The 10 best shots in tennis history

[drwood]

Please list in your opinion, the 10 best shots in tennis history (in no order).

No hating, please

I'll start:

Roger Federer - Forehand
Andre Agassi - Return of serve
John McEnroe - Half-volley (service line to net)
Roger Federer - Half-volley (baseline to service line)
Stefan Edberg - Backhand volley
Pete Sampras - 1st Serve
Pete Sampras - 2nd Serve
Pete Sampras - Running forehand
Andre Agassi - Backhand
Andre Agassi - Topspin lob

Love to hear other's opinions -- my list is subject to change if there are some really good suggestions I've forgotten.

 

[TheMagicianOfPrecision]

Please list in your opinion, the 10 best shots in tennis history (in no order).

No hating, please

I'll start:

Roger Federer - Forehand
Andre Agassi - Return of serve
John McEnroe - Half-volley (service line to net)
Roger Federer - Half-volley (baseline to service line)
Stefan Edberg - Backhand volley
Pete Sampras - 1st Serve
Pete Sampras - 2nd Serve
Pete Sampras - Running forehand
Andre Agassi - Backhand
Andre Agassi - Topspin lob

Love to hear other's opinions -- my list is subject to change if there are some really good suggestions I've forgotten.

Great thread as always drwood! And i have to say that i agree with each and everyone...Id like to ad smash after the ball has bounced, my pick is Agassi, he never missed those!

 

[drwood]

Great thread as always drwood! And i have to say that i agree with each and everyone...Id like to ad smash after the ball has bounced, my pick is Agassi, he never missed those!

Thanks! . Overhead was a tough choice between Agassi, Sampras and Federer for me, so I didn't list it in my top 10.

 

[GasquetGOAT]

Here is my list:twisted:

King Rafa - Forehand
King Rafa - Return of serve
King Rafa - Half-volley (service line to net)
King Rafa - Half-volley (baseline to service line)
King Rafa - Backhand volley
Rafa Nadal- 1st Serve
Rafa Nadal- 2nd Serve
Rafa Nadal- Running forehand
Rafa Nadal- Backhand
Rafa Nadal- Topspin lob

Rafa - Knees
Rafa - Tiredness
Rafa - Exhaustedness
Rafa - Un_100%_ness
Rafa - Excusesness

 

[jjrl2004]

Fed - drop shot!

 

[Deleted member 21996]

Please list in your opinion, the 10 best shots in tennis history (in no order).

No hating, please

I'll start:

Roger Federer - Forehand
Andre Agassi - Return of serve
John McEnroe - Half-volley (service line to net)
Roger Federer - Half-volley (baseline to service line)
Stefan Edberg - Backhand volley
Pete Sampras - 1st Serve
Pete Sampras - 2nd Serve
Pete Sampras - Running forehand
Andre Agassi - Backhand
Andre Agassi - Topspin lob

Love to hear other's opinions -- my list is subject to change if there are some really good suggestions I've forgotten.

i have had several disagreements with you but this list is mostly untackable...

maybe the first serve option could be subject of scrutiny as far as i believe, by considering Goran and Becker

and also the half volley options, where there were many great volleyers in the past for me to consider one player (any player ftm) from the 2000's.

but still a solid list fo sure!

 

[TheMagicianOfPrecision]

Here is my list:twisted:

King Rafa - Forehand
King Rafa - Return of serve
King Rafa - Half-volley (service line to net)
King Rafa - Half-volley (baseline to service line)
King Rafa - Backhand volley
Rafa Nadal- 1st Serve
Rafa Nadal- 2nd Serve
Rafa Nadal- Running forehand
Rafa Nadal- Backhand
Rafa Nadal- Topspin lob

Rafa - Knees
Rafa - Tiredness
Rafa - Exhaustedness
Rafa - Un_100%_ness
Rafa - Excusesness

Lol, u my friend are a maniac

 

[jevonclyde]

Sabatweenthelegs

 

[TheMagicianOfPrecision]

Thanks! . Overhead was a tough choice between Agassi, Sampras and Federer for me, so I didn't list it in my top 10.

Maybe u could have added who read the game the best? Who could anticipate where the next shot would be? Id say Wilander/Fed at that category.

 

[Deleted member 21996]

Sabatweenthelegs

the sabatweener was a great shot as far as artistic impression goes, but the original credit goes to Mr Guillermo Villas, the "Grand willie"

 

[drwood]

Maybe u could have added who read the game the best? Who could anticipate where the next shot would be? Id say Wilander/Fed at that category.

