Roddick's slice backhand

[newnuse]

That must be the ugliest 1 handed slice I've ever seen. Who the heck taught him that. It's a short ugly stroke with little follow through. The results is a soft floater that stis up after hitting the ground.

I can' believe a player of his rank would have that kind of slice backhand.

Must be the Babalot. If only he switched to a PS85". That way, it would force him to follow through... his backhand would be better than Edberg's

 

[BiGGieStuFF]

Not everyone can have perfect form, but it does it's job. For the most part it gets the ball back decently deep with low pace so the other player cannot really Tee off on it all the time. It does offer up some change of pace too, but I think that's where most players have been trying to attack him but they attack with topspin or pace back to his backhand. I'd like to see him handle a shot from FEd after fed slices his slice. Let's see him try to pick that up. Should be good for some cheap error points.

 

[Alafter]

from what i see, his slice is doing its job for most part. Who gives a rat's a. if it's ugly

 

[newnuse]

Not only is it ugly, it floats and sits up. Go watch a deep penetrating slice from another pro... any body besides Roddick.

 

[superman1]

I've never seen anyone hit an offensive shot off of his slice, so obviously it's working for him.

 

[Jack Romeo]

the racket work on the slice still looks the same as before but i think it has improved in terms of effectiveness because he is moving through the shot as he hits it. before, he sort of chopped at the ball and then moved. this is why i think it made for such a poor approach shot. but in the hewitt match, he moved forward through the shot so he was able to get in earlier and in better position for the volley. but he got a lot of help from hewitt, who was really lousy with his passing shots in that match.

 

[newnuse]

It's surprising with all the lessons he has gotten since he was a little kid... you figure somebody would teach him a proper 1 handed slice.... what the heck do you pay those coaches for

 

[Max G.]

It's surprising with all the lessons he has gotten since he was a little kid... you figure somebody would teach him a proper 1 handed slice.... what the heck do you pay those coaches for

For getting him to a point where he's a Grand Slam champion, a former world #1, and a top 10 player, and winning tournaments at the ATP level.

 

[WayneCM]

It's surprising with all the lessons he has gotten since he was a little kid... you figure somebody would teach him a proper 1 handed slice.... what the heck do you pay those coaches for

My good man u've already made ur mind up... The fact is against the players so far it's worked quite well, i'll take effectiveness over appearance anyday... No point in having the most graceful eye catching slice if sum dude pummles the ball past u...

 

[newnuse]

Yes, he has reached number 1, yes he won a major..... it isn't because of his slice backhand... it's despite of his 1 hander.

If he ever wants to reach number 1 again.... wants to win a few more majors.... that slice needs to improve.

Don't understand why people are so defensive about his slice backhand... it's ugly, but more importantly... it's weak

Don't see why he couldn't improve on that slice with a little time and good coaching

 

[WayneCM]

Yes, he has reached number 1, yes he won a major..... it isn't because of his slice backhand... it's despite of his 1 hander.

If he ever wants to reach number 1 again.... wants to win a few more majors.... that slice needs to improve.

Don't understand why people are so defensive about his slice backhand... it's ugly, but more importantly... it's weak

Don't see why he couldn't improve on that slice with a little time and good coaching

Bein a fan of roddicks the harsh reality is no. 1 ain't gonna happen unless federer obtains a fetish 4 lyin down in tournaments... He's still the man who does it everytime...

 

[Alafter]

we're not really obsessed with that slice. you are, right down to the form.

 

[Winner_DownTheLine]

That must be the ugliest 1 handed slice I've ever seen. Who the heck taught him that. It's a short ugly stroke with little follow through. The results is a soft floater that stis up after hitting the ground.

I can' believe a player of his rank would have that kind of slice backhand.

Must be the Babalot. If only he switched to a PS85". That way, it would force him to follow through... his backhand would be better than Edberg's

I agree with you, that's one UGLY 1 handed slice.

