The Real Reason Serve and Volley Tennis has Disappeared

[Wilander Fan]

Its not just that the courts are slower, the hard courts appear to be grittier so balls grab on and sit up rather than skidding on slices but still jump forward on the topspin. The Serbs apparently used this kind of surface and it absolutely killed Llodra. That slice wide that was skidding off the courts at the Paris Indoor was a sitting duck as were all his half volleys.

 

[Manus Domini]

I agree it is a combination but out of all those things you listed all but two are most effective because the string enhances that feature.

I guarantee if S&V tennis had a chance to win on a regular basis some would be doing it and coaches would be teaching it.

I never said the baseline game was more interesting

all but three:

slower courts, 2hbhs, larger racket head size

ok so add string and that's 4 reasons. But that is plenty. S&V is now dead

and I know you never said that, was just saying

 

[jester911]

all but three:

slower courts, 2hbhs, larger racket head size

The larger rackets are enhanced by the strings.

But two step-changing technologies have so far evaded regulation: the large-headed racket, which reached its spin potential only after three generations of technique refinements; and copoly strings, whose spin-boosting nature eluded proof for 15 years. Together, they can generate as much spin, or more, in the hands of today’s players as could a spaghetti racket wielded by a ’70s-era player.

 

[Wilander Fan]

The larger rackets are enhanced by the strings.

But two step-changing technologies have so far evaded regulation: the large-headed racket, which reached its spin potential only after three generations of technique refinements; and copoly strings, whose spin-boosting nature eluded proof for 15 years. Together, they can generate as much spin, or more, in the hands of today’s players as could a spaghetti racket wielded by a ’70s-era player.

I would say the big racket change was early 90s when you started seeing the really light frames and today's rackets are pretty much using the same tech. The strings are also important but you just would not be able to hit those wristy shots with the pre 90s frames.