Who has a more compact forehand: Djokovic or Wawrinka?

[zill]

Many people say Wawrinka's forehand is long or not compact. But it seems more compact than Djokovic's forehand. But people never associate Djokovic's forehand as non compact. If anything many people say its very compact.

What do you think?

 

[ChaelAZ]

Not sure who those "people" are, but neither has a long stroke path.

 

[pencilcheck]

All pros have compact stroke path, otherwise they can't return the ball in time, not sure what you are comparing against?

 

[zill]

All pros have compact stroke path, otherwise they can't return the ball in time, not sure what you are comparing against?

Some are more compact then others. Gasquet and Gonzalez have big swings.

 

[Curious]

In terms of keeping the hitting arm and racket in front of the torso, they're equally compact. Considering the size of the loop, Wawrinka's is more compact.

 

[zill]

In terms of keeping the hitting arm and racket in front of the torso, they're equally compact. Considering the size of the loop, Wawrinka's is more compact.

I was thinking of size of loop.

 

[THE FIGHTER]

Size of the loop can be deceptive. Neither of their forehands allow theyre hitting arm to go directly behind the body on takeback. So while djokovic’s path is loopier, it doesnt translate to a longer core rotation, which is a better measure of how compact a stroke is.


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[Dragy]

They are actually 2 very similar guys in terms of FH techniques. Novak seems to use a bit loopier takeback and (at least in 2019) get his arm more extended. Stan makes great job with easy lining up of the swing and well-timed brief acceleration. Very evident, Nole’s swing looks more uniform.
PS: why we all call Stan a big guy, he’s 6’0, pretty average for tennis. Bulky - yes, but not big at all...

 

[Benoit Kyrgios]

Stan struggles against fast pace, djokovic not at all. I think that says it all. Although djokovic has a more complicated swing the answer is Djokovic. You can see in the slow motion how Novaks arm is relaxed and he is ready to accelerate towards the ball right after beginning the swing, while with Stan, his wrist struggles to turn the racquet around and swing at the ball, after the takeback (the motion from 5 to 7 seconds into the Stans video - Novak doesn't have it that tense and strained). Being even more accurate, I think Novak accelerates throughout the whole motion, while Stan fits the most part of into a wrist twist, which doesn't work against pace and serves! Stan slices many returns back on the forehand!

 

[Dragy]

Stan struggles against fast pace, djokovic not at all. I think that says it all. Although djokovic has a more complicated swing the answer is Djokovic. You can see in the slow motion how Novaks arm is relaxed and he is ready to accelerate towards the ball right after beginning the swing, while with Stan, his wrist struggles to turn the racquet around and swing at the ball, after the takeback (the motion from 5 to 7 seconds into the Stans video - Novak doesn't have it that tense and strained). Being even more accurate, I think Novak accelerates throughout the whole motion, while Stan fits the most part of into a wrist twist, which doesn't work against pace and serves! Stan slices many returns back on the forehand!

Nole’s efficiency against pace is based on his anticipation, movement and coordination, not on some advantage of his techniques. Actually, I think it’s completely upside down: longer acceleration works weaker against challenging balls, as it requires earlier commitment to the swing. Neither Roger nor Rafa have as early start of major acceleration in their forehands as Novak does. Which even more emphasizes his out of real World abilities.
Stan hits great FH. However, he has no such a freakin pack of defensive skills as Novak and some other players.

 

[StringSnapper]

Stan struggles against fast pace, djokovic not at all. I think that says it all. Although djokovic has a more complicated swing the answer is Djokovic. You can see in the slow motion how Novaks arm is relaxed and he is ready to accelerate towards the ball right after beginning the swing, while with Stan, his wrist struggles to turn the racquet around and swing at the ball, after the takeback (the motion from 5 to 7 seconds into the Stans video - Novak doesn't have it that tense and strained). Being even more accurate, I think Novak accelerates throughout the whole motion, while Stan fits the most part of into a wrist twist, which doesn't work against pace and serves! Stan slices many returns back on the forehand!

Stan struggles against fast pace because he doesnt move as well. If you hit it to him and its fast he doesn't struggle

 

[dominikk1985]

Imo compact is overrated. Many pros have compact backswings but many have huge backswings and long swings like Fernando Gonzalez for example. Timing and early preparation is much more important. The only situation where a long swing hurts is when a deep ball is directly hit into your body or on ROS, if you need to take more than 2-3 steps you also have time to backswings, even against a 90 mph ball.

Rec players aren't late because of non compact swings but due to late or non existent unit turn and bad footwork.