A few years ago I had a conversation at Wimbledon with Robbie Koenig the South African commentator about the lost “art” of serving and volleying in the “modern” game. I believe it was “lost”
because of the ability of most junior coaches to imitate rather than innovate. It is actually comical to hear the commentators of the “new generations” sitting in the commentary booths going ” wow! Ooh! He served and volleyed and we don’t see this type of thing that often!”
Here comes Zverev and plays this style and has big success already. Out of nowhere. What a novel idea!!
Think about this for a second. Go to YouTube and look which of the “modern coaches” actually have videos of the serve and volley game. How many videos are there of the serve and volley game being discussed etc vs how many technical videos are there of all the top guys on their groundstrokes. It is by far ONLY about the backcourt game and monstrous groundstrokes.
I blame the “death” ( I hope not forever) of the art of serve and volley on “sheeple” coaches who never really knew how to do it and have been swept along into the “mainstream” idea of it is impossible to do. Hogwash!
Sampras and Agassi were completely contrasting styles. Andre had one of the best returns in the game ever! And Sampras served and volleyed nearly every serve on hard courts and it really becomes a battle of “wills” and Sampras ended up with the records in majors as the good serve and volleyer tends to get an advantage over the long haul. Both styles were very exciting to watch in my opinion.
I certainly hope the serve and volley game can be coached by coaches from a young age as a tactic at least and as the kids get stronger they will develop great movements skills and better balance and quicker reactions all around the court!
It will make tennis great again!
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« Previous 1 2Hartt · January 27, 2017 at 4:42 pm
Meant to add that I loved Mirka’s fierce support for Fed, although earlier in the match she was looking pretty discouraged, not even looking up at times.
catherine bell · January 28, 2017 at 3:19 am
I think women should play five sets in GS finals.
(and this is before women’s final)
They are easily strong enough these days. And nothing to do with equal pay 🙂
catherine bell · January 28, 2017 at 5:52 am
Not that it would have made any difference this time 🙂
Now on to the true GS Serena 🙂
Hartt · January 28, 2017 at 7:39 am
I would like to see best of 5 starting in the QFs. For the men as well – it would free up some time in the first week when the schedule is so packed. And maybe it would encourage more male players to play doubles in a Slam. If best of 3 for the men (until QFs) meant some upsets I am fine with that.
Scoop Malinowski · January 28, 2017 at 8:12 am
3 out of 5 is what makes Grand Slam tennis the awe inspiring spectacle that it is – must keep it that way – if Tennis is too tough for athletes to play then maybe they should go to pro boxing or football or hockey 🙂
catherine bell · January 28, 2017 at 8:43 am
Scoop –
I agree, except for women where the final will do, but the trend toward men playing 3 sets in all but GS events began years ago and I suppose the pressure towards that came from TV although I’m not sure – maybe the players too.
Do men players find the switch from 3 sets to 5 a bit difficult ? I don’t know.
Hartt – I bet the WTA would have something to say about their precious members having to sweat through 5 sets. If WTA had its way we’d be watching one set matches with no ad scoring and 3 point tie break 🙂
Of course it could play havoc with scheduling if we had long matches in both men and women’s draws.
Scoop Malinowski · January 28, 2017 at 9:17 am
Shortening tennis would be as silly as shortening baseball to six innings or football to three quarters etc – Boxing did shorten to twelve round in world title fights about 25 years ago but no other sport has followed that trend – I say keep tennis as it is including playing out the last set with no tiebreakers in the events that still do it that way –
Andrew Miller · January 28, 2017 at 10:36 am
Another article recommendation – there is one on the Williams and specifically Serena on ESPNW that’s written in the style of Scoops books interviews with everyone from their mom to the guy tending the public courts in Compton that spans over two decades of memories. It’s exceptional.
When Renae Stubbs says the Williams tennis story is among greatest tennis stories in history gotta say I agree.
Rick Macci had an interesting take too on the ingredient that makes a champ. For him he said straight up competitiveness and desire. He said what many said when the Williams started that he wasn’t sure what to think UNTIL they played a match in front of him and then he knew it saw how fiercely they played when something was on the line.
I also forgot that David Witt was Venus coach! I’m glad these former us junior champs turned into great coaches. I always think about past articles on Witt Dunn McPhie Parker Ho few who were hyped. Witt real service was not personal glory but making a great champ greater.
That’s worthy too.
Andrew Miller · January 28, 2017 at 10:44 am
Moyas work with Raonic speaks for itself a Brisbane title an Aussie semi a Wimbledon final and a ATP world tour semifinal. Raonic has hired excellent people and made great choices for coaches. He was surprised by Ljubicic leaving and then made even better hires!
His physical issues against Nadal and Harrison are notable.
catherine bell · January 28, 2017 at 11:13 am
What influence has Serena Williams had on women’s tennis overall – the way it’s played etc. Has she had any or is she sui generis ?
I’d be interested in any opinions.
Hartt · January 28, 2017 at 1:54 pm
Andrew, it took some hunting to find the ESPNW piece on Serena but it was worth the effort. It is titled “Road to 23: the story of Serena’s path to greatness,” written by Alyssa Roenigk and posted on Jan, 12, 2017.
I knew most of the info, having read bios of Serena, but it was interesting to have it gathered in 1 comprehensive article. Also, the comments by her fitness trainer, Mackie Shilstone, were new and so especially interesting. Thanks for the heads up.
Bobby · January 28, 2017 at 7:25 pm
In reply to Catherine Bell.
I agree women can play best of five sets. Longest women’s match was 6 hours 31 minutes between Vicki Nelson and Jean Hepner. It included a 29 minute 643 shot rally. Women did play five sets around the late 80s and early 90s. Don’t remember the reason why they stopped. Women can run marathons and triathilons.
catherine bell · January 29, 2017 at 2:52 am
Bobby
Yes – the year end finals for women were 5 sets. I remember watching Graf v Sabatini in 88 I think.
Probably TV was the reason they stopped. Didn’t like such long matches or something equally silly.
No one answered my question about Serena’s influence so presumably she’s had no influence at all 🙂
catherine bell · January 29, 2017 at 10:23 am
Following my own comment I started thinking about players who influenced and changed the game – on the women’s side Alice Marble introduced the aggressive athletic s/v approach and Chris Evert introduced or re-introduced a dominant baseline style.
Jack Kramer had a big influence on men’s tennis after the war.
Then I suppose it was Borg with his topspin.