The Greatest Groundstrokes of the Modern Era

[brokenshoelace]

No, this isn't an opinion thread about what do you think are the greatest ground strokes of the modern era although feel free to make it that way. This is my valentine's day gift for the forums:

It's a thread about the two greatest ground strokes of the modern era. Between them, these two shots have won a combined 31 slams. So let all the Fedal fans get along on this loving day (which I think is the stupidest holiday in existence, but I digress), and watch two 20 minute videos (each) about the greatest foreahands Federer hit in Grand Slams, and the greatest forehands Nadal hit in Grand Slams. Honestly, I almost got emotional watching this. The nostalgia

Federer:

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMJLCXxyPoA[/video]

Nadal:

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plGC4-9FmmA[/video]


We can go back to fighting tomorrow.

 

[brokenshoelace]

PS: Can any moderator please adjust the links above so that the video shows in the OP instead of having to click on the link and go to youtube. I don't know why I can't make it work that way.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Thanks BS. As a Federer fan who actually likes Rafa as well, this is a forehand love fest. As far as Valentines day, I told my wife 15 years ago, if she agreed to being loved less and made to be felt less special every other day, I WOULD make her Valentines day special. She was smart and said no. Now for us, it is just another day.

 

[tented]

PS: Can any moderator please adjust the links above so that the video shows in the OP instead of having to click on the link and go to youtube. I don't know why I can't make it work that way.

Done.

 

[Kirijax]

PS: Can any moderator please adjust the links above so that the video shows in the OP instead of having to click on the link and go to youtube. I don't know why I can't make it work that way.

Done.

I haven't been able to figure out how to do that either.

 

[Luxilon Borg]

Federer and Nadal's forehands were the two most dominant strokes from 2004 to 2012, give or take.

 

[britbox]

Great vids but I'd suggest expanding the thread to the greatest strokes in different categories - backhand (single and double h), serve, second serve, forehand volley, backhand volley, swing volley, drop volley, lob etc. Don't want to hijack the thread, but just a thought.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

In his prime days,Federer to me had the best inside out fhand Ever

Just a pleasure to watch....btw not saying it isn't that bad today....

 

[brokenshoelace]

Great vids but I'd suggest expanding the thread to the greatest strokes in different categories - backhand (single and double h), serve, second serve, forehand volley, backhand volley, swing volley, drop volley, lob etc. Don't want to hijack the thread, but just a thought.

That should give the thread more life, so let's do it.

I'll arbitrarily define the modern era since the turn of the millennium (2000) just for the sake of originality as we've discussed all time great ground strokes before. And since you brought up the serve, let's make this "best shots" as opposed to "best ground strokes."

Forehand: See above.

Single handed backhand: Federer, especially when you factor in his sliced backhand. I don't want to hear about Gasquet.

Double handed backhand: Djokovic. Although Safin and Nalbandian, when on, are up there. But Djokovic's versatility, his ability to hit it on the run, from defensive positions, passing shots, etc...seal it for him IMO.

First Serve: Karlovic, Isner, Roddick, in that order. Roddick gets a bad rap around these parts, but his serve kept him relevant on the tour for a LONG time. Honorable mention to Federer.

Second Serve: Isner, Roddick, Federer in that order.

Forehand volley: Tough one. I really can't think of many whose forehand volley stands out. Maybe Federer, Llordra, and Tsonga.

Backhand volley: Federer, Stepanek.

Drop volley: Tsonga.

Swing volley: Nalbandian (very underrated in that regard) and the doubles experts.

Lob: Hewitt, Murray, Fedalokovic in that order. Honorable mention to Nalbandian.

 

[auto-pilot]

I try not to anoint "greatest of the modern era" or "greatest of all-time", because there is never any conclusive evidence to put one player over the other, and anointing ONE therefore needlessly disrespects (and downgrades) the other all-time great players.

 

[Kirijax]

Forehand: Berdych (perfect form and so powerful)

Forehand topspin: Borg. (that loopy swing)

Single handed backhand: McEnroe (so weird it was beautiful)

Single handed backhand slice: Wilander (loved the way it drove Lendl nuts)

Double handed backhand: Djokovic/Nadal tie. So consistent and accurate.

First Serve: Roddick (there's a clay court in Europe that will never forget it)

Second Serve: Sampras. (When in trouble, that's the serve you want)

Forehand volley: Becker (always entertaining)

Backhand volley: Edberg (so natural)

Drop volley: McEnroe (genius touch)

Swing volley: (I need to get that swing volley Berdych hit vs. Simon at Rotterdam first)

Lob: Hewitt comes to mind first.

 

[Billie]

I may be biased but nowadays Nole's defence to offence from both sides, especially backhand is extraordinary. I have never seen so many stretched forehands and especially backhands from a tennis player before. Just when you think he won't make it, he not only hits it, but with interest too. When I see him give a bit extra to get to these, I know he is in good condition to fight.

Here is a video of his top 10 points last year, made by a fan of his:

[video=youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehfNra5K90I[/video]

 

[Kirijax]

When I think of Djokovic, none of his shots are the best on the tour. I'm not saying he's average, but none of his shots blow you away like Wawrinka's backhand or Berdych's forehand. But he retrieves balls likes nobody I've ever seen. It's uncanny. The ball just keeps coming back and that's gotta ear on you after a while. Like the Murray meltdown in the Australian Open.

 

[auto-pilot]

When I think of Djokovic, none of his shots are the best on the tour. I'm not saying he's average, but none of his shots blow you away like Wawrinka's backhand or Berdych's forehand. But he retrieves balls likes nobody I've ever seen. It's uncanny. The ball just keeps coming back and that's gotta ear on you after a while. Like the Murray meltdown in the Australian Open.

