Why most pros use slice only as a last resort?

[Golden Retriever]

I think slice works pretty good at the novice level. My slice backhand is more dangerous than my topspin backhand to some of my opponents. It is easier to control and creates a less predictable bounce with no pace for my opponents to work with. I seldom make a mistake with my slice but it is very effective at creating UE's from my opponents.

So how come most pros don't use slice unless they absolutely have to?

 

[Mr. Blond]

I know for me, when someone hits a slice, the ball just tends to hang there longer, which in the end gives your opponent more time. The topsin shot is more effective at getting the ball off of the court, and stealing time from your opponent.

just my 2 cents

 

[Movement]

??? I might agree some pros don't use slice very often but many use it strategically. Examples are slice approaches or to change up the pace. And at their level do you really think a slice will consistantly get any UE? Or oftenly? They deal with 120+ mph serves but you think a slice cause pros to miss? It's not as easy as using one type of shot to force errors, they are above that. I wouldn't say most pros only use it as a last resort.

 

[Ripper]

At the higher levels slices get smacked. So, these days, they're only used in certain situations. For example, defensive situations, as you mentioned, but, also, as a variable to screw up an opponent's rythm.

 

[tuk]

Well, you just said it...slices can work pretty good at the novice or club level
because it imparts a spin that allows for a player to change the tenor of a rally and adding some slice to a shot may be enough to change the rhythm of the opponent and to force an error...but it's not so easy to force an error at the pro level therefor they have to be more carefull when slicing and just do it when the time is right or when they are forced to....

 

[Tchocky]

Most players, including pros, with one handed backhands use slice because only a few of them can hit over or through the ball. The backhand slice is a great defensive shot but only a few players can use it effectively.

 

[fgzhu88]

no federer uses it a lot.

 

[RafaN RichardG]

depends how good the slice is, a lot of two handers dont even bother, like roddick just started using it recently, because it was horrible before. also, sharapova's slice is so bad that she goes lefty for hard to reach balls...
you will see players like mauresmo, federer, ljubicic, GONZO(the commentators always say how his coach made him hit 50 slices in a row, to make his slice betetr, you'll see him hit a fair amount, probly in 65% of the games during a match that he plays), henin also uses it well.

 

[Kevo]

There are quite a few pros that use the slice. I think many pros have concentrated on their topspin shot, so they don't have a very good slice to use. So for those people, it is a last resort. Many use it quite well though. If you hit it right, a slice can be a very effective shot that makes it hard for the other player to make an offensive play. If you botch it, it sits up and gets taken advantage of.

 

[catspaw]

The slice seems to be a pretty lethal device for those who can execute it well and mix it in with lots of lovely topspin stuff - like Federer, for example and, more recently, Gonzo. I guess if you're good at it, you do it a lot, and you do it tactically as a form of quiet aggression; if you're not so good at it, it's a more defensive and a 'keep you in the point/gain you time' thing.

 

[nViATi]

I think slice works pretty good at the novice level. My slice backhand is more dangerous than my topspin backhand to some of my opponents. It is easier to control and creates a less predictable bounce with no pace for my opponents to work with. I seldom make a mistake with my slice but it is very effective at creating UE's from my opponents.

So how come most pros don't use slice unless they absolutely have to?

You lose to pushers. At that level people can't do much to slices.

 

[theRadical]

Roddick uses a backhand slice all the time. Sometimes 3-4 times in a row in cross court rallies

 

[Warriorroger]

The two greatest players in history play and played a slice backhand predominantely. Steffi Graf because her slice was deadly and set up for that leathal forehand, Roger Federer, because as strange as it seems, the male players aren't able to attack it succesfully.

All IMO of course.

 

[jmsx521]

Slices are not offensive shot and give the idea that the player is defensive, which also means – weaker. That is not to say that players who hit good slices don’t win… but if a player is not a famous name and starts hitting slices, then they’d give the idea that she/he is the weaker player, slowing the game-down, rather than trying to win it with faster shots.

 

[jelle v]

Pros also use the slice as an attacking option often (when goin to the net). Henman and Federer play a fantastic attacking slice-backhand. The kind that has a lot of speed and stays low and lands deep in the court.

