December 22, 2006
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TennisOne Community, On behalf of our team of 18 here at TennisOne, I wish you all a Happy Holiday. We appreciate your support and generous comments throughout the year. Below are some of the best-of-2006 articles by our outstanding editors and senior writers. Enjoy, stay tuned to TennisOne--the best is yet to come! Kim Shanley, Publisher
A Feel for the Court Jim McLennan During the past few weeks I have been mulling tennis projects for the New Year. Not necessarily mine, for the problems on my forehand side seem to age less like wine than the transition from wine to vinegar. No, I am working on projects for our club members, ways they may significantly improve their play in the New Year. Not really spring training, as in baseball where one goes back to the basics to refresh and reinforce the nuts and bolts of fielding, throwing, and hitting, but rather to explore an area often neglected in tennis – simply said, the notion of a feel for the court. Consider the wealth of information available to you. Articles on TennisOne, analyses by the talking heads who populate televised matches, instructional material in tennis magazines, as well as tips from your friendly local pro (and I hope you have contact with such a person). Truly, between grip changes, revised stances, wrap finishes, inside out forehand plays, and more, no one can keep track of all these things simultaneously. At the end of the day, perhaps one or two ideas may resonate when on court. And, at 4-5, 30-all, one may be less aware of an opponent's court positioning, or the nuances of the incoming ball, and simply determined to drive the ball down the line with a semi western forehand where a delicate crosscourt lob would have been less risky and much more likely to win the point. What I am saying is that in nearly all instances, there occurs one shot that carries less risk and offers more reward than all the others. The art of the game lies within the skill to identify and then the ability to execute that particular shot and expose an opponent's flank (as it were). Within the men’s professional game, three players come to mind who exhibit an uncommon feel for the court. First and foremost, Roger Federer has a knack for topspin, backspin, offense, defense, ground strokes, volleys, and the feel to change spin, direction, and even tactics seemingly at will. In total contrast to the big bangers who hammer away from the baseline without much variety, Federer is a breath of fresh air to all who value the breadth of the game.
Similarly, Andy Murray displays this all court knack. Topspin backhands, under spin backhands, subtle change of pace, and wonderfully varied tactics. Murray is knocking on the door of the “Top Ten” but more due to his overall skill than a sledge hammer forehand. And finally, who can forget John McEnroe, dominating the game from the baseline, from the net, on the serve, and on the return. In fact, his feel for the court was totally evident when at the ripe old age of 47 he captured the 2006 SAP Open doubles title, outplaying every opponent with touch, with angle, and with smarts, but certainly without the brute power or reflexes of his younger opponents. One can only imagine how limited many of our current crop of bangers would appear were they to compete at a similar age. A few years ago, Pete Sampras described the magical day that occurred now and then on court, when, as he said, “My shots and my decisions are perfect.” Meaning, in the wink of an eye, whether serving and volleying, mastering Agassi’s blistering returns, or scrambling along the baseline for his trademark running forehand winner, Pete had to decide whether down the line or cross court, sharply angle or heavy to the corner, deep and down the middle or a low skidding approach. In each case those decisions flowed from an acute awareness of his and his opponent’s court position. Well the same occurs with you and me. But somehow many players seem fixated on a particular stroke in nearly all situations; they rigidly employ the same strategy no matter the opponent; or remain stuck in particular court positions without regard to the length and difficulty of the incoming shot. In contrast, those who continue to win (often without elegant strokes) appear flexible, able to improvise, to use lobs, drops, and drives depending on the court position of the opponent. Take a look around your home courts. I am willing to bet you can find one of the better players who exemplify just this; canny, varied, gifted, and capable of many shots, all depending on the nature of the situation and the position of the opponent. So if this strikes a resonant chord as you select a New Years resolution, how might you go about it? See the Court Don’t simply watch the ball as it travels back and forth. Pay close attention to your opponent’s location and balance at contact. Note when he/she is well behind the baseline, when slow to recover from a wide ball, or when crowding the net after an approach shot or volley. When out of position, there is always a particular shot that will expose an opponent's vulnerability, but first one must recognize the situation and then, and only, then execute the shot. Use the Lob and Drop Shot When an opponent is at the net, too often we attempt to hit the ball through them. If in fact the overhead is the least practiced shot, then a nifty crosscourt lob (the court is longer in this direction) pays generally good dividends. And further, when an opponent is well behind the baseline, we are often unaware of or reluctant to use the drop shot. Before you can ever “put it where they ain’t,” you must have control of the shots that can do just that. Think Outside the Box Every opponent has a tendency, a style of play, and a preference for certain positions on the court. Play the match as though you are an observer. Calmly note where they tend to play on the baseline, how they position themselves at the net, and how quickly they recover when out of position. The match is not always about you. The winning and losing can be as much or more about the opponent. But just as every opponent has strengths and weaknesses in their groundstrokes, the same occurs with their court positioning. Yes, grips, technique, footwork, and fitness are the building blocks of the game. But once assembled, it is the artisan who choreographs these elements into a complete game – Mac, Federer, and Murray create masterpieces, much like spiders weaving a web. Imagine that you might do the same. (Click link to purchase Jim's McLennan's Secrets of World Class Footwork Video.) As always, we would love to hear from you! Questions, comments, personal experiences all create helpful dialogue for everyone! Please click here to send us your email.
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