed
 
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1- Forehand - Federer

2- 1h backhand- Edberg 2h backhand-Agassi

3- 1st serve - Sampras

4- 2nd serve - Sampras

5- Volley - Edberg

6- Speed - Monfils( Mach Speed, though consistent max level is Rafa)

7- Mental - Borg

8- Overhead - Sampras

9- Serve and Volley - Edberg/McEnroe....hard to pick from between these two

10- Slice - Federer/Rosewall

11- Topspin - Nadal

12- Flat - Connors

I watched Agassi for many, many years, and believe me, Novak would kill Agassi with his backhand.Novak has much more variety, pace than Agassi ever had, and he almost never hit his backhand the same way twice.
 
Suggesting Nadal's overhead is better than Sampras' is a big flashing beacon that the poster doesn't know squat about tennis. It's such a laughable suggestion it surely has to be an attempt at a joke.

Sampras was GOATing untouchable overhead's on the full from the back-court. Nadal, like his volleys, is solid when not rushed and very good when they're straightforward/easy. Other than that he's bog-standard compared to Sampras or Federer.
 
1- Forehand - Federer

2a - 1H backhand - Federer/Almargo
2b - 2H Backhand - Djokovic/Nalbandian/Safin

3- 1st serve - Ivanisavic

4- 2nd serve - Sampras

5- Volley - Edberg

6- Drop shot - Federer

7- Movement - Federer/Djokovic

8- Overhead - Sampras

9- Mental Toughness - Wilander/Borg

10- Physical Toughness - Federer

11- Showmanship - Santoro
 
I agree, and more importantly McEnroe says this constantly!

Especially considering the strings that Nadal uses!

and the racquet he uses too. it's not the best to volley with. i saw a slow mo of nadal hitting a stick reaction volley. he hit right through the contact point and exaggerated the follow through so well. it was slightly off center but the racquet barely recoiled since he put so much emphasis on the punch and follow through. it looked a little awkward and forceful but obviously it works really well.
 
1- forehand - Federer

2- backhand.....tough one ....Connors ?

3- 1st serve - Sampras

4- 2nd serve - Sampras

5- volley - McEnroe

6- speed - Nadal

7- mental - Borg

8- overhead - Sampras

9- serve and volley - Sampras

10- slice - Federer

11- topspin - Nadal

12- Flat - Connors

13- return of serve : Djokovic

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Fixed it....return of serve : Djokovic .
 
Suggesting Nadal's overhead is better than Sampras' is a big flashing beacon that the poster doesn't know squat about tennis. It's such a laughable suggestion it surely has to be an attempt at a joke.

Sampras was GOATing untouchable overhead's on the full from the back-court. Nadal, like his volleys, is solid when not rushed and very good when they're straightforward/easy. Other than that he's bog-standard compared to Sampras or Federer.

i don't know about that. nadal is no slouch at the overheads either. his volleys are only effective when he's in control of the point, or when he catches an opponent off guard, yes. but his overhead is on another level. unlike his volley, he doesn't have to be given an easy putaway to be effective. he and federer are able to grab so many from the air when it's behind them. both are incredibly physical when taking it from the air. nadal is almost on par with federer with the overhead. in terms of being able to put them away and grabbing the difficult ones, they are close to even. what sets federer apart is his better court sense at net and willingness to vary his shots.

he still isnt as good as sampras, but nadal's overheads are not at all like his volleys.
 
I watched Agassi for many, many years, and believe me, Novak would kill Agassi with his backhand.Novak has much more variety, pace than Agassi ever had, and he almost never hit his backhand the same way twice.

After watching Agassi for many many years, it's funny that you haven't seen his variety on the backhand wing. He could hit it loopy, flat and with spin. AA's backhand return was undeniably great. Novak has never faced an attacking player that could test his backhand returns, i.e, Djokovic's backhand return precision has never been tested. Returing Nadal's serve is not the same as returing Becker's or Sampras' etc.
 
14 - rackett killing - Baghdatis/Gonzales
15 - tumble - Monfils
16 - Somersault - Monfils
18 - Tweener - Fed
19 - Humor - Davydenko
20 - Girlfriend - well, most of them are very good at this one.
 
Fed has the best return of overhead overhead.

YouTube it against Roddick and Novak. Two of he best shots ever.

And Fed has the best between the legs passing shot too.
 
I can't believe I forgot this .....return of serve:

DJOKOVIC

Other great ROS candidates would include Jimmy Connors, Andre Agassi, Lleyton Hewitt and Rafa Nadal. In 2011 Novak had slightly better ROS stats than Rafa. However, for both 2012 and overall career ROS stats, Rafa comes out a bit above Novak.
 
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