Real Tennis Players - Like You! - Asking For, and Offering, Advice on the Sport They Love
Player to Player is USTA.com’s bi-weekly feature in which everyday tennis players are given a forum to ask advice on the sport they love – and their fellow players will dish out advice. We’ll post a number of the best responses we receive to our question of the week. Please send any questions you’d like answered, or responses to other player’s questions, to Player@USTA.com.
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This week’s question from Monty L., Colorado
Can anyone recommend some good shoes to wear while playing tennis after recovering from an ankle sprain?
Please share your advice with Monty by e-mailing Player@USTA.com with your name and hometown. Got a question of your own? Send that along, too.
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Last week’s question from Don
My backhand is good as long as I take the groundstroke low, but a high bounce to my backhand side is tough. How should I handle a shot like that?
PLAYER RESPONSES
From Bill Mountford, Director of Tennis, USTA National Tennis Center, Flushing Meadows, NY
High backhands are difficult for players at every level, especially for those with one-handed backhands. There are two primary choices, based on positioning, that should help you to play backhands at the “optimum” contact point (which means the ideal height and distance from your body).
1. Move back on a deep, high ball and play the shot as it is descending after the bounce. This will likely mean that you will be making contact well behind the baseline, and after you do, look to recover quickly. Also, from way back there, hit your shot with a more comfortable margin for error over the net.
2. Move in quickly and play the ball on the rise before it gets uncomfortably high. This will require quick recognition of the incoming shot and fast footwork. The challenge with this shot selection is that your timing needs to be precise; the benefit is that you will play the ball considerably earlier and thus rob your opponent of valuable recovery time.
If you are not able to move into position and play the shot on the descent (#1 suggestion) or on the rise (#2), then you need to compromise your effort. Playing a shot that is far out of your comfort zone requires understanding that you will not hit it with as much conviction. So, if you are forced to hit an uncomfortably high ball, minimize your risks and just get it back into play. At least you will stay “alive” in the point and give your opponent a chance to miss or yourself the opportunity to play an easier shot on the next ball.
From Jason Brown, USTA.com
A high bounce on the backhand side is one of the most difficult shots to tackle in tennis. I would take one of two approaches. As soon as you recognize that your opponent's shot is going to come up high on your backhand side, quickly move your feet and step inside the baseline to catch the flight of the ball at its lowest point. This requires excellent timing, which may or may not be your forte. If you're looking for an example of a professional who excels at this shot, watch Andre Agassi. His timing is superb, and he can take the ball so early that he removes the opponent's advantage and is able to carve his return into an aggressive shot.
Now, if your footwork and timing aren't a strength of your game, you may want to take the opposite tactic by stepping back. After taking a few steps behind the baseline, wait for the heavy-topspinned ball to come down into your hitting zone and strike a safe, deep return. Wait out your opponent and look for a shot to attack.
From Mitch Kajzer of Granger, IN; Two-time Player Spotlight feature
A high bounce to the backhand side is a difficult shot to handle. This is due to having to strike the ball outside of the optimal contact point. To generate maximum power and topspin on the backhand side, the ball should be struck somewhere between the knees and the waist.
While easier said than done, footwork is probably the most critical element when preparing to strike this shot. You should try to get in position so that the ball doesn’t have the opportunity to bounce out of your strike zone. Take the ball on the rise while it is still in the optimal contact zone.
If the ball does bounce out of your strike zone, there are a few options available. If you are in a defensive position, try to hit a defensive lob. This shot is not a topspin or backspin shot, but simply a ball hit with an open racquet face. This shot requires height and depth. Try to hit the ball as deep as possible and keep it in the air for at least two seconds. This will give you time to get back into position and back into the point.
Another option is to return the shot with a slice backhand. The optimal contact point for this shot is between the waist and the chest. Racquet preparation starts high and then the shot is struck with downswing through the contact point. This makes the high bounce easier to handle and your slice return will frequently result in a weak reply from your opponent, enabling you to attack on your next shot.
A final option, although the most difficult one, is to attempt to hit the high bounce with a topspin backhand. This is the most difficult because you are attempting to strike the ball when it is outside of the optimal contact point. Early preparation is key to this shot. Your racquet should start high and the racquet head should be pointing towards the sky.
As the ball approaches, drop your racquet head below the point of contact and begin your upward swing. This low-to-high momentum will generate the topspin on your shot. The farther below the point of contact that your racquet head drops, the more topspin there will be. At contact, your arm should be fully extended and the point of contact well out in front of your body. While the most difficult reply to the high-bouncing shot, this final option will allow you to return a heavy topspin shot that will required your opponent to deal with a ball that will likely bounce out of his strike zone.
From Jean W. of Austin, TX
The keys to handling balls that are hit high to your backhand side include being patient and waiting for the ball to drop into your hitting zone, while maintaining proper balance and footwork as the ball is dropping. If one hurries through this backhand shot, it is difficult to get the ball back into play. Stay light on your feet to adjust as needed; this is crucial if wind is a factor. Try to strike the ball when it is about waist high, which means your racket should be back and ready to swing when the ball is above your head. Remember to follow through with a smooth motion. Good Luck!
From Janicije K. of New York, NY
I usually make a backhand return that looks like a backhand volley return from the base line, or you can slice it, but you can't slice forever. It will take some practice for sure, but it will pay off down the road. I hope it works for you as it did for me because it definitely works. Regards and good luck!
*Please note that any advice given out in this forum should in no way be confused with actual medical advice. Before starting any new exercise regimen or altering your existing one, we strongly urge you to consult with your regular physician.
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