Down the T: #1 Chris Lewis Interview

[britbox]

I would love to see an in-depth interview with Robin Söderling about his win against Nadal @ Roland Garros. Especially i would like to hear some of the things about preparations, mindset, tactics, his thoughts during the game, execution - how he felt when winning that specific point.

I know im asking alot, but if you can make it happend i'd start pay for your content

I wouldnt.. His plan was very simple, hit the ball hard, when Rafa hits a short ball .. step in and hit the ball harder..You can get that type of insight from any Ncaa college player. imo. but its your wish and I am quite sure Britbox can make it happen for you if possible:blush:

I will try but I doubt they would agree to it. Most of the top pros these days have big agencies handling them and if you aren't knocking on the door accompanied by a sack full of cash then they don't want to know. Will try though and hopefully eat my words.

 

[Kieran]

Hi, uh, I is Robbin Sodlin. Is pronounce Sod-off-erling. What question you ass?

How I hit ball?

With huge muskle.

How I play Nadal?

I hate him.

How I face Roger is the Federer?

He is friend. I don't mind loss, I big smile.

But wait, who is you? Britbox?

Big muskle!

 

[the AntiPusher]

Hi, uh, I is Robbin Sodlin. Is pronounce Sod-off-erling. What question you ass?

How I hit ball?

With huge muskle.

How I play Nadal?

I hate him.

How I face Roger is the Federer?

He is friend. I don't mind loss, I big smile.

But wait, who is you? Britbox?

Big muskle!

Too Hilarious Mr K.. LOL

 

[tented]

Really nice read, especially his take on the Wimbledon experience and McEnroe in the final. You gotta love the comment Connors made about the US Open (really, could anyone else have made that statement--and then followed through?). Oh, Jimbo, how I miss seeing you play.

I smiled as I pictured him saying that. It's interesting how many others have also mentioned it. I think it's right up there with, "This is what they pay for. This is what
they want."

http://youtu.be/8oZ4IuutpFY?t=09s

[Embedding has been disabled for this video, so you'll have to take the link.]

He was unique.

 

[shawnbm]

Really nice read, especially his take on the Wimbledon experience and McEnroe in the final. You gotta love the comment Connors made about the US Open (really, could anyone else have made that statement--and then followed through?). Oh, Jimbo, how I miss seeing you play.

I smiled as I pictured him saying that. It's interesting how many others have also mentioned it. I think it's right up there with, "This is what they pay for. This is what
they want."

http://youtu.be/8oZ4IuutpFY?t=09s

[Embedding has been disabled for this video, so you'll have to take the link.]

He was unique.

I like that last comment, tented--Connors was certainly one of a kind. I stand by my personal belief he was one of if not the best pure striker of the tennis ball I ever saw, along with Roger Federer, if for nothing else apart from the Wilson T-2000 being the most difficult racquet to control of that era or perhaps any era (have you ever tried to hit with that thing?). But, in addition, his hand-eye coordination was remarkable and he had a continental grip on his FH that was problematic with low balls, plus no real weapon of a service--yet, he won more than anyone and was 8-7 in slam finals losing to Borg, McEnroe, Ashe and Orantes--a stellar list indeed. The guy was one of the most thrilling to watch and is the one guy I would want with me if you needed a fellow pro to mix it up with someone who was busting your chops! I miss seeing him play and would have loved to see him take on the guys of today, even with the old racquet.

 

[tented]

I just read it again, Britbox, because I enjoyed it so much the first time.

I would also like to thank Chris Lewis for being so generous with his time, and for providing such detailed and colorful responses. I felt like I was right there as I was reading it.

 

[Kieran]

I just read it again, Britbox, because I enjoyed it so much the first time.

I would also like to thank Chris Lewis for being so generous with his time, and for providing such detailed and colorful responses. I felt like I was right there as I was reading it.

Exactly, I'll second this. He was generous and very insightful and it's worth re-reading because his insiders view is invaluable...

 

[shawnbm]

I third what tented and kieran have noted--the Chris Lewis piece is worth another read. He was and still is a class act.

 

[chrislewis]

I just read it again, Britbox, because I enjoyed it so much the first time.

I would also like to thank Chris Lewis for being so generous with his time, and for providing such detailed and colorful responses. I felt like I was right there as I was reading it.

