Wawrinka's low topspin backhand finish...

[Ehh]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXCKvawrmuY

See in this video (which also happens to be the best tennis match of all time, imo) - Wawrinka finishes his backhand stroke noticeably low compared to Almagro - especially when hitting a cross-court backhand.

Why do you think this is? Is he just not flexible? Do you think it limits the amount of topspin he is putting on the ball since his backhand finishes sorta low? Does Almagro get more topspin on that one-hander than Wawrinka?

Or is it some kind of modern one handed backhand that finishes low just like the windshield wiper forehand finishes low - and still generates huge topspin?

 

[LeeD]

Can you generalize from the match that Almagro has a higher finish every time?
Looks like Wawriinka finish's just as high lots of backhands.
And player style, build, and mental state determines differences.

 

[BevelDevil]

I think OP's probably right.

The explanation is probably a result with the peculiarities of their strokes:

- Wawrinka opens his chest up a lot, so it makes sense that his arm would follow through more sideways.

- Almagro likes to tilt his shoulders a lot on his forward swing through contact. At contact, his right shoulder is typically much higher than his left shoulder. So his arm is being thrown more upwards.

 

[LeeD]

Style, build, flexibility, speed of recovery.

 

[TomT]

See in this video (which also happens to be the best tennis match of all time, imo) ...

Huh!??

 

[Ehh]

I think OP's probably right.

The explanation is probably a result with the peculiarities of their strokes:

- Wawrinka opens his chest up a lot, so it makes sense that his arm would follow through more sideways.

- Almagro likes to tilt his shoulders a lot on his forward swing through contact. At contact, his right shoulder is typically much higher than his left shoulder. So his arm is being thrown more upwards.

Thanks Bevel - which backhand do you think has more topspin on it?

And, of course I was exaggerating about it being the best match of all time, but it was such a treat to watch, no doubt about it.

 

[BevelDevil]

Thanks Bevel - which backhand do you think has more topspin on it?

My guess is Almagro, though I'm not sure.

But here's my reasoning:

- Wawrinka seems to hit with a flatter trajectory. However, he also seems to hit a little harder, so it could be just that.

- Wawrinka uses a mild Eastern while Almagro uses a full eastern.

- Almagro's shoulder tilt and higher finish suggest more brushing up.


On the other hand, Wawrinka can create some crazy cross-court angles, so I wouldn't be surprised if he's generating at least as much rpm.

 

[Ehh]

It would be so interesting to see the RPM data between the average and maximum topspin of all 1hbh's - how they compare to each other, and how they compare to 2hbh's, and how they compare to viscous claycourt lefty forehands (Nadal).

How would you rank Almagro, Wawrinka, Gasquet and Kuerten for maximum and average topspin production?

I'd rank them;

1). Kuerten

(long gap)

2). Gasquet
3). Almagro
4). Wawrinka