I don't understand why everybody is celebrating Gonzalez's slice backhand so much and giving him so much credit for it. The way I see it, he plays a horrible slice backhand, barely getting above clublevel. There's no pace in his slice backhand, the ball just bounces up high and doesn't stay low, never creating any danger. You (almost) never see him winning any point with it. The only advantage for him, is that it makes less unforced errors than his topspin backhand.

 

[jmsx521]

jelle v, Gonzalez's mixing slice-tactics did get him to the Australian Open's final though! If it was not that, then what was it?

 

[jelle v]

jelle v, Gonzalez's mixing slice-tactics did get him to the Australian Open's final though! If it was not that, then what was it?

A fluke? Luck?

Like i said, his slice backhand only prevents his weak top spin backhand from making errors (and that's always a good thing, don't get me wrong) but that's the only thing that I see a postive point of his slice backhand. But he is only benefitting from his slice backhand, because he has such a weak top spin backhand. People here (especially after AO) are jubelating his slice backhand like it's a really good slice backhand and in my opinion it is a really poor slice backhand, creating no pressure whatsoever.

When you're playing someone that easily hits through that, Gonzalez is in real trouble. I think it even is a disadvantage for his huge forehand, because people get easier balls to attack his forehand. I don't expect this type of play to bring him much during clay season.

 

[anirut]

Pros also use the slice as an attacking option often (when goin to the net). Henman and Federer play a fantastic attacking slice-backhand. The kind that has a lot of speed and stays low and lands deep in the court.

Agree. Slices, FH or BH, if executed properly, can be very fast and very lethal.

 

[rommil]

The two greatest players in history play and played a slice backhand predominantely. Steffi Graf because her slice was deadly and set up for that leathal forehand, Roger Federer, because as strange as it seems, the male players aren't able to attack it succesfully.

All IMO of course.

Lol, did you not suggest at one time Graf should COACH Federer to improve his slice backhand? The reason they can't attack Federer because he has a variety of shots to choose from. Graf on the other hand benefited from a generation that didn't really have a lot of players that can hit off both sides on a consistent basis. With all respect to Graf's accomplishment, your parallel comparison is very far fetched considering Federer's a much more complete player.
Anyways, in response to the OP, a lot of the pros don't really hit the slice unless they need to since it is primarily a defensive shot. They try to assert their games as much as possible.

 

[ibemadskillzz]

graf uses all slices. fed uses like 50% and mostly all backhand returns are slices or chips

 

[bluetrain4]

There's more than one type of slice backhand. Just like a player can slap at a forehand, play a more loopy shot, or play an off speed shot, slices can vary.

Today, a lof of the slices we see are defensive or simply "positional" shots meant to change it up until ripping a shot.

But, slices can be offensive. Yes, Graf's slice did set her up or her forehand, where most of her winners came from, but it was hard, and low, and deep, and she hit them when she was clearly ahead in the point. Very difficult to attack that shot.

Someone like Gonzo, who did great at the AO partly becaue of his slice, mainly hits it slow, which bothered some players who like pace (Blake), but which Fed had no problem with. If Gonzo would have hit hard slice to fed's backhand that landed within three feet of the baseline, it would have made the match closer and given Gonzo more chances to attack, although he probably would have still lost.

 

[Slazenger]

I think slice works pretty good at the novice level. My slice backhand is more dangerous than my topspin backhand to some of my opponents. It is easier to control and creates a less predictable bounce with no pace for my opponents to work with. I seldom make a mistake with my slice but it is very effective at creating UE's from my opponents.

So how come most pros don't use slice unless they absolutely have to?

Because pros are not 3.0 hackers you play against. Hit a slice backhand crosscourt and they will power it up the line into the corner.

 

[Slazenger]

I don't understand why everybody is celebrating Gonzalez's slice backhand so much and giving him so much credit for it. The way I see it, he plays a horrible slice backhand, barely getting above clublevel. There's no pace in his slice backhand, the ball just bounces up high and doesn't stay low, never creating any danger. You (almost) never see him winning any point with it. The only advantage for him, is that it makes less unforced errors than his topspin backhand.

