AUSTRALIAN OPEN, Melbourne, ATP GRAND SLAM

[Carol]

I know perfectly well what's the difference between the S&V (like Sampras, McEnroe too) or just the volley like many players do better or worse, more often or not. My point is that every single player with a VERY good serve has a lot more chance to make points close to the net if he knows how to do it well because he makes his opponent to play close or behind the baseline

 

[Moxie]

I know perfectly well what's the difference between the S&V (like Sampras, McEnroe too) or just the volley like many players do better or worse, more often or not. My point is that every single player with a VERY good serve has a lot more chance to make points close to the net if he knows how to do it well because he makes his opponent to play close or behind the baseline

...and therefore he will, from early in his career, develop a volley, and then, will likely have a better one than a baseline player who has to build one in, like Rafa. And on top of it, if you're Roger, with all those tools, it'd be likely that your volley was pretty bloody good. Because Nadal is extraordinarily talented, he's got soft hands at the net, too, but the volley isn't a natural part of his game. It is a natural part of Roger's. So, logically, that explains why Roger's volley is better, even based on your own argument. Make sense?

 

[Carol]

...and therefore he will, from early in his career, develop a volley, and then, will likely have a better one than a baseline player who has to build one in, like Rafa. And on top of it, if you're Roger, with all those tools, it'd be likely that your volley was pretty bloody good. Because Nadal is extraordinarily talented, he's got soft hands at the net, too, but the volley isn't a natural part of his game. It is a natural part of Roger's. So, logically, that explains why Roger's volley is better, even based on your own argument. Make sense?

Maybe before but not now

 

[Moxie]

I am not exactly a fan too, but he got more palatable as of late. Anyway, picture the following scenario: Raonic has a very good serving day, Nadal is playing well, and the match turns out to be a titanic battle between a helluva a server and Nadal trying to find a break. A lot of tie breakers, and the fifth going long. Not too many chances, but not too few to become boring. One of the players finally breaks to get a 9-7 or 8-6 result. It spells like classic to me.

It might be cat-and-mouse. I like a player who can rally a bit better than Raonic, for my entertainment, but it might be more than just short points and TBs. We'll see.

 

[Moxie]

ATM, I'd say Tsonga is a bit sharper and Stan is a bit lethargic, but Jo hasn't been taking enough advantage. When/If Stan wakes up, Tsonga could be in trouble, if he doesn't find another gear, too.

 

[Moxie]

Jo let Stan wake up for the TB. Big mistake.

 

[Moxie]

Don't know what it was all about, but there was some major jarring during the change-over in French between Jo and Stan. "You lookin' at me?!" Like that.

 

[Tennis Fan]

LOL @ ill-informed. When talking about matches one rarely only goes to one aspect such as finals or semi-finals when so many other matches are played throughout the year.

Excellent post @masterclass - really interesting read.

I don't think anyone was talking about how many times Roger volleyed in the majors. When people speak, they usually talk in general terms and not sparse out information to fit their narrative. A person who volleys, usually volleys throughout the year, not just in majors. This is a weird direction you went in.

Totally don't get the point of this limited scope.

 

[Federberg]

^Lol! I find it hilarious that the whole volleying discussion is still going on. There is a serious perception problem here that has everything to do with a basic misunderstanding of top level tennis. Rafa volleys tactically to close out points. That scenario has a much higher success rate than a genuine serve and volley point. The fact that some have difficulty distinguishing tactical volleying from serve and volley reveals their understanding or lack of imho

 

[Carol]

Each one with his own........

So Stan likes to hit the ball to the players' body? he is bad but he will pay for that
The other day he did to Klizan and today to Tsonga , what a *#+|

 

[Tennis Fan]

^Lol! I find it hilarious that the whole volleying discussion is still going on. There is a serious perception problem here that has everything to do with a basic misunderstanding of top level tennis. Rafa volleys tactically to close out points. That scenario has a much higher success rate than a genuine serve and volley point. The fact that some have difficulty distinguishing tactical volleying from serve and volley reveals their understanding or lack of imho

The fact that people try to switch the narratives cracks me up too. The initial conversation was about volleys, not serve and volley, but sometimes people want to be so right that the point gets lost in the "arguing." The fact that Federer considers himself an aggressive baseliner seals the deal for me, no matter how many stats people try to use, and then, only in the four majors although they play all year? Not convinced. That type of data would have to be all-inclusive, not cherry picked, IMO.

 

[Tennis Fan]

Each one with his own........

So Stan likes to hit the ball to the players' body? he is bad but he will pay for that
The other day was to Klizan and today to Tsonga , what a *#+|

A lot of people can't handle that.

 

[Federberg]

The fact that people try to switch the narratives cracks me up too. The initial conversation was about volleys, not serve and volley, but sometimes people want to be so right that the point gets lost in the "arguing." The fact that Federer considers himself an aggressive baseliner seals the deal for me, no matter how many stats people try to use, and then, only in the four majors although they play all year? Not convinced. That type of data would have to be all-inclusive, not cherry picked, IMO.

That isn't switching the narrative. Why a volley is used is key to understanding the dynamic. Rafa only really volleys to close out points, don't you see that? You're always going to look better if that's the only time you do it. Now I actually think he's decent at volleying. But it's very interesting that you're trying to discuss volleying without the topic of serve and volley. You actually prove my point

 

[Vince Evert]

The biggest upset of the tournament's history. This is a more complete version but alas it's in russian-

 

[Vince Evert]

Didn't watch the QF match with Wawrinka/Tsonga . Was Stan really as dominant as the scores suggest ? I would've thought Tsonga would have been good enough to win a set. Just wonderin' what happened.

 

[britbox]

Didn't watch the QF match with Wawrinka/Tsonga . Was Stan really as dominant as the scores suggest ? I would've thought Tsonga would have been good enough to win a set. Just wonderin' what happened.

I missed the afternoon session...looking forward to the Fed/Zverev match though.

 

[Vince Evert]

...and therefore he will, from early in his career, develop a volley, and then, will likely have a better one than a baseline player who has to build one in, like Rafa. And on top of it, if you're Roger, with all those tools, it'd be likely that your volley was pretty bloody good. Because Nadal is extraordinarily talented, he's got soft hands at the net, too, but the volley isn't a natural part of his game. It is a natural part of Roger's. So, logically, that explains why Roger's volley is better, even based on your own argument. Make sense?

Aw come on , Roger's skill as a vollier is no better than Nadal's and Djokovic's. However Roger has a better natural game that can allow for attacking tennis than either Nadal or ND. Or to put it in another way, none of the three don't come within a bull's roar on past era champions volley skills such as Pete Sampras, Rafter, Edberg or McEnroe.

 

[Vince Evert]

GO KING ROGER. WIN THE BLOODY CHAMPIONSHIP IN STYLE & GRACE

 

[britbox]

GO KING ROGER. WIN THE BLOODY CHAMPIONSHIP IN STYLE & GRACE

No need to sit on the fence RZ.

 

[DarthFed]

Stanimal being Stanimal. Seriously decent chance that he comes away with another one on Sunday.