The most beautiful picture in Tennis history

[Standaa]

You seem to be quite familiar with the technicalities of Fed’s BH - this one from earlier is interesting don’t you think?

It can’t be a topspin.

But it doesn’t look his usual slice either - the backswing looks more like Graf’s.

What do you think?

Why do you think the shot in the picture can’t be a topspin BH? It looks like a finishing point of the backswing right before he starts to swing forward. If you look at his right arm, it’s flexed. It’s the same as in this video, if you put it at 0.5x speed, you can see the exact same stance at 0:07.

 

[Deleted member 742196]

Why do you think the shot in the picture can’t be a topspin BH? It looks like a finishing point of the backswing right before he starts to swing forward. If you look at his right arm, it’s flexed. It’s the same as in this video, if you put it at 0.5x speed, you can see the exact same stance at 0:07.

Sorry, extremely poor phrasing. Blame @Azure for distracting me with moobs.

I meant to ask if you thought it was a top spin. It’s not a high def capture angle we often get to see with the Federer BH.

But you’ve already answered it, including footage. Makes total sense!

Thanks!

 

[Azure]

Never got the appeal. Her left arm looks weird after the follow-through. I much prefer how Fed keeps his arm straight and lets it go behind his back. I also prefer the way he prepares and the way he keeps the head of his racquet high and upright during his backswing to what Henin does.

Federer's is more lucid for sure but Henin's is more like Wawa's. I always thought Henin opened up and rotated her torso for the shot in the perfect way. Forget the left hand. Look at the arc her backhand makes. It's perfect.

 

[Azure]

We’ll never know who the on court goat is.

This is an off court GOAT approach.

P.S.
Did you just refer to Federer as a “creature”?

Mythical creature? God's creature? All positives my friend I likd feddy boy. I like djoking too.

 

[Azure]

This is a good depiction in slo-mo

 

[Deleted member 742196]

This is a good depiction in slo-mo

That kinetic chain is a thing of beauty.

 

[Deleted member 742196]

LOL

Sounds pervy.

“I love your kinetic chain”

@paranoidandroid

 

[Deleted member 743561]

This is a good depiction in slo-mo

Haven't seen her play live but the BH mechanics remind me vaguely of Gasquet, if we're drawing ATP comparisons.

 

[Azure]

That kinetic chain is a thing of beauty.

One should consider her height too. Federer at around 6'2 is at the perfect height. Henin at 5'6 is not. All the balls to her backhand were well over shoulder height. It was amazing to see her neutralise those vicious balls to her. We know the difficulty Federer has when the same happens to him.

 

[Azure]

Haven't seen her play live but the BH mechanics remind me vaguely of Gasquet, if we're drawing ATP comparisons.

I have so many taped WTA matches! I miss the competition and variety ttoday. Until 07 was for me the best time to watch women's tennis.

Gasquet's backhand again does not have the sting. It's aesthetically beautiful but not as effective as Fed's or Wawa's

 

[Deleted member 743561]

I have so many taped WTA matches! I miss the competition and variety ttoday. Until 07 was for me the best time to watch women's tennis.

Gasquet's backhand again does not have the sting. It's aesthetically beautiful but not as effective as Fed's or Wawa's

Hmm. Maybe not with enough regularity... and it takes too long to set up... but when he gets in place and times it right, he uncorks massive, massive bombs.

EDIT: Quality here pretty terrible, but check out this one at 0:27.

Same shot, better video quality:

 

[Bobby Jr]

Are you actually being serious? If so, never debate anything about technique here again as you've just proven how clueless you are.

Fed's backhand here is clearly a pretty standard topspin backhand. The racquet head is already dropping from its original, higher, starting point. He's out wide and got plenty of time so is taking a big wind-up. The fact he's using his topspin backhand grip might have been the most obvious clue here.

Seriously.

You seem to be quite familiar with the technicalities of Fed’s BH - this one from earlier is interesting don’t you think?

It can’t be a topspin.

But it doesn’t look his usual slice either - the backswing looks more like Graf’s.

 

[Deleted member 742196]

Are you actually being serious? If so, never debate anything about technique here again as you've just proven how clueless you are.

Fed's backhand here is clearly a pretty standard topspin backhand. The racquet head is already dropping from its original, higher, starting point. He's out wide and got plenty of time so is taking a big wind-up. The fact he's using his topspin backhand grip might have been the most obvious clue here.

Seriously.

For what it’s worth I agree with you. The grip is a sure tell.

I preferred the way @StANDAA delivered it though.

Why do you think the shot in the picture can’t be a topspin BH? It looks like a finishing point of the backswing right before he starts to swing forward. If you look at his right arm, it’s flexed. It’s the same as in this video, if you put it at 0.5x speed, you can see the exact same stance at 0:07.

Either way, consider me a bit more informed!

 

[Azure]

Hmm. Maybe not with enough regularity... and it takes too long to set up... but when he gets in place and times it right, he uncorks massive, massive bombs.

EDIT: Quality here pretty terrible, but check out this one at 0:27.

Same shot, better video quality:

This is exactly like suarrez Navarro's. Good one.

 

[Standaa]

Federer's is more lucid for sure but Henin's is more like Wawa's. I always thought Henin opened up and rotated her torso for the shot in the perfect way. Forget the left hand. Look at the arc her backhand makes. It's perfect.