 

[callitout]

Gasquet, beautiful player with no results. Seems to the preferred mode on this board.

 

[alienhamster]

That must be the ugliest 1 handed slice I've ever seen. Who the heck taught him that. It's a short ugly stroke with little follow through. The results is a soft floater that stis up after hitting the ground.

I can' believe a player of his rank would have that kind of slice backhand.

Must be the Babalot. If only he switched to a PS85". That way, it would force him to follow through... his backhand would be better than Edberg's

No, No, NO. You are clearly missing his strategy with this shot. If you watched him play Indy or on grass this year, he has developed much more variety on the slice backhand in terms of its depth, angle, and stick. The "form" you're wanting to see does manifest moreso when he tries a more biting slice, one that moves thru the court very low and with some pace. He hit this shot A LOT at Indy.

Against Hewitt, he intentionally was giving the slice more air so that it would float and sit up on Hewitt near the baseline. Hewitt tends to make way more errors when you break up the rhythm of a rally and force him to create pace on shots. Roddick's been doing this more and more against Hewitt in the last few matches, and it makes a huge difference.

Roddick has one of the most effective slices on tour now, no question. It looks weird, but so what?

 

[WayneCM]

Roddick seems 2 put more thought and prep into matches which is a very good sign... If he reaches fed i hope he'll play a smart game and make fed work..

 

[shawn1122]

More like Connors does the thinking and prep, while Roddick just does what he is told.

 

[textbook strokes]

No small merit for the player that is able to follow a coach's plan.

 

[newnuse]

No, No, NO. You are clearly missing his strategy with this shot. If you watched him play Indy or on grass this year, he has developed much more variety on the slice backhand in terms of its depth, angle, and stick. The "form" you're wanting to see does manifest moreso when he tries a more biting slice, one that moves thru the court very low and with some pace. He hit this shot A LOT at Indy.

Against Hewitt, he intentionally was giving the slice more air so that it would float and sit up on Hewitt near the baseline. Hewitt tends to make way more errors when you break up the rhythm of a rally and force him to create pace on shots. Roddick's been doing this more and more against Hewitt in the last few matches, and it makes a huge difference.

Roddick has one of the most effective slices on tour now, no question. It looks weird, but so what?

Do you really think a sitter draws more errors than a hard biting slice that skids? The slice shot is the change of pace from the usual topsin. I've never heard of a pro intentionally hitting floaters to throw their opponents off. Guys at the pro level are too good for that.

You are playing into Hewitt's game plan if you are Roddick. Roddick trying to trade groundstrokes, out lasting Hewitt from the baseline is not going to happen. I don't think your theory of soft slices makes much sense.

 

[newnuse]

we're not really obsessed with that slice. you are, right down to the form.

Nice contribution there buddy

 

[Bottle Rocket]

You are playing into Hewitt's game plan if you are Roddick. Roddick trying to trade groundstrokes, out lasting Hewitt from the baseline is not going to happen. I don't think your theory of soft slices makes much sense.

You should check out the match again... He won most of the long rallies, including the longest of the match. He hit more offensive shots consistantly against hewitt. Hewitts lack of pace really helped Roddick.

 

[imsoaznwashed]

how often do you think tour pro's hit against a backhand that bounces up more than stays low? they aren't used to hitting against crappy shots..and that 1hbh of roddick's seems crappy, but if he uses it against tournament players, they aren't used to it and i really dont know where im going with this.

 

[newnuse]

how often do you think tour pro's hit against a backhand that bounces up more than stays low? they aren't used to hitting against crappy shots..and that 1hbh of roddick's seems crappy, but if he uses it against tournament players, they aren't used to it and i really dont know where im going with this.

By this logic, I would kick Hewitt's arse

 

[newnuse]

You should check out the match again... He won most of the long rallies, including the longest of the match. He hit more offensive shots consistantly against hewitt. Hewitts lack of pace really helped Roddick.

