SAP Open – Raonic and McEnroe capture the event

Hi Jim, I really liked the slow motion as it clearly shows all sequences, the grip reminds me of S. Edberg…..however the fluidity of Raonic`s serve is truly sublime!!

Thanks Andreas

I like the way Raonic bows the left side of his hip out on his windup, and then strokes ball by throwing right shoulder over left shoulder. It works for me too, when I remember to do it.

been reading the comments…concentrating on the grip…what does that extended claw-like fore-finger do for him..especially when you love to show Pete’s two fingers off the racquet.
does that finger help him relax his grip..it looks like it would impede the relaxation many of us work for…one that Pete so obviously had.

I watched McEnroe much during his prime and beyond. And you are correct — he brings all the shots with such balance and such effortless ease that each time he had me believing, “Hey, I can do that!” And as an analyst, he is the only one I hear critiquing a player’s court position.
I have also heard him decrying the fact that modern singles contenders do not play enough doubles to keep those skills at a higher level (but I did see Murray teamed with Peng Shuai in Mixed in the AO).
Now that I am going through your Ground Game course I see balance everywhere I look (I owe you a great deal for that!), and like Pete Sampras, Raonics is superb in that respect. Perhaps that has to do with getting so much velocity out of so little trunk rotation?

Jim, you have produced another brilliant analysis, short and sharp. Had the good fortune to watch Raonic in Chennai, India in Jan. He won the tournament beating Janko Tipsy in the final. The serves sounded like gunshots! What is amazing is his consistency and the depth on the serve even when hitting flat and hard-he probably had a 80% plus 1st serve in over the two sets. Hope to see you in India !

I really enjoyed watching his serve. One thing that would make the videos better is if your text comments (which I like) would remain on the screen LONGER… They flashed by so fast that I had trouble reading them and looking at the pictures as well.

Dear Jim,

I also use single hand back hand. But, i have a concern here. My coach is pushing me to hit in open stand. is open stand or being cross is a correct approach? If both are correct approach, which one should we use most often? or which stand should be used in which circumstances?

Regards,
Sujit

As always great observations! would be great to see a dominate server with a all court skills like Pistol emerge at the top of the game again.
I especially enjoy your focus on the serve and its importance in today’s tennis. With all the attention given to the great base line games of Novak, Rafa and Andy and their great ability to return, it is easy to overlook the importance of service, particularly the second service. Weak second serves are key to why Novak beats them. ( Rafa’s first serve doesn’t help much either)

Joe

The Big Cat was always one of my favorites !!!!
He reminded me of….me

Hi Jim. Wow, Milos is nice and smooth right throughout his serve, energy efficient and makes it look easy, as I remember Pete Sampras. I like the detailed camera work, outlining technical aspects.

I have a 10 year old daughter who is taking to the game and we are presently building her serve, following the pointers you have endorsed and already we can see the benefits (the reason I registered with you). I have kept the grip continental and can see more of a side slice, however, every now and then some top spin. I guess, when she gets stronger in the forearm, she will be able to move that grip more to the ‘eastern backhand’ grip to generate more kick?

She is using little if any bent knee action at present (she’s short, little), until the toss tempo is smooth and consistent.

There are more differences than similarities. If he is modeling Pete he needs work on his modeling skills.

Thanks for the slo-mo.

Hello I’m Terry an unemployed tennis fan. I have enjoyed your letters and emails. They helped me improve my kick serve to the point I have one of the best serve at my club. I always had a very fluid powerful first serve and could do it on my second. But now they dont know what to expect. Raonic is a great player. he almost seems lazy but always gets there with plenty of time. His serve is one of the best. KISS very simple. plus he is just fun to watch.

Would you explain Milos grip for the serve. The grip looks more eastern than I am use to seeing.Thank you for the great footage.

Coach Mac,
I watched the first set of the Raonic final but had to leave early. There was a mariachi band playing nearby that I wanted to see. But anyway, I noticed that Raonic stands far behind the baseline during rallies similar to Andy Roddick. While Roddick has had a very nice career many would say he didn’t live up to the expectations that were placed on him at an early age. Do you think Raonic has the ability to surpass what Roddick has done and can he do it with his current game. By the way….I’ve heard about you….I hear you have one of the best chip backhands down the line. Is this true ?

John Mcenroe has always been a favorite of mine even with his explosive outbursts at the refs etc. His passion for tennis is obvious as is his desire win! He always gave 110%. He never tanked in a match! When he did lose, he made his opponents beat him; he did not beat himself!

It’s amazing to me that he can hit a 140 mph “flat” first serve with an eastern backhand grip

Jim:

Wonderful adaptation of the slo-mo camera with insightful observations. Well received by me. It is obvious to me that you take the time to “get it right” while passing along your timely information to others. I commend you for not only taking time to share information, but also pointing out the technical points that need addressing. To view this short video and note your comments was time well spent. You got right to the point and did not waste time reviewing material that was not germaine to the subject. Keep up the good work.

Well done,

Jim Walker USPTA #53113

Thanks for the Raonic clip! It helped. I over analyze everything: which way the arm goes back, when the shoulders turn, when the knees drop, etc. Just seeing his motion over and over helped me to visual and copy a better rhythm (at least in my office!). IMHO his motion is more efficient than Sampras’ motion. Sampras’ tossing arm goes up well before his racquet arm, requiring a higher toss. Raonic’s arms are in sync better.

KingArth commented about doubts that Mac could make it in doubles at the pro level in a major championship. He might be right that the game could be too powerful for someone his age. To overcome that, you’d have to play a lot smarter than your opponents and throw them a lot of different looks with your own partner. The biggest area of disadvantage would seem to be on Mac’s serve, which wouldn’t have the pace of the younger guys. Here Mac’s partner would really have to step up to disrupt the returners game. All that said, I think Mac’s strengths are his tennis smarts and his racquet skills, which I think would give him a chance. Put him together with Leander Paes and you might have some of the smartest doubles teams today (though the service game would be challenged). I don’t know if he could make it in today’s game but I know it would be fun to watch.

Jim, great video of Raonic’s serve. Quick question about his serve grip. The video describes it as a severe eastern backhand. However to me it looks like Raonic is mostly cupping his hand making the racquet look closed. I’m sure he’s not pure continental but I suspect he’s not as severe a backhand grip as the video suggests. Thoughts?
Thanks!

Amazing he can get that power with an extreme eastern backhand grip. I use that grip for extra spin on my kicker but I find it robs me of power — but that is coming from an old 4.0 player!

The one handed backhand may not be a thing of the past but to counter guys like Nadal and to be number 1, it sure has a disadvantage.

IMO Mac would struggle at a major, one cannot turn back the clock. He was a great player in his era. Today is different with the power from the strings and rackets. Exhibitions are there to entertain, it is not pro tennis.