What is Caroline Wozniackis' playing style?

L

LanceStern

Professional
I don't see enough of her to really understand what makes her World #3 or Top 5. But from the little I've seen, I see no big shots off either of her sides, nor do I see a big serve or amazing movement.

So what is her playing style? Is she like a mini-Hingis?
 
Totai

Totai

Professional
LanceStern said:
I don't see enough of her to really understand what makes her World #3 or Top 5. But from the little I've seen, I see no big shots off either of her sides, nor do I see a big serve or amazing movement.

So what is her playing style? Is she like a mini-Hingis?
Click to expand...

She is very consistent. Dare I say the P word....
 
forehandshanker

forehandshanker

Rookie
If we go by this definition,

tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=515149&postcount=3

it's probably not fair to call Wozniacki a pusher.

I'd say that Wozniacki is a very smart, mentally tough counter puncher and/or retriever. As you'd expect she's very consistent and moves well. Her opponents don't get a lot of free points from her as she'll get a lot of balls back. Her strokes are relatively loopy with a lot of topspin (i.e. she's not a flat ball hitter like Masha). If she has any weapon, it's her 2HBH DTL (that can be said about a lot of WTA pros). Expect her to mix in an occasional moonball. As far as weaknesses, I'd recommend setting up points to force her to hit a running FH (that's her weaker wing) or to bring her into the net (either with drop shots or low skidding short slice). Since she has a two handed BH volley, make her reach on that side if she dares to approach.
 
B

bolo

G.O.A.T.
LanceStern said:
I don't see enough of her to really understand what makes her World #3 or Top 5. But from the little I've seen, I see no big shots off either of her sides, nor do I see a big serve or amazing movement.

So what is her playing style? Is she like a mini-Hingis?
Click to expand...

She's nadal-lite. Nadal without the extreme athleticism, racquet head speed or feel imo. I find her matches fun to watch still. ;)
 
OddJack

OddJack

G.O.A.T.
Number one WTA pusher. Ugly style.

I was at her match last IW. She screams some ugly "Comons" too.

I want to see her agains Rezai.
 
B

bluetrain4

G.O.A.T.
djokovicgonzalez2010 said:
defensive baseliner
Click to expand...

I's agree. It's amazing how many times she could put a ball away that she doesn't. And, she does have the physical abilities to do so.

Right now on the WTA, her game style works against so many players, but it can also be her downfall in bigger matches.

No matter what we call it, after the end of last year and the beginning of this year when she was playing great, she's actually not playing well at all heading into the French. She's been injured and her confidence seems rattled. I saw her withdraw today from the tourney in Poland. Her ankle looked bad, and Zheng Zie won the first set.

One thing is for sure, that game style will not work if she can't move her best.
 
Fifth Set

Fifth Set

Professional
She's a smart and consistent baseliner with no glaring weaknesses and lots of variety.

Playing many events has helped her ranking but may be backfiring now as she refused to take off significant time to nurse that bad wheel.

Also a pretty girl with a very pleasant personality who is friendly with the fans, speaks well and respects the game. Very good for tennis!

I hope she makes it to #1, which seems like a real possibility if she can stay healthy.
 
dincuss

dincuss

Hall of Fame
forehandshanker said:
If we go by this definition,

tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=515149&postcount=3

it's probably not fair to call Wozniacki a pusher.

I'd say that Wozniacki is a very smart, mentally tough counter puncher and/or retriever. As you'd expect she's very consistent and moves well. Her opponents don't get a lot of free points from her as she'll get a lot of balls back. Her strokes are relatively loopy with a lot of topspin (i.e. she's not a flat ball hitter like Masha). If she has any weapon, it's her 2HBH DTL (that can be said about a lot of WTA pros). Expect her to mix in an occasional moonball. As far as weaknesses, I'd recommend setting up points to force her to hit a running FH (that's her weaker wing) or to bring her into the net (either with drop shots or low skidding short slice). Since she has a two handed BH volley, make her reach on that side if she dares to approach.
Click to expand...

Why is it that Murray has most of those traits and is consider a pusher on ttw?
 
Mick

Mick

Legend
mary joe fernandez called wozniacki "a wall"

but to play like a wall, you need great movement and she doesn't have great movement right now with an injured ankle.
 
ChopShot

ChopShot

Semi-Pro
Fifth Set said:
She's a smart and consistent baseliner with no glaring weaknesses and lots of variety.

Playing many events has helped her ranking but may be backfiring now as she refused to take off significant time to nurse that bad wheel.

Also a pretty girl with a very pleasant personality who is friendly with the fans, speaks well and respects the game. Very good for tennis!

I hope she makes it to #1, which seems like a real possibility if she can stay healthy.
Click to expand...

