Why isn't Berdych used as an example to teach strokes?

[KenC]

If the Post Post Modern tennis method has migrated away from real life coaching and replaced it with online anaysis and instruction, why is Federer the favorite example? Federer is a magician with a racquet and can do so many things that analyzing his technique really should involve analyzing about 500 different shots to fully grasp what is really going on behind his strokes. On the other hand, there is Berdych.

Berdych must be the pinnacle of textbook strokes, including the serve. He has almost no personal style in contrast to players like Federer and Nadal. He is pure form based on perfect fundamentals and rarely if ever deviates. But I rarely see someone use him as an example. Why is that?

 

[Crocodile]

Don't like his ball toss on his serve, it's way to high.

 

[Dolgopolov85]

I don't think we have to model shots off any one player. For eg, I think Srichapan had a beautiful backhand and I would say it's easier to emulate a model like his shot than Fed's shot which is more wristy. What matters finally is whether the model is easy for you to adapt to your game at whatever level you are. I repeatedly find in trying to hit a proper serve, I DF a lot while the guys who just do an aggressive tap have more consistency. I don't want to dumb down my technique that much because I fear I will never learn to serve well if I get comfortable with that kind of serve. But just saying that the model stroke has to be easy for the rec player to work with. In that sense, yes, I do think both forehand and backhand of Berdych are very smooth strokes. I haven't thought about whether or not his shots would be good models for learning.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

Don't like his ball toss on his serve, it's way to high.

'tis a bit high, ain't it? He's got something of an abbreviated takeback so he seems to hang out in the trophy for while. Wonder if he previously employed more of an extreme staggered rhythm (like Sampras) and developed a high toss because of it. Or maybe he utilizes the high toss to facilitate more topspin. Also noticed that his right elbow, at the trophy, is rather low in some videos. Not unlike Djoko's elbow issue before he fixed it in 2010. Pretty decent serve otherwise.

Hits with moderate topspin for the most part -- which is fine. Mild double bend on the FH. Takeback is a tad on the high side on both wings but fairly compact. Fairly simple -- not a bad player to study. But my inclination would be to look at several players rather than just one as a model. Perhaps Agassi, Berdych and a couple others. But it could really depend on what seems to suit your own body/game.

 

[heninfan99]

Berdych must be the pinnacle of textbook strokes, including the serve.

I believe Yandell may have used him as an example in one of his lectures.

Goran is trying to change his serve actually, trying to lower his ball toss.

Berdych, like Fed & every pro, also has a variety of finishes on his forehand.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

I believe Yandell may have used him as an example in one of his lectures.

Goran is trying to change his serve actually, trying to lower his ball toss.

Berdych, like Fed & every pro, also has a variety of finishes on his forehand.

Likely some variation on more than just the finishes. Any idea what JY had to say abt Berdych?

 

[heninfan99]

Likely some variation on more than just the finishes. Any idea what JY had to say abt Berdych?

Obviously but the finishes are the most obvious example to give because we must be obvious to obviously drive home an obvious point.
https://www.tennisplayer.net/public/new_issue/2010/july/new_issue_july_public_2010.html

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

I have long admired Berdych's fundamentals and game. But the people who tend to get chosen for profiles [ie Tennis mag] have had some huge success that resonates with the public even if overall they aren't as successful as a steady guy like Berdych.

My $0.46 [or however much a stamp costs these days].

 

[SinjinCooper]

Mostly, when I answer questions, I just go to the handful of guys I know have the most available clips. Over time, I've gotten to know where to look to find something particular.

Not a thing in the world wrong with Berdych, however. Though I agree I wouldn't suggest a student model their toss on his.

If someone posted a question about developing a "more penetrating forehand," it would make a lot of sense, just because that person would probably be sacrificing pace by trying to hit too spinny. Berdych as a guiding star might help cure such an ill. The search for spin has corrupted and lessened the amateur game to a large degree.

I also have no idea why, among those here who have particular talent in teaching 2HBH's, Gilles Simon isn't the absolute go-to. But that stroke isn't really my jam, so I accept their wisdom.

 

[Ash_Smith]

I always said the same about Tipsarevic's forehand - as a technical model it is superb - nice and simple, compact, and a clean strike - a good starting point for many a player to build from.

 

[KenC]

I think if someone really wants to go over the top, they should look into emulating Ilija Bozoljac. I've seen him play many times at the Como Challenger and it is a real treat for many reasons, one especially. The guy can hit 1 and 2 handed forehands and 1 and 2 handed backhands. And he played really well. But the real treat was his girlfriend. She was beyond gorgeous. Everytime I saw her, or she would walk by, my pants would just fall down. It was definitely embarassing. So, knowing that we all really play tennis for the hot chicks that gravitate toward tennis players, you may want to learn how to hit 1 and 2 handers from both wings. It will be worth it.

 

[BlueB]

Nice one OP!
Besides a high toss, Berdych is about perfect model for a rec player.
Other ones would be Simon and Djokovic. I'd avoid Nole's nearly western FH grip, and splits, though.

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk

 

[BlueB]

Tipsarevic is a great example too, as someone already mentioned. Troicki too.

