Apun94
Hall of Fame
Obviously having his best HC season this year, he's playing some incredible tennis. However, I would like to disect all the technical aspects of his game, compared to 07-10:
1. His serve has improved, especially on the big points. Much better precision and speed than before. Gets him many free points than before.
2. Dont think his FH has improved per se, from before. Heck, he had the same forehand in 2011, when he got thrashed by Nole. Definitely dont think he has improved a lot from 2011, it's just his tactics have changed. I think it's just his tactic to place his FH that has changed. Now, he doesnt really go cross court all the time and instead tries to pull the trigger down the line. Plus, he is actually trying to dominate with it, rather than just looping it back now. It's his tactic that is making it look better. It's not, really.
3. EASILY the biggest weakness he has right now is the BH. I am truly shocked how bad it is right now. He can barely hit 5 cross court BHs before slicing the ball these days. He makes so many errors from that wing now, especially on the fast surfaces. Watch his matches on youtube from 07-08, he had an amazing BH which he was very aggressive with. These days, it's like the 05-06 version of it.
4. Movements isnt the way it was but that cant be helped. But, his court positioning is SO much better now, where he doesnt retreat much and tries to actually turn defense into offence with his FH the moments he gets the chance. His slow movement is actually a blessing in disguise for him.
5. He is MUCH more consistent on the HCs now, where he can play at the highest level for tournaments in a row. Wasnt the case before.
6. Physically he is fine and still a mental giant.
7. Dont really remember his level of return. P.S. I am still amazed at his refusal to return from closer to the baseline, especially after his success in Montreal. I was very surprised he returned to his old tactics just days later in Cincinatti. Didnt anyone else notice that?
All in all, he has improved his serve, FH tactics. court positioning and his consistency. His BH and speed have declined. If he doesnt improve his BH, i honestly dont think he'll beat Nole in the faster HCs of WTF which he should win atleast once.
I still think he can flatten out his FH a bit more, especially when on the offence but dont know why he doesnt do that. Plus, he NEEDS to learn to hit the flat BH DTL. It's amazing that someone vying for the GOAT position doesnt even have a flat BH DTL. (and thats coming from a big Nadal fan)
Just my two cents, what do you people think?
1. His serve has improved, especially on the big points. Much better precision and speed than before. Gets him many free points than before.
2. Dont think his FH has improved per se, from before. Heck, he had the same forehand in 2011, when he got thrashed by Nole. Definitely dont think he has improved a lot from 2011, it's just his tactics have changed. I think it's just his tactic to place his FH that has changed. Now, he doesnt really go cross court all the time and instead tries to pull the trigger down the line. Plus, he is actually trying to dominate with it, rather than just looping it back now. It's his tactic that is making it look better. It's not, really.
3. EASILY the biggest weakness he has right now is the BH. I am truly shocked how bad it is right now. He can barely hit 5 cross court BHs before slicing the ball these days. He makes so many errors from that wing now, especially on the fast surfaces. Watch his matches on youtube from 07-08, he had an amazing BH which he was very aggressive with. These days, it's like the 05-06 version of it.
4. Movements isnt the way it was but that cant be helped. But, his court positioning is SO much better now, where he doesnt retreat much and tries to actually turn defense into offence with his FH the moments he gets the chance. His slow movement is actually a blessing in disguise for him.
5. He is MUCH more consistent on the HCs now, where he can play at the highest level for tournaments in a row. Wasnt the case before.
6. Physically he is fine and still a mental giant.
7. Dont really remember his level of return. P.S. I am still amazed at his refusal to return from closer to the baseline, especially after his success in Montreal. I was very surprised he returned to his old tactics just days later in Cincinatti. Didnt anyone else notice that?
All in all, he has improved his serve, FH tactics. court positioning and his consistency. His BH and speed have declined. If he doesnt improve his BH, i honestly dont think he'll beat Nole in the faster HCs of WTF which he should win atleast once.
I still think he can flatten out his FH a bit more, especially when on the offence but dont know why he doesnt do that. Plus, he NEEDS to learn to hit the flat BH DTL. It's amazing that someone vying for the GOAT position doesnt even have a flat BH DTL. (and thats coming from a big Nadal fan)
Just my two cents, what do you people think?
