[tennisbiz] Topspin volley

I really have no business commenting on this subject at all, because I
am not teaching tennis, just a long-time player and student of the game.
Scott Stacey's comment hit a nerve with me, and I'd like to add my
opinion.

While on one hand, I like to see innovative approaches to playing the
game - except stupid things like replacing the third set at tournaments
with a tie breaker - I agree with Scott that the swinging volley is
another step in 'dumbing down' the game.

I have always enjoyed true serve-and volley players like Edberg and
Rafter, but with a clay court background I also like to see players who
know how to construct a point, working their way to the net. A pleasant
experience last year was to see Pavel at the Canadian Open (?). This is
a player without any huge weapons, but he played very intelligently, and
often finished the points with a volley.

Players like that, use the volley to finish the point when the opponent
is out of position or to consolidate their grip of the point, not by
going for the outright winner, but to bring the opponent further out of
position, so that the next volley will be the winner.

I have also seen world-class pros hitting swinging volleys from a
position near the net - and missing badly - in a situation where a nice
drop volley would have done the job.

I am with you, Scott: Let's keep the minds and brains in the game!

Kjell Petterson


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Received on Tue Feb 26 2002 - 08:01:10 CST