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk

 

[GuyClinch]

False assumption. He has been championed as a model several times. That being said the general style of Fed's stroke is not so magical. It's fine for amateurs. His loop is smaller then Berdych - so its easier to time.

Fed's forehand is great because he is great. It's not magical because of its amazing unique technique that amateurs can't hope to master. Likewise MJ was great at basketball because he was making the moves - not because no play ground kid could hope to pull up and hit a J. Again you sound like a crappy athlete.. with this nonsense.

 

[KenC]

False assumption. He has been championed as a model several times. That being said the general style of Fed's stroke is not so magical. It's fine for amateurs. His loop is smaller then Berdych - so its easier to time.

Fed's forehand is great because he is great. It's not magical because of its amazing unique technique that amateurs can't hope to master. Likewise MJ was great at basketball because he was making the moves - not because no play ground kid could hope to pull up and hit a J. Again you sound like a crappy athlete.. with this nonsense.

Have some fun dude, relax and enjoy life. Don't take this stuff so seriously. It's the Internet.

 

[xFullCourtTenniSx]

Why copy a well-balanced example with a few easily fixable flaws when you can copy Djokovic, Nadal, Murray, Ferrer, or mah boi Roddick and come out with overspun forehands with 0 pace or penetration? Get with the modern game already. It's all about taking the fattest swing you can take while still landing the ball inside the service line. Get with the post post modern. You bounce the ball so far over their heads they can't touch the ball.

 

[wannabe good]

I think if someone really wants to go over the top, they should look into emulating Ilija Bozoljac. I've seen him play many times at the Como Challenger and it is a real treat for many reasons, one especially. The guy can hit 1 and 2 handed forehands and 1 and 2 handed backhands. And he played really well. But the real treat was his girlfriend. She was beyond gorgeous. Everytime I saw her, or she would walk by, my pants would just fall down. It was definitely embarassing. So, knowing that we all really play tennis for the hot chicks that gravitate toward tennis players, you may want to learn how to hit 1 and 2 handers from both wings. It will be worth it.

Yes, but did Bozoljac woo the hot girlfriend with his on-court or off-court technique? Isn't he, like, off-the-charts in coolness department. Does mastering a tennis technique, turn you into a cool guy IRL?

 

[wannabe good]

Berdych looks stiff to me. To me, he is a borderline case of a tall guy whose tallness makes his athleticism subpar. If you are a middle-age recreational player, sure - good enough. But if you are a junior spending enormous amount of time perfecting your tennis, as elite juniors tend to do, then why not strive for something more?

 

[mcs1970]

If the Post Post Modern tennis method has migrated away from real life coaching and replaced it with online anaysis and instruction, why is Federer the favorite example? Federer is a magician with a racquet and can do so many things that analyzing his technique really should involve analyzing about 500 different shots to fully grasp what is really going on behind his strokes. On the other hand, there is Berdych.

Berdych must be the pinnacle of textbook strokes, including the serve. He has almost no personal style in contrast to players like Federer and Nadal. He is pure form based on perfect fundamentals and rarely if ever deviates. But I rarely see someone use him as an example. Why is that?

I'd posted Berdych's FH video, a week ago, as an example of a stroke that is simple and yet deadly.

BTW...I thought you were against using any pros strokes videos as examples to follow?

 

[KenC]

I'd posted Berdych's FH video, a week ago, as an example of a stroke that is simple and yet deadly.

BTW...I thought you were against using any pros strokes videos as examples to follow?

Well, the more I spend time here the more I think I am doing things wrong. So, I just fired my coach of 10 years, ordered a couple RF97s strung with Champions Choice at Roger's same exact tension, bought the latest Federer outfit right down to the bandana, and am ready to go Post Post Modern on my opponents. Thanks TT! My only question is, should I completely redo my serve to mimic Federer, or should I go Post Post Post Modern and do the Open Serve?

 

[Moveforwardalways]

I would even settle for Manarino's strokes. Compact, simple, etc.

 

[norcal]

How about Granollers forehand? Looks so incredibly simple and he's a top 20 singles and doubles guy!

 

[KenC]

How about Granollers forehand? Looks so incredibly simple and he's a top 20 singles and doubles guy!

Honestly, while the pro do give us near perfect examples, It may be enough to watch 5.5 and beyond players train. I encourage people to go see as many higher level tournaments as possible, and stick around and watch the practice sessions. It does give a sense of the dedication and discipline required to actually beat a 5.5 level player in a real tournament.

 

[movdqa]

Berdych can hit those deadly strokes with smoothness and "easy power" because he uses a racquet with a swingweight near 400. I think that most pros are in the 350-370 range so they'd have to use more RHS to get his level of power which would make it look "less easy". Berdych, no doubt, is as strong as an ox to be able to wield that thing.

 

[heninfan99]

I would even settle for Manarino's strokes. Compact, simple, etc.

Mannarino himself had to relearn his forehand as a pro using a different grip. Love his game. My favorite strokes right now are Fognini's.

 

[KenC]

Mannarino himself had to relearn his forehand as a pro using a different grip. Love his game. My favorite strokes right now are Fognini's.

I too like Fognini's strokes. I live in Italy now and have seen him play quite a few times at the Genova Challenger earlier in his career and he was very "entertaining" to watch, on and off the court.