I was thinking the same thing about his slice. It's not the offensive slice variety. It sits up and isn't consistently deep either.
Taylor Dent is a great example of consistent depth on the backhand slice. He will hit it low net clearance, couple of feet from the baseline and skidding 7 times in a row. It's so metronomic it's amazing.
Gonzo's is all over the place. It's high over the net at some point, deep, shallow.
I wondered why Haas didn't attack off the slices more at the AO. Fed certainly did.

I wouldn't say his slice is horrible though. It is a very good slice and he gives himself good margin while using the shot and it helps him construct points better so more power to his slice!

 

[tennus]

I think slice works pretty good at the novice level. My slice backhand is more dangerous than my topspin backhand to some of my opponents. It is easier to control and creates a less predictable bounce with no pace for my opponents to work with. I seldom make a mistake with my slice but it is very effective at creating UE's from my opponents.
So how come most pros don't use slice unless they absolutely have to?[/QUOTE]

They do. Watch any serve volleyer or all courter approach. Especially on grass they will hit that skidding slice pulling a fair share of errors from the western grip. Federer effectively uses the low crosscourt slice short in the box, drawing his opponent to the net. You said it yourself, slice is effective in drawing unforced errors from an opponent. At the pro level it's often used to change the pace of the rally and upset the timing of a rythmn playing opponent.

 

[ElanSafin]

in todays aggresive/powerful game of tennis u can rarely dictate points with a slice..............

 

[caulcano]

in todays aggresive/powerful game of tennis u can rarely dictate points with a slice..............

unless your name is Roger Federer.

 

[Ripper]

unless your name is Roger Federer.

Yes, but we all know Federer knows how to hit excellent topspin backhands. Graf, on the other hand, couldn't do this well. The other aspects of her game were so good, she could get away with that. Plus, women's pro tennis is one thing and men's is totally something else. A male version of Graf would have his backhand abused match after match.

 

[araghava]

The reason the slice has disappeared is because the game has changed. Slice is a very effective way to get to the net. The ball keeps low and improves your chance of putting away the volley. However if you plan to stay at the baseline and your primary objective is to keep the ball in play, topspin is the higher percentage play. You can hit the ball high over the net and still bring in down with safety. With the slice you have to hit the ball much lower over the net and the backspin will tend to make the ball float.

The slice is most effective when you play it from within the court and then come in behind it. No one uses that tactic anymore.

Even Federer uses the slice more to bring opponents into net rather than as a tool for him to get to the net.

 

[Ripper]

However if you plan to stay at the baseline and your primary objective is to keep the ball in play, topspin is the higher percentage play.

Also, if two good baseliners are facing each other, it would be very difficult for any of them to hit winners from the backhand side, without being able to hit a decent topspin backhand. And it would be impossible to hit tight angles from that side. Meaning lots of missed opportunities. Passing shots can be sliced, but that's something else. So, I'm not saying slices are not important, but playing "a la Graf" in today's men's pro tour, would be a frustrating experience, imo.

 

[Kaptain Karl]

The two greatest players in history play and played a slice backhand predominantely.

Except for the last word, you're correct. Both Court and Laver used the Slice very effectively ... just not predominantly.

- KK

 

[pow]

low and deep every time is not an easy task, unless you're Federer.

 

[mclee025]

I watched an old Federer match the other night and he used a regular pattern on his backhand side. When he was in good position, he hit a topspin backhand. When he was on the run he'd hit the slice. You could easily predict what stroke he was going to hit by how well positioned he was relative to the opponent's shot. Generally, the slice seemed to keep the opponent neutralized until his opponent hit a lesser shot from where Federer could turn up the heat with a topspin shot.

 

[Condoleezza]

Lol, did you not suggest at one time Graf should COACH Federer to improve his slice backhand? The reason they can't attack Federer because he has a variety of shots to choose from. Graf on the other hand benefited from a generation that didn't really have a lot of players that can hit off both sides on a consistent basis. With all respect to Graf's accomplishment, ...