I agree, he did win some long rallies. Not sure if it was most, but he did win quite a few. But do you really think he beats Hewitt with that strategy... of outlasting him from the baseline? That's not Roddick's game. That's Hewitt's game.

 

[warreng]

Do you really think a sitter draws more errors than a hard biting slice that skids? The slice shot is the change of pace from the usual topsin. I've never heard of a pro intentionally hitting floaters to throw their opponents off. Guys at the pro level are too good for that.

You are playing into Hewitt's game plan if you are Roddick. Roddick trying to trade groundstrokes, out lasting Hewitt from the baseline is not going to happen. I don't think your theory of soft slices makes much sense.

HELLO! Chang '89? French open? Remember that? Or are you too young to?

Just kidding...

 

[newnuse]

HELLO! Chang '89? French open? Remember that? Or are you too young to?

Just kidding...

You talking about that ONE underhanded serve he threw in??

Okay you got me.... a floater every other set.... not every backhand slice

That was classic btw. Thought that big vein on Lendl's forehead was going to explode after that.

 

[warreng]

You talking about that ONE underhanded serve he threw in??

Okay you got me.... a floater every other set.... not every backhand slice

That was classic btw. Thought that big vein on Lendl's forehead was going to explode after that.

Ah, so you do remember...

Chang played some of the finest moonball tennis to win that French...

Reading this Roddick thread though, watching on TV, he really doesn't drive through the slice as much as he just cuts at the ball. (Evidenced by the amount of times he whacks his racquet on the court when he does it)

He might be able to hit a more penetrating one if punches it more towards his target. He DOES pop it up a little too much for a player his level.

I'm a fan of Roddick's and I think it's a real travesty that he doesn't really have the tools to back up his ridiculous serves and forehands. If the dude would learn how to hit good approach slice AND figure out how to hit that first volley well, he could very well bring back the S & V.

I dunno. Maybe he's too slow? Mentally and physically?

 

[superman1]

His slice works. It's consistent and it's an easy shot that allows him to catch his breath and get back into position. Federer is the only guy that really employs the slice as a weapon, so why single out Roddick?

 

[newnuse]

Warreng,

Don't get me wrong, I'm not bashing Roddick. I used to hate all the hype that surrounded him. It caught up to him and he got exposed. I think he has learned his lesson and is really trying to improve. I respect that. I like what Connors is doing with Roddick.

He does cut at the ball like you said, which results in the ball popping up. If he develops a more penetrating slice, it would be a pretty decent approach shot.

He should take a lesson or two from his buddy, Andre's wife. She had a pretty decent slice backhand as I recall.

In general, I'm shocked at how poor some of the pro's techniques are. These guys/girls get the best coaches and training since they were little kids. How in the heck do you go through 10-15 years of training and not have a competent slice, volley, 2nd serve ...etc....

 

[dmvprof]

Steffi made a career out of the slice.

 

[Phillip=Tennis guy]

That must be the ugliest 1 handed slice I've ever seen. Who the heck taught him that. It's a short ugly stroke with little follow through. The results is a soft floater that stis up after hitting the ground.

I can' believe a player of his rank would have that kind of slice backhand.

Must be the Babalot. If only he switched to a PS85". That way, it would force him to follow through... his backhand would be better than Edberg's

His backhand is alright to me. Seems like it contains alot of power even though it might look messed up.

 

[newnuse]

BTW, it's possible to develop a good 1 handed slice if you hit a 2 hander. Mats Wilander used to hit NOTHING BUT 2 handed backhand topsin. He worked on his 1 handed slice over the offseason 1 year. It was a pretty decent slice.

 

[stormholloway]

It's not that effective. He uses it when players approach the net which is totally useless. This can't be argued as I saw him do it against Hewitt and other opponents earlier. If a player is approaching the net he needs a topspin passing shot. It's poor strategy.

Roddick is just a serve, with legs. His serve is his only quality stroke.

 

[siber222000]

yes... roddick slice is ugly as hell... but i have to admit, i was surprised by roddick down the line shots yesterday... hewitt need to play little bit more agressive lol...