Yeah, I limited it to just shots, which doesn't take into account VERY important facets including physical conditioning, mental toughness, clutchness, anticipation, movement, court speed.

I agree that Fed is great at anticipation; McEnroe and Edberg were great anticipators at the net.

 

[フェデラー]

what about sampras overhead?

 

[BTURNER]

Connors has the best Backhand. McEnroe had the best forehand volley. Lendl had the best forehand in general. Sampras the best overhead. Now of course this topic is in the wrong room. There are battalion of more knowledgeable poster ready to mention the Rocket's volley, Rosewall's backhand, Tilden's serve etc.

 

[FedFan_2009]

Another useless thread. Who cares who has some individual "best" shot. All that matters is who the BEST overall package!

 

[drwood]

Another useless thread. Who cares who has some individual "best" shot. All that matters is who the BEST overall package!

The best shots matter b/c they are the shots that should be emulated and appreciated. This is NOT a GOAT thread...stop trolling.

 

[drwood]

Connors has the best Backhand. McEnroe had the best forehand volley. Lendl had the best forehand in general. Sampras the best overhead. Now of course this topic is in the wrong room. There are battalion of more knowledgeable poster ready to mention the Rocket's volley, Rosewall's backhand, Tilden's serve etc.

Not in the wrong room, b/c Federer is on the list...

 

[Fedfan1234]

This is what I think

1 Federer - Backhand flick / half volley
2 Federer - Forehand(Slice, top spin, whatever)
3 Nadal - Top spin Backhand
4 Sampras - Volley(Same as Federer, but pete had to play it more)
5 Federer - Slice Backhand
6 Federer - Backhand smash
7 Sampras - (dunk) Smash
8 Agassi - Return of serve
9 Safin - Flat Backhand down the line
10 Karlovic - 1st Serve

 

[TheMagicianOfPrecision]

Connors has the best Backhand. McEnroe had the best forehand volley. Lendl had the best forehand in general. Sampras the best overhead. Now of course this topic is in the wrong room. There are battalion of more knowledgeable poster ready to mention the Rocket's volley, Rosewall's backhand, Tilden's serve etc.

Connors had the best backhand??? Are you talking as a groundstroke or volley?? Either way its crazy imo

 

[film1]

Great thread as always drwood! And i have to say that i agree with each and everyone...Id like to ad smash after the ball has bounced, my pick is Agassi, he never missed those!

I agree with a few of these for the best strokes but this is the best shot:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHk3KEGF5mI

 

[Mkie7]

Here is my list:twisted:

King Rafa - Forehand
King Rafa - Return of serve
King Rafa - Half-volley (service line to net)
King Rafa - Half-volley (baseline to service line)
King Rafa - Backhand volley
Rafa Nadal- 1st Serve
Rafa Nadal- 2nd Serve
Rafa Nadal- Running forehand
Rafa Nadal- Backhand
Rafa Nadal- Topspin lob

Rafa - Knees
Rafa - Tiredness
Rafa - Exhaustedness
Rafa - Un_100%_ness
Rafa - Excusesness

Too Funny!!!!

 

[Arafel]

Connors had the best backhand??? Are you talking as a groundstroke or volley?? Either way its crazy imo

Why? It's certainly up there, and at least the equal of Agassi's. I'd give Connors the return of serve over Agassi. Agassi could be more aggressive with the return, but he swung for the fences and got aced a lot. Connors was much better at getting a racquet on the ball and getting it back in play and forcing the server to make a second shot.

 

[ChrisCrocker]

Roger Federer - Forehand
Andre Agassi - Return of serve
Pete Sampras - Half-volley
Stefan Edberg - Volley
Pete Sampras - Karlovic
Pete Sampras - 2nd Serve
Pete Sampras - Running forehand
Andre Agassi - Backhand
Andre Agassi - Lleyton Hewitt

 

[dropshot winner]

Roger Federer - Forehand
Andre Agassi - Return of serve
Pete Sampras - Half-volley
Stefan Edberg - Volley
Pete Sampras - Karlovic
Pete Sampras - 2nd Serve
Pete Sampras - Running forehand
Andre Agassi - Backhand
Andre Agassi - Lleyton Hewitt

I didn't know that Agassi had the best Hewitt .