I honestly can’t see much difference between the way Henin and Fed open up for the shot.

 

[Azure]

I honestly can’t see much difference between the way Henin and Fed open up for the shot.

 

[hoodjem]

Just poor version of real backhand

More athletic and less awkward looking.

 

[Standaa]

Fedr

Can’t believe no one has said it here yet.

 

[Tennisgods]

This photo is betterer

Classic. Nice.

 

[ak24alive]

Not this one, short and waxed is not my thing.

You are Finnish. Oh wait you actually are.

 

[tennisfan2015]

Must have done lots of practicing there!?

 

[Sudacafan]

Lots of women athletes look like this. Now I am sure we have contributed towards locking this thread. Please continue fed fanboyism on this thread

Now that you mention it, any thread involving Serena, sexism and related stuff has more than 50% chances of being locked in these days.

 

[MRfStop]

GPAT

 

[Azure]

GPAT

The angle is not good enough. We are talking about one of the finest arses here after all...

 

[MRfStop]

The angle is not good enough. We are talking about one of the finest arses here after all...

Better?

 

[Ann]

Why do you think the shot in the picture can’t be a topspin BH? It looks like a finishing point of the backswing right before he starts to swing forward. If you look at his right arm, it’s flexed. It’s the same as in this video, if you put it at 0.5x speed, you can see the exact same stance at 0:07.

Beautiful

 

[Azure]

Better?

Swell

 

[Ann]

Better?

Oh poor Rafa, all that money and he can't afford underwear that fits.

 

[Azure]

Oh poor Rafa, all that money and he can't afford underwear that fits.

No undies can help. He still advertises for them. That's the irony of it all!

 

[MRfStop]

Swell

 

[Azure]

But he only tugs at his shorts (remember I am a vamosalaplayan )

 

[MRfStop]

But he only tugs at his shorts (remember I am a vamosalaplayan )

Just imagine that the other two guys are Fedr and Djoko

 

[Azure]

Just image that the other two guys are Fedr and Djoko

It is a non contact sport -it would be fair play!

 

[Djokerr]

Spoiler

 

[jukka1970]

Just poor version of real backhand

Love that picture of Stan

 

[jukka1970]

Damn he looks stunning , now that is handsome and cute at the same time

 

[smoledman]

 

[Bobby Jr]

For what it’s worth I agree with you. The grip is a sure tell.

I preferred the way @StANDAA delivered it though.

Your agreement isn't necessary. It is so blatantly obvious he is hitting a topspin backhand you literally could have made just as poor an argument that he'd just hit a forehand into the back wall while looking the other way.

 

[hipolymer]

 

[hipolymer]

 

[Deleted member 742196]

Your agreement isn't necessary. It is so blatantly obvious he is hitting a topspin backhand you literally could have made just as poor an argument that he'd just hit a forehand into the back wall while looking the other way.

This is one of those rare moments on the internet when someone won’t take yes for an answer, isn’t it?

One of the most important things I’ve learned from the internet is that there is no ‘them’ out there. It’s just an awful lot of ‘us’.

Please find a way to work with my agreement of what you wrote, as difficult as this may seem.

 

[Simon_the_furry]

Henin's is more like Wawa's.

No...... Do not say such things.

 

[1HBHNation]

Found one of them. Wimbledon, '16.

holy **** if i tried to do this i'd faceplant on the grass.

 

[Azure]

No...... Do not say such things.

Ok Henin is unique. I will take that

 

[Deleted member 742196]

holy **** if i tried to do this i'd faceplant on the grass.

It’s often how I feel when I look at these pictures of the pros.

Just once.

Just one time.

Just for one groundstroke I would love to be able to make contact with a ball with that level of commitment.

I want to know what that kind of self confidence feels like on a tennis court.

 

[Deleted member 743561]

It’s often how I feel when I look at these pictures of the pros.

Just once.

Just one time.

Just for one groundstroke I would love to be able to make contact with a ball with that level of commitment.

I want to know what that kind of self confidence feels like on a tennis court.

What happens when you try?

 

[Deleted member 742196]

What happens when you try?

I am unable to try.

There is always that little kernel of doubt that holds me back from making contact with a tennis ball with absolute and total conviction.

 

[Deleted member 743561]

I am unable to try.

There is always that little kernel of doubt that I can make contact with a ball with absolute and total conviction.

What if you try to do it in increments? [I'm sure a coach has taken a similar approach with you.]

Like what if you can do little things in the process of the groundstroke with absolute mastery (or at least work toward that)?

Maybe it's your footwork/getting into position. Maybe it's watching the ball right into the strings. Maybe it's relaxing your muscles to achieve ultimate fluidity.

And even those can be broken down into component parts.

 

[Deleted member 742196]

What if you try to do it in increments? [I'm sure a coach has taken a similar approach with you.]

Like what if you can do little things in the process of the groundstroke with absolute mastery (or at least work toward that)?

Maybe it's your footwork/getting into position. Maybe it's watching the ball right into the strings. Maybe it's relaxing your muscles to achieve ultimate fluidity.

And even those can be broken down into component parts.

It’s why I love tennis. You need to problem solve at a wonderfully introspective level.

That’s the thing. As I improve I gain more confidence. With confidence comes conviction.

It’s a journey.

I love the journey.

 

[Indigo]

Please guys don't turn this thread into farce. OP didn't say you should make everything a satire and irony.