Mixing Things Up – Changing Length Speed and Spin

The drop shot

Federer disdained the drop shot in his early years.

But Roger believes it helped him capture the French Open in 2009 when opponents were often positioned deep to run down his shots

At your end, if you are unable to hit through or around your opponent, or you are simply playing one who positions well behind the baseline – be creative, mix it up, use every inch of the court, shorting the ball works!

On that score please consider Hsieh Su-Wei- before the covid break she has had wins over Naomi Osaka, Simona Halep and Jelena Ostapenko.

Hitting with two hands on both sides her unpredictable shot selection “flummoxes” opponents.

Karolina Pliskova, describes it as, “The style is just, I don’t know — nobody has it.”

“You want to go and play normal tennis — and not this tennis — in practice, so … ”

Most players approach the game with identical hitting skills and tactical plans.  It is somehow easier to anticipate as there are less surprises, less change of direction, and it is easier to maintain rhythm and composure.

Go to Youtube to search “AMAZING!” – Watch Hsieh Su-wei’s Best Shots of 2019! WTA

Your ball control will always and only be influenced by these  three things

  • Angle of the racquet face

  • Swing path

  • Tempo

And those three keys, when varied, will be your key to mixing things up

Please – develop variety, mixing speed, spin and length

Your opponent would prefer rhythm and a predictable opponent.

Why not develop these skills yourself ?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4 Comments

  • Bob Thurm

    Reply Reply July 21, 2020

    Wonderful point! Reminds me of Fabrice Santoro!

    • Jim McLennan

      Reply Reply July 21, 2020

      Bob – thanks for the note – some years ago we were able to watch Fabrice at the US Open – truly incredible! – Jim

  • Eugenio ovalle

    Reply Reply July 20, 2020

    Great
    You are teaching an all court game
    Which dissapeared from the map
    When the Spanish brought their game an the Williams sister-just overpower everybody else
    They can be beaten by having an all court game
    And using the drop shot as part of your arsenal
    Eugene

    • Jim McLennan

      Reply Reply July 21, 2020

      Eugenio – your note about the all court game was great – but for the time being it appears to be somewhat rare versus the baseline to baseline exchanges – somehow I think there is a wily server out there with a good return of serve who will be hard to beat with this type of variety – Jim

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