 

[bluetrain4]

I'd venture to day that Fed's return during his prime was better than Agassi's. Agassi is of course known for his return and he's a perfectly logical choice. But, Agassi was really the best at hitting a winner or unreturnable off the serve. Fed was incredibly skilled at that as well, but beyond that he got more returns back so that the point started in at least a neutral position so his opponent couldn't attack the first ball. Overall return game, I might vote for Fed. Of course, one could argue that Agassi returned against some of the biggest servers ever.

 

[shaysrebelII]

the sampras dunk has gotta be #1...

 

[shaysrebelII]

I didn't know that Agassi had the best Hewitt .

or that sampras had the best karlovic. lol

 

[dragonfire]

this is stupid thread, OP, what is the criteria for 'best'

 

[veritech]

Roger Federer - Forehand
Andre Agassi - Return of serve
Pete Sampras - Half-volley
Stefan Edberg - Volley
Pete Sampras - Karlovic
Pete Sampras - 2nd Serve
Pete Sampras - Running forehand
Andre Agassi - Backhand
Andre Agassi - Lleyton Hewitt

I didn't know that Agassi had the best Hewitt .

or that sampras had the best karlovic. lol

i lol'ed. that's hilarious

 

[rosenstar]

Why? It's certainly up there, and at least the equal of Agassi's. I'd give Connors the return of serve over Agassi. Agassi could be more aggressive with the return, but he swung for the fences and got aced a lot. Connors was much better at getting a racquet on the ball and getting it back in play and forcing the server to make a second shot.

I wouldn't give connors the best backhand, but it's up there for sure. Agassi's return was incredible, and he had to deal with much bigger serves than Connors did. I watched Andre return a 122mph from at least a foot over the baseline. That requires incredible coordination. I cannot believe that Connors could do that.

 

[ubermeyer]

Please list in your opinion, the 10 best shots in tennis history (in no order).

No hating, please

I'll start:

Roger Federer - Forehand
Andre Agassi - Return of serve
John McEnroe - Half-volley (service line to net)
Roger Federer - Half-volley (baseline to service line)
Stefan Edberg - Backhand volley
Pete Sampras - 1st Serve
Pete Sampras - 2nd Serve
Pete Sampras - Running forehand
Andre Agassi - Backhand
Andre Agassi - Topspin lob

Love to hear other's opinions -- my list is subject to change if there are some really good suggestions I've forgotten.

I agree with all of these except 1st Serve??? Obviously Karlovic has a better 1st serve than Pete Sampras!!!

 

[sliceboy33]

Serve (overall) - Sampras
Serve (1st) - Pancho Gonzalez; Ivanisevic; Roddick
Serve (2nd) - Sampras
Serve (slice) - McEnroe
Serve (kick/topspin) - Edberg
Return of serve - Connors; Agassi
Forehand - Lendl; Federer
Forehand (running) - Sampras
Forehand (inside-out) - Courier; Gonzalez
Forehand (super topspin) - Bruguera; Nadal
Backhand (topspin 1-handed) - Budge; Kuerten
Backhand (topspin 2-handed) - Borg; Agassi
Backhand (topspin 2-handed, jumping) - Rios; Safin
Backhand (slice) - Rosewall; Federer
Volley (forehand) - Newcombe; Rafter
Volley (backhand) - Edberg; McEnroe
Half-volley (net) - McEnroe
Half-volley (baseline) - Federer
Overhead - Smith; Sampras
Overhand (backhand) - Rafter
Approach shot (chip-n´-charge forehand) - Rafter
Approach shot (chip-n´-charge backhand) - McEnroe
Diving shot (net) - Becker
Diving shot (baseline) - Meligeni
Footwork (overall) - Federer
Footspeed - Chang; Nadal
Dropshot - Manolo Santana; Santoro
Lob - Rosewall; Riggs
Trick shots - Bahrami; Santoro

 

[Xuxa Kuerten]