I beg to differ. There are rec players, rec players, for crying out loud, with a better forehand and second serve. Both scream: "Attack me! Attack me!" I still remember how Clijsters made a bloody mess of her second serves in the USO final, and hit everything to her forehand. She doesn't stand a chance against Henin, Clijsters, Jankovic, the Sisters, Kuzzy, and so on, unless they have an off day. Which, tbh, they do quite often.
 
forehandshanker

forehandshanker

Rookie
dincuss said:
Why is it that Murray has most of those traits and is consider a pusher on ttw?
Click to expand...

Because most people here on TTW overestimate their own game, and underestimate what pros actually do.

Nevertheless, there is a lot of similarity between Woz and Murray. Except Murray actually has great hands at net, has an offensive BH slice and hits flatter. Both of them can eat 99% of us here for lunch without breaking a sweat.
 
Totai

Totai

Professional
forehandshanker said:
Because most people here on TTW overestimate their own game, and underestimate what pros actually do.

Nevertheless, there is a lot of similarity between Woz and Murray. Except Murray actually has great hands at net, has an offensive BH slice and hits flatter. Both of them can eat 99% of us here for lunch without breaking a sweat.
Click to expand...

Correction: 100%
 
S

slice bh compliment

G.O.A.T.
Cesc Fabregas said:
She plays a litte like Nadal but with a vagina.
Click to expand...

And Rafa plays a little like Virginia (Wade) only with 'nads.

Kidding. Virginia Wade came in a lot and didn't have quite as good a forehand.

Wozzi is a poor man's Hingis. Nothing special in terms of weapons. Great anticipation and court sense. Not as good a volleyer as Hingis, but similar in the head. And very similar in the forehead.
 
T

Tennis_Bum

Professional
I always root against her when she plays, except for when she is to play against Serena or Sharapova. I can't stand Sharapova or Serena.

Wozniacki plays a terrible, ugly game but very effective in women's tennis because the level is so low. She can't volley to save her life, but on WTA, you don't need to volley well to survive. One thing though, she is tenacious, which is a great quality to have when you are playing tennis regardless of your skill levels.
 
jamesblakefan#1

jamesblakefan#1

G.O.A.T.
forehandshanker said:
Both of them can eat 99% of us here for lunch without breaking a sweat.
Click to expand...

This needs to be quoted for truth. She'd easily hand most of those calling her a pusher a double bagel in under an hour. Anyone who's had match points against Serena, pushed Henin hard, and made a slam final should not be underestimated. Granted I'm not calling her the 2nd coming or anything, but she's still better than 99% of those who post here, as you said.
 
S

slice bh compliment

G.O.A.T.
Tennis_Bum said:
....Wozniacki plays a terrible, ugly game but very effective in women's tennis because the level is so low. .....
Click to expand...

A little harsh (hrash, man, hrash), but I do agree.

Basically, I commend Wozzi's knack for pitting her effective little game (her strengths) against everyone else's deficiencies (lack of finishing skillz, suspect netgames, etc.)

The women with good netgames can't hang with her baseline skills, passes and lobs.

So that's why she's a top 5 player, I guess.

Also, she is blessed with decent athleticism and good eyes for the ball.

As much as I sort of like her, I'd love to see her get tuned by a Steffi Graf or a Justine Henin. I feel Sammy Stosur or Alicia Molik would hand her a beating, too, on a good day.
 
Mick

Mick

Legend
jamesblakefan#1 said:
This needs to be quoted for truth. She'd easily hand most of those calling her a pusher a double bagel in under an hour. Anyone who's had match points against Serena, pushed Henin hard, and made a slam final should not be underestimated. Granted I'm not calling her the 2nd coming or anything, but she's still better than 99% of those who post here, as you said.
Click to expand...

i don't know if this video clip was put together with some special effect or editing process but it is very awesome.

wozniacki playing against 2 male pro tennis coaches:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNkUVcQX2-c
 
Fifth Set

Fifth Set

Professional
ChopShot said:
I beg to differ. There are rec players, rec players, for crying out loud, with a better forehand and second serve. Both scream: "Attack me! Attack me!" I still remember how Clijsters made a bloody mess of her second serves in the USO final, and hit everything to her forehand. She doesn't stand a chance against Henin, Clijsters, Jankovic, the Sisters, Kuzzy, and so on, unless they have an off day. Which, tbh, they do quite often.
Click to expand...

There are certainly touring pros with better forehands and second serves, but all this yapping about rec players being able to do anything even on par with a Top 5 WTA player is pure fantasy.

If you really think that Woz, limited only to her forehand and second serves, would lose a single game to a rec player (male or female), you simply don't comprehend the gap between the pros and amateurs.

Heck, most of us here probably couldn't even grow a head of hair like many of the pros!

Arias%20Pic%201.jpg
 
rk_sports

rk_sports

Hall of Fame
I guess Defensive Baseliner would come close..

Although seems to have a pleasant on-court personality (and the looks), to me her game seems little defensive (considering that style went away with Sanchez Vicario).. but she seems really gritty with good fighting abilities

Have to say though.. would rather watch her make her opponents go get the win over say those days when Venus on her day off when she's on unforced error streaks ;)
 
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