[Satasonic]

I dont really know how to call this, but he didnt do it before. Today, for example, when he saw that Murray was starting to dictate the points in the second and third set tiebreaks, he started to push, almost like Simon. It was actually a good plan, because Murray made really bad errors. He didnt use to do this in the past, but now he uses all sorts of puffballs and moonballs to throw the opponent off pace. Another example was the minibreak in the third set tiebreak, Murray put a good serve in which Milos returned short, but then Murray failed terribly on the forehand.

Anyone else noticed it?

[m9m9m9m9m9]

yes, Milos has a tendency to resort to "pushing mode" at critical moment when he's not feeling good with his attacking game. Not sure if this is a good thing

[Satasonic]

Oh, its an excellent thing to have pushing mixed in with attacking tennis. On these slow courts and slow conditions in today's tennis it is critical to have some sort of defence to return to. Movement will never be Milos' strength, therefore he needs to have pushing in order to return into position.


If you take yesterdays match with Tipsarevic, at 7-7 (?) he pushed and pushed but then released an amazing backhand which Tipsarevic wasnt even ready to. Today was the same against Murray, paid off well in the end.

[MaratandMilos]

Yeah, he's able to adequately push. I don't like when he does it, though (it's usually a sign that he's nervous). He can get by doing it against lesser players who are more prone to errors. But if he wants to win against the top, true elite regularly in the future, he has to end points quickly and not try to out-rally guys like Djokovic, Federer, Murray, and Ferrer. He did that pretty well with his attacks today against Andy.

[Kat_YYZ]

Originally Posted by MaratandMilos

Yeah, he's able to adequately push. I don't like when he does it, though (it's usually a sign that he's nervous). He can get by doing it against lesser players who are more prone to errors. But if he wants to win against the top, true elite regularly in the future, he has to end points quickly and not try to out-rally guys like Djokovic, Federer, Murray, and Ferrer. He did that pretty well with his attacks today against Andy.

this is true in essence. but it leads to a kind of confidence crisis that leads a player like Milos into errors. he tries to hit a winner where there isn't one available (he's out of position, or the margin is too small). "Oh my God, I'm in a rally!! I have to end it right away!!! " That's not a healthy mindset.

It's good to be able to construct a point, and to have the confidence to hit a few "pushing" shots back until you get the shot you want, on which you can unload.

In principle, yes, he should end the points early, and not seek to play long points. But he mustn't give off the impression that he's "afraid" of rallies.

[Marcoo]

I don't know, If yes than congrats to him

[romismak]

Yes he is pushing already some time, actually in many matches in last months he was to passive, staying far behind baseline and from BH mostly he is pushing, but here in Tokyo he is playing nice agressive tennis - powerfull hitting from both wings, even his BH DTL is clicking, but some pushing is good to slow down rallies, but agree he can´t do it vs top players, they won´t give him many errors. But it can work sometimes - definitely he can´t play offensive tennis going for winners all the time-especially in moments-games when he is missing and making UE - than going to pushing mode for some rallies is maybe right solution. But mostly he should be agressive player - big hitter, even on return he should go for his shots, he has one of most powerfull groundstrokes so unless he is playing another big hitter he should be the one dictating and creating pace, playing agressive.

[Sombrerero loco]

yeah, he improved his movement a little bit too. it will take time though

[Burrow]

I like how when Raonic is beating guys ranked below him and then beats a great player his movement has all of a sudden improved.

I also like how when Raonic loses crucial points by standing 10 feet behind the baseline and moonballing, it's a bad tactic, but when he gets away with it, he's all of a sudden improved in this aspect of "pushing" and it has become a good tactic.

Typical members of this forum

[TBkeeper]

Originally Posted by Burrow

I like how when Raonic is beating guys ranked below him and then beats a great player his movement has all of a sudden improved.

I also like how when Raonic loses crucial points by standing 10 feet behind the baseline and moonballing, it's a bad tactic, but when he gets away with it, he's all of a sudden improved in this aspect of "pushing" and it has become a good tactic.

Typical members of this forum

True story

[atennisfan]

Originally Posted by Burrow

I like how when Raonic is beating guys ranked below him and then beats a great player his movement has all of a sudden improved.

I also like how when Raonic loses crucial points by standing 10 feet behind the baseline and moonballing, it's a bad tactic, but when he gets away with it, he's all of a sudden improved in this aspect of "pushing" and it has become a good tactic.

Typical members of this forum

+1

[Moozza]

Murray just gave him the errors today. If Andy had played decently Raonics pushing would have lost him the match.

[MaxPower]

Raonic is still improving but he should never rely on pushing to win matches. That should only be his desperation weapon if the normal game doesn't work.

His strength is good serve and heavy groundstrokes. Movement is OK but it will never be his strength

[StatRacket]

Originally Posted by Satasonic

I dont really know how to call this, but he didnt do it before. Today, for example, when he saw that Murray was starting to dictate the points in the second and third set tiebreaks, he started to push, almost like Simon. It was actually a good plan, because Murray made really bad errors. He didnt use to do this in the past, but now he uses all sorts of puffballs and moonballs to throw the opponent off pace. Another example was the minibreak in the third set tiebreak, Murray put a good serve in which Milos returned short, but then Murray failed terribly on the forehand.

Anyone else noticed it?

This rally cracks me up, especially as it is in a so called highlights reel (granted it is set point):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtRy6k9-0Cg#t=3m44s

[Orange Wombat]

Originally Posted by StatRacket

This rally cracks me up, especially as it is in a so called highlights reel (granted it is set point):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtRy6k9-0Cg#t=3m44s

Raonic plays like a claycourter sometimes, running around to hit his forehand and with lots of spin