Hi Tented,

I'm glad you enjoyed the interview. Comments like yours, Kieran's and Shawn's make putting a little time in worthwhile. Thank you.

Chris

 

[Mastoor]

Hi Chris, I so much enjoyed reading this. Thank you for writing it.

Do you coach in California? Any chance to come back to NZ?

 

[the AntiPusher]

I just read it again, Britbox, because I enjoyed it so much the first time.

I would also like to thank Chris Lewis for being so generous with his time, and for providing such detailed and colorful responses. I felt like I was right there as I was reading it.

Hi Tented,

I'm glad you enjoyed the interview. Comments like yours, Kieran's and Shawn's make putting a little time in worthwhile. Thank you.

Chris

Hi Chris.. that was very gracious of you to provide your insight into your historic SW19 run. I remember that match between my idol at the time McEnroe and yourself.. Question, was that the match doing the beginning of the players changeover, John was doing some odd stormtrooper walk down the lines, to the net to get to the players chair,(he was being very superstitious) if my memory is correct.. I was just very young at the time
Again, thanks for the interview and I have also reread it a few times.

 

[chrislewis]

Hi Chris, I so much enjoyed reading this. Thank you for writing it.

Do you coach in California? Any chance to come back to NZ?

Hi Mastoor,

Yes, aside from running Tennis Experts, I coach extensively in Irvine, Southern Cal at the Woodbridge Tennis Club. Chuck Brymer and I run a relatively small, but highly successful junior program supported by a very capable team of coaches. For instance, two weeks ago, two of my students, Gage Brymer (Chuck's son) and Mayo Hibi, respectively won the Boys and Girls 18's Easter Bowl singles. A week later Gage won the CIF Ojai Championships for the third straight time, the first player to achieve a triple win since Bobby Riggs in the thirties.

I'm passionate about the development of junior talent and still love being on court, so running the business and coaching are a perfect blend. I also have a family that keeps me busy every other spare second.

Re your second question, I spent 10 years in NZ prior to moving to SoCal in 2005. With my brother, Mark, I was also heavily involved in junior development in Auckland. After fighting a decade long war with Tennis NZ over their approach to junior development, I am not in a hurry to return to anything that's tennis related. Even though I consider myself 100 per cent a New Zealander, I couldn't be happier where I am at the moment.

Chris

---

I just read it again, Britbox, because I enjoyed it so much the first time.

I would also like to thank Chris Lewis for being so generous with his time, and for providing such detailed and colorful responses. I felt like I was right there as I was reading it.

Hi Tented,

I'm glad you enjoyed the interview. Comments like yours, Kieran's and Shawn's make putting a little time in worthwhile. Thank you.

Chris

Hi Chris.. that was very gracious of you to provide your insight into your historic SW19 run. I remember that match between my idol at the time McEnroe and yourself.. Question, was that the match doing the beginning of the players changeover, John was doing some odd stormtrooper walk down the lines, to the net to get to the players chair,(he was being very superstitious) if my memory is correct.. I was just very young at the time
Again, thanks for the interview and I have also reread it a few times.

Hi AntiPusher

Thank you for your kind words & question. I can't remember anything peculiar about John's gait towards a preferred chair. Although I know I would remember if he'd taken the chair I wanted. I think we both ended up getting our preferred chairs.

Chris

 

[Haelfix]

Here's a question for Chris.

Why do you think that a 2handed backhand necessarily implies that you can't volley well from the backhand side.

I can think of a number of counterexamples, even back in the golden era. In today's game, a player like Andy Murray volleys quite well, despite the 2hander.. A few years back, Santoro did as well.

 

[chrislewis]

Here's a question for Chris.

Why do you think that a 2handed backhand necessarily implies that you can't volley well from the backhand side.

I can think of a number of counterexamples, even back in the golden era. In today's game, a player like Andy Murray volleys quite well, despite the 2hander.. A few years back, Santoro did as well.

Hi Haelfix,

I'm using as my standard the best volleyers of all time. Now, as I mentioned in my interview, it's all about context. Bear in mind that the players you are about to see are using racquets with a head size of 65 sq inches, weigh close to 14 ounces, and have a sweet spot the size of a small, undernourished pea.

http://youtu.be/FquHcwZByWE

It really is worth watching. Bear in mind this is almost 44 years ago. My contention is that there has never been a two handed volleyer who comes close to the backhand volleying ability of the two players in the video.