 

[warreng]

Warreng,
In general, I'm shocked at how poor some of the pro's techniques are. These guys/girls get the best coaches and training since they were little kids. How in the heck do you go through 10-15 years of training and not have a competent slice, volley, 2nd serve ...etc....

Yeah. It's what's wrong with grassroots tennis these days. Kids at my club are just being taught how to bash away at the ball. Makes me sick to see these young kids with such little strength hitting with severe western forehand and backhand grips. How the heck can you learn how to volley or hit a good slice if a basic continental grip feels weird to you? Coaches are as much to blame as racquet technology, in my opinion.

 

[Dopke]

Yeah. It's what's wrong with grassroots tennis these days. Kids at my club are just being taught how to bash away at the ball. Makes me sick to see these young kids with such little strength hitting with severe western forehand and backhand grips. How the heck can you learn how to volley or hit a good slice if a basic continental grip feels weird to you? Coaches are as much to blame as racquet technology, in my opinion.

I don't know what club you go to, but the club I go to, the coaches teach volleys and slices. Forehand and backhand they teach, but they let us choose what we want. If we want to use severe western they let us and help us with it- but when it comes to volleys and slices, they teach it one way, the correct way, the only way.

 

[warreng]

I don't know what club you go to, but the club I go to, the coaches teach volleys and slices. Forehand and backhand they teach, but they let us choose what we want. If we want to use severe western they let us and help us with it- but when it comes to volleys and slices, they teach it one way, the correct way, the only way.

WELL NOW! There is hope after all!

I sure hope this next generation of kids mimic Federer more than they do anyone else...

 

[kaiotic]

hate to say it, but Roddick is looking quite solid... his forehands were blazing, and the low number of unforced errors will get him far. and, he's moving quite well.

i am just excited about Fed v. Blake tonight.
It's going to be a gretamatch. both possessing beautiful strokes.. Blake is a killer service returner.. unlike srichapan and other pansies who taps the second serves back to the server.

 

[clayman2000]

It's not that effective. He uses it when players approach the net which is totally useless. This can't be argued as I saw him do it against Hewitt and other opponents earlier. If a player is approaching the net he needs a topspin passing shot. It's poor strategy.

Roddick is just a serve, with legs. His serve is his only quality stroke.

wat u just said shows u know nothing about tennis...his forhand can be very very effective...in my opinion he made the semis so far becouse his forhand not his serve...the old roddick would be missing all the forhands that he is putting away in 1 shot....and his slice backhand is ugly...but like everyone has said it gets the job done well....this it because he keeps it deep...thats the key see most likely if he placed it lower (in roddicks case) it would porabaly be less deep and more attackable

 

[Vamz]

I think this thread is absolutely amazing.

1. How can you honestly compare any of your swings with Roddick's? I am not saying that any of you aren't accomplished tennis players, but he's a top 10 tennis player in the world. Can any of you 4.5 league tennis players even get a game off the guy with his "ugly" "awful" "uneffective" slice backhand. Even some of us ex-Div.1 tennis players. I mean have any of you played a futures/challenger event?

2. His coaching as been some of the best in the world, so I don't know how you can argue with Connors, Gilbert, and the other guy (Benhabiles or something like that). These guys were very talented when they were playing, and they have coached the best. How can you honestly say they don't know what they are doing when it comes to his slice?

3. Ask any pro player or talented coach and they will tell you the hardest ball in tennis to hit is a ball the bounces up high without any pace on it that lands deep, it's hard to attack, and it's hard to put it in a place that isn't easily attackable. (Also the backhand overhead )

Different players are physically strong in different areas of their body, roddick doesn't really hit this shot with his arm or shoulders, but from his hips/legs. Watch the movement and adjustments he makes. Fed's are his wrists, you can see how he can still hit a big ball even when it's behind him. This is what brings out stylistic differences.