I agree, this is very true.
That's why we see the final set (be it 4th set or 5th set) being a bagel or breadstick quite often, as Djokovic's opponent got melt.

 

[DarthFed]

When I think of Djokovic, none of his shots are the best on the tour. I'm not saying he's average, but none of his shots blow you away like Wawrinka's backhand or Berdych's forehand. But he retrieves balls likes nobody I've ever seen. It's uncanny. The ball just keeps coming back and that's gotta ear on you after a while. Like the Murray meltdown in the Australian Open.

You're mistaking power for all around effectiveness IMO. Djokovic has hands down the best backhand (single or 2HBH) and return in the game.

 

[Kirijax]

When I think of Djokovic, none of his shots are the best on the tour. I'm not saying he's average, but none of his shots blow you away like Wawrinka's backhand or Berdych's forehand. But he retrieves balls likes nobody I've ever seen. It's uncanny. The ball just keeps coming back and that's gotta ear on you after a while. Like the Murray meltdown in the Australian Open.

You're mistaking power for all around effectiveness IMO. Djokovic has hands down the best backhand (single or 2HBH) and return in the game.

I'm not talking about just power. Accuracy, placement, timing, all come into play. I do think that Djokovic's backhand is very accurate. But his service return doesn't stand out from the others so much. His real strength seems to come out the longer the rally goes on.

 

[Federberg]

^I beg to differ. Novak's returns are astonishing. Best I've ever seen. Some folks talk about Murray or Agassi in this regard. But Novak puts pressure from the return. You have to watch closely. He isn't trying to win the point, but he hits the ball deep and forces the server back. Agassi in particular tried to be too aggressive on the return, so was no where near as consistently potent as Novak

But I do agree with you that it's easy to think of Novak as not having the best shot in any category. He's just up there in every single category with no discernible weakness. There's just simply no where to go against him. His weakness can be mental sometimes, but when he's in the zone he is a frightening prospect.

Point ending forehand : Federer
Pressure forehand : Rafa
Best double handed backhand : Novak
Best single handed backhand : Wawrinka
Best slice backhand : Federer
Best first serve : Karlovic
Best second serve : Isner
Best clutch first serve : Federer
Best forehand overhead smash : Rafa
Best backhand overhead smash : Federer (best of all time imho)

 

[Kirijax]

^I beg to differ. Novak's returns are astonishing. Best I've ever seen. Some folks talk about Murray or Agassi in this regard. But Novak puts pressure from the return. You have to watch closely. He isn't trying to win the point, but he hits the ball deep and forces the server back. Agassi in particular tried to be too aggressive on the return, so was no where near as consistently potent as Novak

But I do agree with you that it's easy to think of Novak as not having the best shot in any category. He's just up there in every single category with no discernible weakness. There's just simply no where to go against him. His weakness can be mental sometimes, but when he's in the zone he is a frightening prospect.

Point ending forehand : Federer
Pressure forehand : Rafa
Best double handed backhand : Novak
Best single handed backhand : Wawrinka
Best slice backhand : Federer
Best first serve : Karlovic
Best second serve : Isner
Best clutch first serve : Federer
Best forehand overhead smash : Rafa
Best backhand overhead smash : Federer (best of all time imho)

The only thing about Djokovic's game that used to scare me were his overheads but I think he's overcome that little glitch in his game.

 

[Federberg]

^I beg to differ. Novak's returns are astonishing. Best I've ever seen. Some folks talk about Murray or Agassi in this regard. But Novak puts pressure from the return. You have to watch closely. He isn't trying to win the point, but he hits the ball deep and forces the server back. Agassi in particular tried to be too aggressive on the return, so was no where near as consistently potent as Novak

But I do agree with you that it's easy to think of Novak as not having the best shot in any category. He's just up there in every single category with no discernible weakness. There's just simply no where to go against him. His weakness can be mental sometimes, but when he's in the zone he is a frightening prospect.

Point ending forehand : Federer
Pressure forehand : Rafa
Best double handed backhand : Novak
Best single handed backhand : Wawrinka
Best slice backhand : Federer
Best first serve : Karlovic
Best second serve : Isner
Best clutch first serve : Federer
Best forehand overhead smash : Rafa
Best backhand overhead smash : Federer (best of all time imho)

The only thing about Djokovic's game that used to scare me were his overheads but I think he's overcome that little glitch in his game.

:clap Lol! It's still a horrific weakness imho

 

[Kirijax]

^I beg to differ. Novak's returns are astonishing. Best I've ever seen. Some folks talk about Murray or Agassi in this regard. But Novak puts pressure from the return. You have to watch closely. He isn't trying to win the point, but he hits the ball deep and forces the server back. Agassi in particular tried to be too aggressive on the return, so was no where near as consistently potent as Novak

But I do agree with you that it's easy to think of Novak as not having the best shot in any category. He's just up there in every single category with no discernible weakness. There's just simply no where to go against him. His weakness can be mental sometimes, but when he's in the zone he is a frightening prospect.

Point ending forehand : Federer
Pressure forehand : Rafa
Best double handed backhand : Novak
Best single handed backhand : Wawrinka
Best slice backhand : Federer
Best first serve : Karlovic
Best second serve : Isner
Best clutch first serve : Federer
Best forehand overhead smash : Rafa
Best backhand overhead smash : Federer (best of all time imho)

The only thing about Djokovic's game that used to scare me were his overheads but I think he's overcome that little glitch in his game.

:clap Lol! It's still a horrific weakness imho

haha I still hold my breath when he gets ready to hit one. :snicker