Real Tennis Players - Like You! - Asking For, and Offering, Advice on the Sport They Love
Player to Player is USTA.com’s regular 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. PLAYER TO PLAYER DOESN'T WORK WITHOUT YOUR QUESTIONS, so please send any queries you’d like answered, or responses to other players' questions, to Player@USTA.com.
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This week's question from Han-Chi: | "I play often, at least 4 or five days a week. I notice that my strings tend to lose their "feel" a week after stringing my racket. It can last for about another week before breaking. Because of this problem, I need to restring my racket within two weeks. Does anyone have any suggestions on strings that has great feel but lasts long?" | | Please share your thoughts with Han-Chi by e-mailing Player@USTA.com and include your name and hometown.
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Last week’s question from Bill:
(Please note: There's no need to send additional responses to this question)
"Do you have any suggestions on how to handle balls that kick-up above shoulder level for those with a one-handed backhand side? Currently, I try slicing them back, but that seems to put me on the defense. Thanks."
PLAYER RESPONSES:
From Richard, Huntington Beach, CA:
The high topspin ball to the backhand can usually be dealt with in one of two common ways. One would be to try to catch the ball on the rise, and hit the ball right after the ball bounces. Or you could stand further back, and catch the ball at a more comfortable position; somewhere around waist level. Although it is much easier to move back until the balls arrives at the waist level, it needs much more power in order to get it over the net. It also means the opponent generally has enough time to prepare for that kind of ball, so you might succumb to a drop or a poach at the net. Therefore, the on-the-rise shot is usually a better shot, as it takes off reaction time from the other player, and you don't need to use as much strength to hit a powerful ball, considering the velocity of the ball after it takes off from the ground. Although it takes more time, I would suggest hitting the ball on the rise.
From Kai:
I have the same issue. What my coach has taught me to do is either take the ball early (on the rise), step way back and catch it on the way down, or once the ball has gotten up too high, I hit over it (basically brushing up on it and over the top to create topspin which helps to bring it down again). It really is a tricky shot and quite uncomfortable for me but those are my only options.
Many times I can read the shot before it happens and I usually end up taking it early. That way I stay in an offensive position. I think that's the best solution. Good luck!
From Brad W., Alpharetta, GA:
To play an aggressive backhand to a ball that kicks up, you must put top spin on the return. Regardless of how high the ball comes into your backhand, you can still hit up through the ball with an upward motion of the racquet. Remember the phrase "up and through" when hitting those balls that are head high. This has become one of my favorite shots and I am thankful when I get that type of ball.
From Jim L., Palm Desert, CA:
There's no doubt that a tough high-kicking serve or a high-bouncing topspin ball to the backhand side is tough to handle for one-hand backhands. A lot of two-handed backhand players suffer in hitting this shot back as well.
First of all, your backspin backhand is one good reply. And while backspin is indeed the best defensive spin, it doesn't always have to be a defensive shot.
With so few players coming into the net these days, you can stay neutral just by hitting this ball back deep. If you've chosen to take a ball up high, the key is to start your racquet and hand up high. If you watch most of the top pros, you'll see that they're using their opposite hand on the throat of the racquet to help prepare the racquet face at the right height as well as the right angle.
From there, work on hitting back through high-to-high. Aim 4 - 5 feet over the net and hit it firmly. If you chop too much, it's really easy to hit the ball into the net or hit a short, easy ball to your opponent. Think of it as a flat shot, even though you're turning the racquet face under as you hit through.
If you run into the rare player today who hits high to your backhand and then tries to come in behind it, you'll have to work on a firm, low chip that clears the net at two feet or less so you can hopefully still keep your opponent neutral by making them hit a low volley or half-volley.
You can also work on taking the ball much earlier - before it gets above your head. This tends to work well on returns of serve where your movement has been fairly minimal. Simply don't let that kick serve get up to a place where it's out of control. Take it on the short hop with a nice short backswing and a firm chip right through the ball.
Any way you look at it, if you hit through the ball firmly without too much chop or lift, it means you'll have a nice low bounce on the other side. Even if it's a short ball, most players will still struggle with it because it's low.
Certainly you can also learn to take the ball early, close the face and hit a topspin shot as well. Some people even find it fairly easy to close the face and hit a half-swinging half-volley on this shot, but the timing is difficult.
Okay. Enough. Good luck!
From Michael M.:
You are doing the right thing. Slice the ball, try to get it back deep. Wait for something shorter in your strike zone that you can hit hard. Be patient.
The only other option is to move way back and hit up on it with top spin like the dirt ballers at the French Open. Personally, I don't like moving back. I'd rather stay on the base line or step up and slice through the ball. Good luck.
From Eric R., Santa Rosa, CA:
High balls kicking up have been the Achilles heel of very many one handed backhand players like yourself.
The solution comes in two phases but both involve attacking the ball early with your feet moving your weight into the ball early.
Backhands taken on the rise take hours of practice, but that is what will work best. Either topspin or slice can be used on the rise. The slice is best vs fast kick serves. Topspin is best when you have more time on the baseline to attack it on the rise.
Once you are late and the ball is up at your chin, you have to be defensive. A topspin lob back at their backhand is an effective defensive tactic if you get it deep.
If your opponent is moonballing with slow high topspin, just move in and hit it out of the air at midcourt.
All high balls must be hit early, out in front, in order to allow you to generate offensive replies.
*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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