While I agree with the many of the posters that it is ugly, I am sure there is a reason for it. Trust his coaches, even if you Roddick haters think he is a moron.


P.S. The modern game is going away from volleys and touch and more to power groundstrokes. As sad as I am to admit it, it's true. I think most will agree with this, I am not saying volleys shouldn't be taught, but they aren't the focus for a reason. Federer isn't The Norm, he is The Exception.

 

[alienhamster]

Do you really think a sitter draws more errors than a hard biting slice that skids? The slice shot is the change of pace from the usual topsin. I've never heard of a pro intentionally hitting floaters to throw their opponents off. Guys at the pro level are too good for that.

Against Hewitt? Yes. It's the right play. Make him create pace. If the ball skids a bit, Hewitt usually seems to do better with it. Remember: the guy plays great on grass, where you get low balls and a lot of pace to work with.

You are playing into Hewitt's game plan if you are Roddick. Roddick trying to trade groundstrokes, out lasting Hewitt from the baseline is not going to happen.

That's not the strategy. It's being consistent, mixing up the strokes during the rally to keep Hewitt out of rhythm, then pulling the trigger with the kill shot when you have a clear opening.

I don't think your theory of soft slices makes much sense.

Ummm, it seemed to work during the rallies . . .

I feel like folks are confusing the types of slices Roddick hits. The defensive one will sit up often (though not always). The floater can be thrown in during a rally, as well as one that sticks more. (Once again, HE WAS HITTING THEM THAT WAY AT INDY for the most part, especially on net approaches.) The only criticism I agree with in this thread is the slice when an opponent is coming into net. He definitely needs to use the topspin as the default for a passing shot, dipper, or lob there.

 

[newnuse]

I think this thread is absolutely amazing.

1. How can you honestly compare any of your swings with Roddick's? I am not saying that any of you aren't accomplished tennis players, but he's a top 10 tennis player in the world. Can any of you 4.5 league tennis players even get a game off the guy with his "ugly" "awful" "uneffective" slice backhand. Even some of us ex-Div.1 tennis players. I mean have any of you played a futures/challenger event?

2. His coaching as been some of the best in the world, so I don't know how you can argue with Connors, Gilbert, and the other guy (Benhabiles or something like that). These guys were very talented when they were playing, and they have coached the best. How can you honestly say they don't know what they are doing when it comes to his slice?

.

Okay it's official.. might as well shutdown the board.... how dare us comment about a pro player... we are not worthy.

I'm not Stephen Hawking, but I do know that 2+2=4

Anybody who has spent enough time watching/playing tennis knows the difference between a good stroke and a bad stroke. If you can't it's your problem.

 

[AngeloDS]

It's pretty ugly but works well as he can hit the short slice at his opponents feet and the deep slice. Though, he throws up that stupid floating slice sometimes.

Though, I agree it's ugly. I think he was trying to disguise it (like Andre Agassi disguising his dropshot) but failed miserably at it.

 

[superman1]

Maybe he doesn't change his slice because there is absolutely no reason to, except to distract him from the more important aspects of the game, such as winning. He does what he needs to do to win, and so far it is working.

 

[imsoaznwashed]

By this logic, I would kick Hewitt's arse

but it works because it's a piece of crap shot, right? aren't the pros more used to deep penetrating slices? =T

 

[newnuse]

but it works because it's a piece of crap shot, right? aren't the pros more used to deep penetrating slices? =T

Okay, I'm going to quit my day job and try out for the ATP. I can hit floaters with the best of them

 

[35ft6]

It may be ugly, but it's a nice addition to his game. His backhand is a loopy semi-floater even when he has time, he definitely can't hit a penetrating backhand when on the move. His slice backhand, when he's stretched, is way less attackable I think, plus it give him more time to re-establish good position.

 

[imsoaznwashed]

Okay, I'm going to quit my day job and try out for the ATP. I can hit floaters with the best of them

go for it, but i bet your 1hbh will look and work better. =)