But Graf had to play players who knew how to return a slice.
Today's players would be dumb-struck if they were confronted with Graf-like slice BHs ...

Condi

 

[cghipp]

I went to the qualifying rounds of the Family Circle Cup some years back, and I was really surprised at how often the pros DID use the slice, especially on the forehand side. I think it just doesn't "show up" as much when you're watching on TV. Seeing it in person, you can get a much better feel for the spin they're putting on the ball.

 

[AndrewD]

At the club level (5.0 and below) the slice backhand can be one of the premier weapons in any player's arsenal (moreso the further south of the ratings you go). That's because, one of the cardinal sins committed by the club player (yes, even 5.0's get sloppy) is to not bend the knees and get down to the ball. The slice forces you to do those two things - if you're to return it effectively. Also, having to bend to play the slice can be exceptionally tiring for muscles which aren't as supple as they once were (age is a factor but so is inactivity and most club players work for a living so don't get to play more than twice a week). Topspin shots, on the other hand, can be far easier to return even if they aren't returned well. The ball is bouncing up around your shoulders so you can either back up or step into the shot. Hell, you can even bunt it back as a lob, but you don't need to bend for it. Also, with heavy topspin shots, they're more tiring to produce than to return. Slice is the exact opposite.


At the pro level, there's a number of reasons why players don't use the slice more often.
1) They're not attacking the net very often at all so don't need it for that.
2) Grips: players with extreme grips find it difficult to change quickly to a Continental (or even an Eastern) grip to hit their slice.
3) Predominance of double-handed backhands. Again, makes it harder to switch to the correct grip.
4) Only my opinion, but I think a good slice backhand requires some feel for the ball and that isn't something you get from poly strings.
5) They're supremely confident in their ability to attack with topspin.
6) They're technically lacking in their ability to hit the slice (far more likely for those players with two-handed backhands) and know when to hit the slice, although I do believe that is changing.

All that being said, I believe players still do use the slice backhand quite a lot of the time but they don't necessarily use it for the same reasons as their predecessors. Today, it's more of a defensive shot - a way to stay in the point if pulled wide- or, for some, or a means of varying the pace and bounce to upset an opponent's rhythm.

 

[Condoleezza]

Except for the last word, you're correct. Both Court and Laver used the Slice very effectively ... just not predominantly.

- KK

It was not about the greatest *Australian* players, son ....

Coni

 

[rommil]

But Graf had to play players who knew how to return a slice.
Today's players would be dumb-struck if they were confronted with Graf-like slice BHs ...

Condi

God help you, you poor being you. You really are stuck up in the past. If a slice backhand is such a weapon, why aren't the current pros employing it on a consistent basis? If you really play tennis like you say you do, I must watch you because you must have the poorest shot selection around. Oh do me a favor, get a new calendar. It's the year 2007, not 1998.

 

[snvplayer]

It's just not offensive enough. It can keep you in the point in defensive and neutral position, but at pro level, you are rarely going to get offensive with backhand slice. Pros are good enough to handle slices; they may not be able to attack it, but they can keep themselves in point in opposition to slice, or attack it if the slice sort of floats.

Roddick's two hander isn't great by any means. In backhand cross court rally against safin or any other player with good 2 handers, he's going to lose the rally. So he incorporates the slice not to give ryhthm to the opponent.

Gonzales or Younes Alyanoui uses slice to use their forehand. Their slice is more of set up shot for forehand and neutral / defensive shot.

I think at pro level, you are going to need a great forehand and excellent movement to consistently use slice. You lack one of them, it's going to hurt you.

 

[tintin]

Roddick's two hander isn't great by any means. In backhand cross court rally against safin or any other player with good 2 handers, he's going to lose the rally. So he incorporates the slice not to give ryhthm to the opponent.

have you seen Roddick's slices against Federer?
by the time they get in a rally,Roddick slices and tries to run down the middle of the court and towards the net;Federer then switches grip from backhand to forehand and either hits a forehand pass or goes for a volley and leaves Roddick huffing and puffing before he even gets there :lol: :lol:
it will work against certain players but not against all of them;Murray;Haas have dealt with them all the time