Serve (overall) - Sampras
Serve (1st) - Pancho Gonzalez; Ivanisevic; Roddick
Serve (2nd) - Sampras
Serve (slice) - McEnroe
Serve (kick/topspin) - Edberg
Return of serve - Connors; Agassi
Forehand - Lendl; Federer
Forehand (running) - Sampras
Forehand (inside-out) - Courier; Gonzalez
Forehand (super topspin) - Bruguera; Nadal
Backhand (topspin 1-handed) - Budge; Kuerten
Backhand (topspin 2-handed) - Borg; Agassi
Backhand (topspin 2-handed, jumping) - Rios; Safin
Backhand (slice) - Rosewall; Federer
Volley (forehand) - Newcombe; Rafter
Volley (backhand) - Edberg; McEnroe
Half-volley (net) - McEnroe
Half-volley (baseline) - Federer
Overhead - Smith; Sampras
Overhand (backhand) - Rafter
Approach shot (chip-n´-charge forehand) - Rafter
Approach shot (chip-n´-charge backhand) - McEnroe
Diving shot (net) - Becker
Diving shot (baseline) - Meligeni
Footwork (overall) - Federer
Footspeed - Chang; Nadal
Dropshot - Manolo Santana; Santoro
Lob - Rosewall; Riggs
Trick shots - Bahrami; Santoro

Great list! I couldn't agree more.

 

[grafselesfan]

Pete Sampras serve
Goran Ivanisevic serve
Pancho Gonzales serve
Roger Federer forehand
Ivan Lendl forehand
Stefan Edberg volley
John McEnroe volley
Jimmy Connors return of serve
Andre Agassi backhand
Don Budge backhand

You said to pick 10, not neccessarily 1 of each category so I did. I dont believe anyone hit a better lob or half volley for example than these shots.

 

[grafselesfan]

As for the women the 10 best shots in history:

Graf forehand
Seles return of serve
Serena Williams serve
Graf serve
Venus Williams serve
Navratilova backhand volley
Evert backhand
Davenport backhand
Davenport return of serve
Serena return of serve

Honorable mentions: Connolly forehand, Seles forehand, Connolly backhand, Seles backhand, Henin backhand, Graf overhead, Navratilova overhead

 

[dropshot winner]

Open-era only:

Forehand: Federer
Backhand: Nalbandian
Return of serve (agressive): Agassi
Return of serve (defensive): 2005-06 Federer
Half-volley: Sampras
Volleys (consistency): Edberg
Volleys (technically): McEnroe
1st serve: Karlovic, followed by Ivanisevic
2nd serve: Sampras
Slice: Federer
Lob: Hewitt

 

[lessthanjake]

Serve (1st) - Karlovic
Serve (2nd) - Sampras
Serve (slice) - Goran
Serve (kick/topspin) - Edberg
Return of serve - Agassi
Forehand - Federer
Forehand (running) - Sampras
Forehand (inside-out) - Courier
Forehand (super topspin) - Nadal
Backhand (topspin 1-handed) - Kuerten
Backhand (topspin 2-handed) - Borg
Backhand (slice) - Rosewall
Volley (forehand) - Rafter
Volley (backhand) - Edberg
Half-volley (net) - McEnroe
Half-volley (baseline) - Federer
Overhead - Sampras
Overhand (backhand) - Rafter
Approach shot (chip-n´-charge forehand) - Rafter
Approach shot (chip-n´-charge backhand) - McEnroe
Footwork (overall) - Federer
Footspeed - Nadal
Dropshot - Santoro
Lob - Rosewall

 

[janipyt05]

Roger Federer/Nalbandian/Safin - Forehand
Andre Agassi/ Djokovic/Murray - Return of serve
John McEnroe/Federer - Half-volley
Stefan Edberg - Backhand volley
Karlovic - 1st Serve
Pete Sampras - 2nd Serve
Rafa Nadal - Running forehand
Nalbandian - Backhand
Hewitt - Topspin lob
Ivananisevic/Taylor Dent/Rafter - Serve and Volley
Henman - Chip and charge

 

[sh@de]

half volley - mcenroe / federer
volley - edberg
serves - sampras
forehand - federer
backhand - safin / nalbandian

 

[dragonfire]

federer's forehand is too inconsistent nowadays, it can be great or simple

 

[helloworld]

Federer's half-volley is the best in history??? What are these people smoking?? Damn...

 

[dropshot winner]

Federer's half-volley is the best in history??? What are these people smoking?? Damn...

Federer doesn't have the best classical half-volley, but he can take the balls extremly early on the forehand, and sometimes backhand.

Crushing the ball right after the bounce with a swinging volley is also considered a half-volley, and very few can do that as good as Federer.

Here are some examples (both kind of half-volleys):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Oy0VrM4tLw&fmt=18
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5E3Bcz13DNk&fmt=18
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIOplnzi6jA&fmt=18