Uh, What's Spanish for Topspin?
There was a little known tennis match the other day, between 2 journeyman named Nadal and Federer. Um, okay… maybe that was understated a bit. Their latest match, for the championship at the Australian Open was at least for tennis fans—The Day the Earth Stood Still, II. Though this was the 19th time they have played, Nadal had before the match won 12 of the 18 previous matches which should have made him the clear favorite. However, Federer has won more hardcourt titles and also giving him the edge was the way he went through the draw including a 2 hour semi-final against Roddick versus Nadal’s 5 hour, 385 point marathon against Verdasco.
So all the stars were in line for Federer to match Sampras’ record of 14 grand slam singles titles, or so it seemed. Federer was expected to win. To show how much emotion and pressure he felt he wept on the court when it was over. Can you imagine Tiger Woods losing the Masters in a playoff and then crying at the awards ceremony (well maybe if the win meant breaking Nicklaus’ record).
This blog is titled “best of both worlds”, because both Nadal and Federer do things that assure they will both be 1 and 2 in the world for well into the foreseeable future.
Nadal’s strengths include a new and improved serve. Two years ago a returner could be aggressive and put away his 90 mph second serves. Now his first and second serve are kicking, or flat, into the body, or out wide - it’s why the best baseball pitchers are paid so much, it keeps the person at the plate (or at the return line) guessing and it’s harder to hit well.
Groundstrokes. When you see Nadal play, especially in person or when the camera gods warrant a ground view, you can see the massive spin that Nadal imparts on the ball. Spin hit slowly is nothing. Spin hit with tremendous power is called a “heavy ball” and it takes strength and the sweet spot of your racquet to return the ball. If Nadal hit flat he would be sending spectators to the emergency room in the first and second rows. However, because of the topspin he
can swing like Barry Bonds on vitamins and the ball always makes it back into the court. When I would coach players at the high school level and if the ball hit the net (or tape), or if the ball went long, my advice was always the same—MORE TOPSPIN. Check out these players pics on this page - right before impact – think they are hitting UP on the ball? Do teen girls like the mall?
Hey, let’s not forget about the sensitive guy from Switzerland who has had a pretty good career for himself who has Tiger Woods’ cell number. Federer is fun to watch play. He like Nadal both play AMAZING DEFENSE and can turn a point almost lost into just another one for the highlight reel when they come up with an amazing shot – and they both do it with regularity.
But aside from their great defensive games—which club players never seem to focus on, is Federer’s ability to TAKE THE BALL EARLY. When you can take the ball in t
he court- versus behind the baseline, you are giving yourself more angles which can easily end the point in your favor. Also, once you hit it, you are also giving your opponent less time to react and then get to your shot. Combining that with the flatter trajectory that Roger hits and that’s why he was #1 for over 200 weeks until late into 2008.
So all the stars were in line for Federer to match Sampras’ record of 14 grand slam singles titles, or so it seemed. Federer was expected to win. To show how much emotion and pressure he felt he wept on the court when it was over. Can you imagine Tiger Woods losing the Masters in a playoff and then crying at the awards ceremony (well maybe if the win meant breaking Nicklaus’ record).
This blog is titled “best of both worlds”, because both Nadal and Federer do things that assure they will both be 1 and 2 in the world for well into the foreseeable future.
Nadal’s strengths include a new and improved serve. Two years ago a returner could be aggressive and put away his 90 mph second serves. Now his first and second serve are kicking, or flat, into the body, or out wide - it’s why the best baseball pitchers are paid so much, it keeps the person at the plate (or at the return line) guessing and it’s harder to hit well.
Groundstrokes. When you see Nadal play, especially in person or when the camera gods warrant a ground view, you can see the massive spin that Nadal imparts on the ball. Spin hit slowly is nothing. Spin hit with tremendous power is called a “heavy ball” and it takes strength and the sweet spot of your racquet to return the ball. If Nadal hit flat he would be sending spectators to the emergency room in the first and second rows. However, because of the topspin he
can swing like Barry Bonds on vitamins and the ball always makes it back into the court. When I would coach players at the high school level and if the ball hit the net (or tape), or if the ball went long, my advice was always the same—MORE TOPSPIN. Check out these players pics on this page - right before impact – think they are hitting UP on the ball? Do teen girls like the mall?Hey, let’s not forget about the sensitive guy from Switzerland who has had a pretty good career for himself who has Tiger Woods’ cell number. Federer is fun to watch play. He like Nadal both play AMAZING DEFENSE and can turn a point almost lost into just another one for the highlight reel when they come up with an amazing shot – and they both do it with regularity.
But aside from their great defensive games—which club players never seem to focus on, is Federer’s ability to TAKE THE BALL EARLY. When you can take the ball in t
he court- versus behind the baseline, you are giving yourself more angles which can easily end the point in your favor. Also, once you hit it, you are also giving your opponent less time to react and then get to your shot. Combining that with the flatter trajectory that Roger hits and that’s why he was #1 for over 200 weeks until late into 2008.
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