Special thanks to the Washington Kastles! Earlier today we got some tennis tips from Bobby Reynolds, Angela Haynes, Murphy Jensen, and Victoria Azarenka (currently ranked 18 in the world) during a Kastles practice session. Tonight they face off with their biggest rivals, the NY Sportimes! Several of the topics included:
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- How to handle high backhands (Reynolds talks about this — we discuss a match he played against Rafael Nadal and some adjustments he made to deal with Rafa’s high-bouncing forehands)
- How tightly should you hold the tennis racket?
- What do you think about during a match? During a point?
- How do you transition from the baseline to the net? What are the key things you should focus on?
This interview got a little crazy when Murphy Jensen jumped in. As you probably know, he’s quite a character and he certainly threw me for a loop. Let us know what you think of the interviews in the comments below!
Also, thanks to everyone who pre-submitted questions!
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Awesome job will, nice to hear from some pros! You're interviewing Rafa next right? Are you going to be filming some of their matches tonight like last week?
Haha don't know when we'll get Rafa. Yes, we filmed their match w/Anna K last night. More videos on the way!
thanks so much will – looking forward to seeing the warmup and practise sessions
m
No prob! The practice session is pretty cool. We'll have it up in the next few days.
Truely no disrespect to B Ray but the basic answer for him as to how to handle the Nadal ball high to bhand is that he doesn't. Rafa wins. That being said, I like his basic answer. Unfortunately, when the opponent can hit out of your strike zone they are already on top in the point so ur coming from behind and have to ask why. If they r just better than u then it's OK. Or is it u giving them opportunities to do what they want with the ball.
I guess if you get a chance to hit a million shots as a professional that by game time you have your technique perfected so it's bad for those guys to think about their form. I, on the other hand, find that I “get ahead of myself” on the court. I start thinking about strategy or the score or whatever and I start making careless form mistakes. At those times, I take some deep breaths and try to think about something simple like watching the ball right up to contact or making a gentle C on my forehand. That usually settles me back down so I can play with some consistency.
Hi Chris. It seems to me, albeit based on limited information, that your issue has more to do with focus / concentration. Simply “watching the ball right up to contact” is going to sharpen your focus. Contrast that with executing a strategy, which requires a good deal of quick thinking — it's easier to lose your concentration.
Thinking about technique can be very dangerous. If you're thinking about the C shape on your forehand — and tying your executing of that motion with the quality of the shot you're hitting — you can quickly become distracted and / or frustrated if your forehand is a little off.
The advantage of thinking gameplan / strategy is that you can make quick adjustments based on the flow of the match. If you turn your match into a problem-solving exercise then you're more likely to keep your focus and maintain a high level of play.
Hey Will, I've got a one-handed BH. Obviously Fed takes it early against Rafa and Ginepri's got a two-hander which may make it easier to wait for the high topspin ball to drop down.
Any specific advice for the one-handers (especially when the opponent is approaching the net high on my bh-side)?
I think Bobby's advice is good for rec players — try to keep the ball below your shoulders. Once it gets too high there simply isn't much you can do. If your opponent is approaching, I would step in and try to take the ball early.
To wait for the high topspin balls to drop is not a good solution. You will be obliged to move back and play from a far distance. Early shoulder turns ,good concentration and hitting the ball on the rise is the best way .
Ugur Sevindik
I definitely understand where you're coming from. You've likely played tennis most of your life and your form is automatic. I'm that way with racquetball, since I played it during my formative years.
Like a lot of folks who didn't start playing tennis until well into adulthood, I just don't have that natural form that's easy to recognize when you see people who learned how to play tennis during childhood. There are lots of us banging around in the the C leagues of ALTA or the 3.0-3.5 of KSwiss or USTA who just don't have the mechanics down pat like you do, and likely never will.
When I'm playing doubles and I see my partner missing really basic shots, I try to get him/her to relax and just think about “doing it like you learned at your lesson”. Move quickly to the ball, turn your shoulders, watch the ball, follow through over your shoulder, etc. For strategy (tactics, really), do little things like “don't hit to the guy in the net” and “keep the ball in play, let them make a mistake”. Thinking too many steps ahead is a sure way for players struggling with the basics to trip over their own feet and ditch a lot of shots into the net.
