I like the FHDTL off the Verdasco slice BHDTL the bestNadal passing shot in the 4th set tb in the wimbledon 08 final
His serve motion is quite fluid and his BH is pretty nice looking for a 2-hander. But none of his shots are GOAT contenders for aesthetic beauty. He's above average but not the best in that department.And what would Nole be offering in this department?
Have to disagree on this article of faith. Sampras had more power on his serve, but his serve motion looked quite utilitarian and basic. Compare that to Federer, who has a smoother windup and just snaps through it with his entire body like a liquid whip.Thank you for your opinion.
It is generally considered an article of faith that Sampras serve motion is more fluid, more aesthetic and more effective than Federer's. And the 2nd serves are not even comparable.
Agreed. I don't find anything about Pete's hunched over, net charging game "aesthetic". Effective, sure.Have to disagree on this article of faith. Sampras had more power on his serve, but his serve motion looked quite utilitarian and basic. Compare that to Federer, who has a smoother windup and just snaps through it with his entire body like a liquid whip.
Sampras had a better serve obviously though. And was never afraid to blast his 2nd serve harder than his 1st.
To each their own, anyway. It's all subjective.
Might have to go with prime Simon regulation jump backhand.
It's fun to watch regardless. Because no one aside from the occasional Dustin or Raonic still play like that.Agreed. I don't find anything about Pete's hunched over, net charging game "aesthetic". Effective, sure.
Might have to go with prime Simon regulation jump backhand.
It's fun to watch regardless. Because no one aside from the occasional Dustin or Raonic still play like that.
At least Raonic back in his prime 2015-17. Before the injuries he played an almost exclusively net-rushing game and broke the top 3 with it. Since then he's tried to be a baseline bot and it isn't working for him.Brown comes up with the goods occasionally, but Raonic isn't in the same category.
At least Raonic back in his prime 2015-17. Before the injuries he played an almost exclusively net-rushing game and broke the top 3 with it. Since then he's tried to be a baseline bot and it isn't working for him.
Boris Becker's serve?
Have to disagree on this article of faith. Sampras had more power on his serve, but his serve motion looked quite utilitarian and basic. Compare that to Federer, who has a smoother windup and just snaps through it with his entire body like a liquid whip.
Sampras had a better serve obviously though. And was never afraid to blast his 2nd serve harder than his 1st.
To each their own, anyway. It's all subjective.
Maybe I'm just used to seeing every coach in Canada and the US teach Pete's serve technique, resulting in tons of copycats. Sampras's serve motion has sort of become the "default swing" for big servers, especially in North American college tennis.Great post. I'm just surprised by the bold. Sampras' serve was anything but utilitarian or basic. The whole bend over sideways, the way he kept the motion on the left side of the head going straight up with his elbows and shoulders - was unique as it got more kinetic path and power. Sampras' famous bend - from a rear ward back scrunch, to a forward back scrunch, while arching his back downward - keeping his hand down and thereby allowing his frame to stay down long enough as he drove upward to generate tremendous kick, swing and pace - is studies even still.
NO ONE in the history of game COMBINED aesthetics, technique and form (leg drive, twist, move back and forth and upwards/downwards) better than Sampras on the serve. A lot of the modern day servers INCLUDING Federer, Raonic and Roddick/Isner - freely admit Sampras' influence on his serve.
Sampras was NOT that tall, nor was he very big/strong in any way. He did not have the technology (poly/hybrid strings) that modern day servers have. Yet his serve was one of the most deadly in the history of the game. He could be construed as the father of the modern day serve. It has to be the greatest shot in the history of this sport followed by Federer's forehand IMO.