Kind regards,
Chris

 

[Ricardo]

Here's a question for Chris.

Why do you think that a 2handed backhand necessarily implies that you can't volley well from the backhand side.

I can think of a number of counterexamples, even back in the golden era. In today's game, a player like Andy Murray volleys quite well, despite the 2hander.. A few years back, Santoro did as well.

Hi Haelflix,

I'm using as my standard the best volleyers of all time. Now, as I mentioned in my interview, it's all about context. Bear in mind that the players you are about to see are using racquets with a head size of 65 sq inches, weigh close to 14 ounces, and have a sweet spot the size of a small, undernourished pea.

http://youtu.be/FquHcwZByWE

It really is worth watching. Bear in mind this is almost 44 years ago. My contention is that there has never been a two handed volleyer who comes close to the backhand volleying ability of the two players in the video.

Kind regards,
Chris

Thanks for sharing Chris, absolutely amazing volleys. Last year i went to Indian Wells, and noticed an old gentleman who was having a hit with Sam Querry. He stood at the net, and Querry kept crashing the ball at him fast and low with tonnes of spin, i could hear the sound off Querry's racquet as he absolutely pounded it (no pressure so why not?). I spent a good 20 minutes there, and the guy didn't miss a single volley..... well not the ones he could get his hands on anyway. Nobody can volley like him in the modern game, and he is none other than Tony Roche himself - obviously Laver'd be at least as good. For the non-believers, i think they need to see it in person.... the ones who still practice with current pros, Johnny Mac is another great choice.

I remember that Fed also said himself that Tony volleys 'much better' than him, and he is considered one of the best volleyers in the game.

 

[britbox]

Chris, Great to see you joining the conversation. An invaluable insight for all of us. Enjoyed the Roche/Laver video - volleying at it's finest.

 

[chrislewis]

Here's a question for Chris.

Why do you think that a 2handed backhand necessarily implies that you can't volley well from the backhand side.

I can think of a number of counterexamples, even back in the golden era. In today's game, a player like Andy Murray volleys quite well, despite the 2hander.. A few years back, Santoro did as well.

Hi Haelflix,

I'm using as my standard the best volleyers of all time. Now, as I mentioned in my interview, it's all about context. Bear in mind that the players you are about to see are using racquets with a head size of 65 sq inches, weigh close to 14 ounces, and have a sweet spot the size of a small, undernourished pea.

http://youtu.be/FquHcwZByWE

It really is worth watching. Bear in mind this is almost 44 years ago. My contention is that there has never been a two handed volleyer who comes close to the backhand volleying ability of the two players in the video.

Kind regards,
Chris

Thanks for sharing Chris, absolutely amazing volleys. Last year i went to Indian Wells, and noticed an old gentleman who was having a hit with Sam Querry. He stood at the net, and Querry kept crashing the ball at him fast and low with tonnes of spin, i could hear the sound off Querry's racquet as he absolutely pounded it (no pressure so why not?). I spent a good 20 minutes there, and the guy didn't miss a single volley..... well not the ones he could get his hands on anyway. Nobody can volley like him in the modern game, and he is none other than Tony Roche himself - obviously Laver'd be at least as good. For the non-believers, i think they need to see it in person.... the ones who still practice with current pros, Johnny Mac is another great choice.

I remember that Fed also said himself that Tony volleys 'much better' than him, and he is considered one of the best volleyers in the game.

Hi Ricardo,

When it comes to the backhand volley, it's universally accepted that Tony Roche's was the best of all time. Ken Rosewall also had a magnificent backhand volley. Re watching Tony (who is in his sixties) volley at Indian Wells last year, can you imagine how good those volleys were when he was in his twenties?

Thanks for the story.

Chris

---

Chris, Great to see you joining the conversation. An invaluable insight for all of us. Enjoyed the Roche/Laver video - volleying at it's finest.

Britbox, it's great to be part of it. Just wish there were more hours in the day. Time's something there just isn't enough of.

 

[Kieran]

Thanks again, Chris, really great to have you here. You're right about time, but drop in any time you can and share, it's a real privilege for us to read your posts...

 

[brokenshoelace]

Awesome to have you here, Chris.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Hey Chris, great to have your insights here. I remember that 83 final run and it was special, you being unseeded and all.
I hope you stick around.