why don't the ladies ever slice

[bjk]

All I see is backhand bashing with not much topspin and no slice. I see rallies where each girl is clearly grooving and hitting the ball right in her strike zone. So why not mix it up with a slice? Some of the one handers do it (Mauresmo, Panneta, Stosur) but none of the two handers, as far as I can tell.

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

Because they can't justify the shrieking and the grunting on something as effortless as a slice.

 

[sureshs]

They have good TS and flat BHs, that is why

 

[bjk]

They have good TS and flat BHs, that is why

If it's good enough for the men, slice should be good enough for the women. It's not like any women has a better backhand than Dolgo.

 

[LeeD]

Brainless bashing is not all about slicing, drop angles, drop/lob combos, subtle changes of spin and speed.
Bashing alone can defeat some WTA players. Much harder to bash past ATP players, as they can cover and can generally handle pace.
Lots of girls have all the shots, and try them too. They just don't happen to be the top 10.

 

[Devilito]

They can't volley either. Just add it to the list. Also, when was the last time you saw a woman hit a drop shot?

 

[sureshs]

If it's good enough for the men, slice should be good enough for the women. It's not like any women has a better backhand than Dolgo.

No, the women have better backhands than guys like Feliciano or Karlovic.

 

[Devilito]

No, the women have better backhands than guys like Feliciano...

 

[FlamEnemY]

Also, when was the last time you saw a woman hit a drop shot?

Yesterday.

It dropped short.

 

[dudeski]

I see what you did there

 

[LeeD]

You do what you practice.
Most girls are taught to stay at the baseline and trade topspin groundies to win. No variety is taught or encouraged.
Most boys are taught the same, but boyz tend to think outside the box and try new, hopefully better tactics.
Seems most girls are satisfied by following the book (rules).
I can't even abide by my yoga instructor.

 

[Ronaldo]

How bout those calves! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRe6kS-wnXg

 

[sureshs]

OK I surrender. You want me to say women have better backhands than Federer too, you can have it.

 

[krz]

They can't volley either. Just add it to the list. Also, when was the last time you saw a woman hit a drop shot?

Cljisters vs Li duh!

or did you mean a good drop shot?

 

[aldeayeah]

Schiavone?

 

[Tammo]

Because their BH is their weapon. They don't want to fail in a chance to use it. Their FH is 90% of the time not as strong as the BH, just look at Wozniacki.

 

[elpolaco84]

No, the women have better backhands than guys like Feliciano or Karlovic.

Feliciano has really imrpoved his BH, he has added topspin BH and started to to really hit it, I think its no longer the weakest backhand on the tour, thats one of the reasons his a top20 now with a career high 19

 

[NothingButNet]

Roberta Vinci

98% slice

 

[tennis4josh]

I saw 3 women hit drop shots yesterday. One miss (Sharapova), one terrible (Clijsters) and one exquisite (Serena). But I agree with the notion that women don't mix it it up very well even when they are capable of. It's not like they don't have the skills. Last year at Indian Wells I saw Sharapova working on Serve and Volley for a good hour in the afternoon sun.

I think the reason is more about mentality. Women are more patient, disciplined and some what averse to (unnecessary) risk taking. Most guys won't be able to hit the same shot 10 times in a row even if their life depended on it. I am not saying one is better than other. Just trying to interpret the difference in playing styles.

The women also cannot cover the court like guys do. They can move from side to side very well. But they are not as tall as guys and expose themselves to lobs when they come in.

-Josh

 

[bjk]

I think this can probably be traced back to Monica Seles. Graf hit nothing but slice, Sabatini was a big slicer, but they were both one-handers. But once Monica started bashing every shot, that style of play was over. Are there any current two-handers who use slice consistently? Glatch has a nice slice and she's a two-hander. Maybe there are others.

 

[kOaMaster]

conchita martinez and of course henin.

 

[SLD76]

I think this can probably be traced back to Monica Seles. Graf hit nothing but slice, Sabatini was a big slicer, but they were both one-handers. But once Monica started bashing every shot, that style of play was over. Are there any current two-handers who use slice consistently? Glatch has a nice slice and she's a two-hander. Maybe there are others.

kvitova uses slice quite regularly.

she will use it defensively and as a change of pace. if you ever manages to use it for change of direction, could be quite deadly in her hands.

 

[li0scc0]

Watch Sara Errani. Excellent slice backhand (and forehand), and excellent drop shot.

 

[GoSurfBoy]

........and as soon as a girl who HAS a great slice backhand throws one in, they'll often draw a weak ball or even an error from their opponent.

Sadly, many of the women have very one-dimensional games, but I really like Sara Arrani's game; flat, top, slice backhands, and even reverses her big topspin forehand.

Had a nice hit with a girl awhile back. She was playing in the semi's of a Nationally sponsored 18's event.

At 12.

She had a gorgeous slice - which was one of the reasons why she is playing - and - winning in the 18's.

To say "because they have good top or flat backhands" is absurd. Ask a major league pitcher how many pitches he has.

 

[sureshs]

Yeah, all the male coaches who coach WTA players have never thought of asking them to slice.

Federer, who used to mainly slice his backhands, started going over the ball when his slices were being eaten up by Nadal.