You probably won't really understand what it's like to have to focus on the basics during crunch time unless you pick up a new sport after your mid-thirties.
Hi Will, I love your videos and your analysis!
…but, PLEASE don't ever email us with the subject line of “Nadal vs Berdych, one day left…” or any Grand Slam Final with the opponents name in it, since MANY of us may have not seen who won the Semi-final match yet! It totally spoiled it for me.
Thank you.
I do understand where you're coming from. If you're still in your formative stages it's fine to focus on a couple simple points of technique. As I said above, things like “watch the ball” are just fine. However, many players run into trouble by over thinking w/regard to technique. It's easy to become frustrated when things aren't working and that can blow up your entire game.
Duly noted, thanks!
Will, I have to say you managed very well on the first interview when you have the three of them around you, I will have probably lost it completely, well done.
nice job will, you are good man!
great to feel the atmosphere where the players practice
Will- Great job. Good to see how your site has grown and developed over the years. Fine work. Enjoyed the videos and your comfortable interview style.
This was very helpful! Thank you
Yup this happens to me, especially on balls where I have a lot of time to think about it.
Hmm, not sure I liked the MJ & VA input on that interview. Less educational. Understand why they just wanted to appear funny but we are after 'real' tips from the top players and I suspect you are too Will. S
Definitely great job. But, Will you should be prepared for changing conditions (Like Murphy)
Great questions Will! It appears that your relaxed interview style, translates to the players, they feel very comfortable with you, and therefore are forthcoming with all their tips on play, footwork, mental attitude etc. Good on you!
Will, you did your best & you was the best, but the talk with Angela & Azarenka was completely useless. Otherwise, Bobby's talk was good.
Hey Samsamsay. Thanks for the kind words. But I have to respectfully disagree. I think Angela's point about developing muscle memory and focusing on a strategy / tactics during a match vs your technique was very valuable. And Azarenka talked about about being in control when she transitions to net. You don't simply want to run up there as fast as possible — you need to move forward in a way that keeps you balanced and allows you to move quickly / explosively to the volley.
Thanks! Any suggestions on what I could do better would be appreciated!
Hard to anticipate what MJ is going to say… he tries to keep you off balance!
I like how you aren't afraid to ask very specific, technical questions and you phrase them well. I love hearing answers to those questions myself but can never ask them well and people get annoyed.
Thanks a lot!
It's pretty cool getting advices from such pro players, and I really liked the fact that you brought our questions to them.
Keep up the good work!
nice interviews
the first one didnt give much informetion
tho one with Bobby Reynolds was better
Oh come on Will, don't be so serious! Just roll with Murph's wackniness!!!
Sometimes you roll with it… Sometimes it's better to be serious =)
Hi Will,
Good job! But with the green shirt you reminded me of Kermit the Frog when he did his “News Flash” man (frog) on the scene reports! Love the site.
Hi Will, I appreciate what you're doing for us.
Got a question here.
In the video above Bobby pointed out about a wrist snap.
Although, watching your initial video on forehand it seems to me that you had (I'd say) a loose grip and a firm wrist at the contact point and I didn't see the snap.
Am I missing something?
Hey Max, thanks! “Wrist snap” is a loaded term. Bobby is referring to creating racket-head speed through pronation (which is the rotation of the wrist and forearm as one piece). He doesn't mean a snap… i.e. the wrist breaking as if you were shooting a basketball.
Thanks Will,
as always you make it clear and simple.
Keep it up.
Hello Will,
The quality of your work is excellent in your web site, videos, and interviews. I learned something in both of the videos justed viewed. In my match this morning I am going to try to focus on my split step and keep moving forward! Thank you very much.
Lauri
Awesome, thanks! Let me know how it goes.
You should have cut the video when baldie came and screwed everything up. That part is a waste of time.
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